Online Learning

We’re excited to have you here at Hazard Community & Technical College.

Here are the steps you need to get started with Online Learning (OL) as a new student.

Step 1: Create Your Username and Password

Make sure you save your username and password. This is what you will use to login to all of your HCTC websites. It will look something like this:

Username: jdoe0123

• (first initial, last name, four digits)

Password: Ch@ng3Me2024!

• It should be a combination of at least 12 characters, with at least one upper case, one lower case, one number, and one special character. It cannot contain your name or username in the password.

Step 2: Check Your Student Self-Service (SSS)

Log into MyPath and check your Student Self Service.

• Check your To-Do List by clicking on “Tasks” from your Student Homepage.
• Check your course schedule for class days & times.
• Check your class notes to see if they are live stream, in-person, or completely online.
• Watch the walk-through of your student self-service account.

Step 3: Check Your Financial Aid Status or Make Payment Arrangements

To learn more about tuition, financial aid, ways to pay for college, the status of your financial aid award, and more, check out HCTC’s Affording College page.

Payment plans allow you to pay for your tuition costs throughout the semester instead of all at once. If you want to know how to create a payment plan or pay an outstanding bill, check out the Payment Plan page.

Step 4: Find and Review Your Schedule

You can use this Student Self-Service guide to show you how to access your schedule.

Step 5: Check Your Student Email

All your communications with advisors, financial aid, instructors, and other departments at HCTC will use email, since it is the official way HCTC communicates with you. You should check your email frequently (once a day is a good habit to develop).

You can have your student email on your iPhone or Andriod or you can access it through webmail.  

Email usually takes 24 hours after enrolling in your courses to become active.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Online Learning (OL) can be a great way to earn your degree around your busy lifestyle and personal or professional responsibilities. However, online learning requires a few basic skills to be able to succeed. You should work to develop or improve these skills to do well in online courses.

1. Self-motivation / Self-direction / Self-advocacy
2. Effective time management
3. Strong communication skills
4. Strong note-taking skills
5. Strong reading and comprehension skills
6. Creative problem-solving skills

Developing these skills helps you to work through technological challenges, difficulties balancing work and life responsibilities, and the academic requirements of online learning.

You do not have to be an expert in these areas by any means, but you do need to realize that online learning requires you plan your time wisely and work through issues when you may not be able to get an immediate answer to your questions.

There are multiple ways HCTC delivers online learning.

1. 100% Online
   1. Designed for students who need flexibility in their schedules to focus on their education outside of traditional classroom times.
   2. Course work can be accessed and completed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
   3. Classes follow a schedule based on the instructor's syllabus and course schedule.
   4. Connect with the instructor and other students virtually through our learning management system and other technologies.
   5. Completely online students pay in-state tuition rates.
2. Online Live Classroom
   1. Live classroom sessions require students to join on specific days and times.
   2. The instructor meets with the students in a virtual classroom setting.
   3. The instruction is in real time.
   4. Students participate in the course live from anywhere.
   5. Connect with the instructor and other students online.
   6. Completely online students pay in-state tuition rates.
3. Hybrid Courses
   1. Hybrid courses are designed for students who need some flexibility in their schedules but still want some in-person class meetings.
   2. Reduced time on campus with a portion of the class requirements completed online.
   3. Connect with the instructor and students on campus and online.

There are many benefits to online courses. Here are a few of them:

1. Save money
1. You don’t have to spend as much money on transportation.
2. You can eat at home rather than eating at restaurants.
3. You don’t have to worry about childcare fees while taking classes.
2. Flexibility
1. Access course work anytime, anywhere over the internet.
2. Online students can take courses without interfering with their work schedules.
3. Scheduling your course work and study time allows for conveniences you can’t get with traditional in-person class experiences.
3. Additional Benefits
1. Online courses help students develop and improve their time management, self-direction, self-motivation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills—all essential skills for today’s job market.
2. You can interact with students of diverse backgrounds which broadens your perspective.
3. You can learn as much or more in online courses as you can in traditional classes depending on your effort, participation, and desire to learn.

You must have the following items to be able to successfully work in online courses.

1. A laptop or desktop computer
1. Windows or Mac is preferred.
2. Chromebooks are strongly discouraged as they present challenges to all but the most proficient computer users.
2. A stable internet connection
1. HCTC recommends a broadband connection of at least 10 mbps.
2. A hard-wired connection (an ethernet cable plugged into your internet router) is recommended.
3. Wi-Fi can be used if you have a strong signal.
3. Basic computing skills
1. Send emails.
2. Access the internet.
3. Saving, editing, deleting, and uploading files.
4. Be able to use Microsoft Office to create and submit assignment files.
5. A webcam
6. A microphone

You may also be required to take proctored exams as part of your courses. These can be administered remotely with Respondus. You will need a webcam and microphone for those exams. You may be able to take proctored exams in person at one of our campuses in lieu of using Respondus.

Yes. HCTC Online, Success Coaches, tutors, and your instructors are available to help you with any issues you encounter with getting started or working in your online courses. Just send an email or schedule an appointment with your instructor or a representative from one of those departments.

Since courses are online, I can do them whenever I want, right?

Yes and no. Courses follow a set schedule determined by your instructor. You may have specific due dates for assignments, discussion boards, quizzes, and other work in the class. However, because the course is online, you can do your work at your convenience within the range of time your instructor allows.

For example, if today is Monday and you have a paper due on Saturday, you may work on it any time between those days. Wednesday at 3:00 am? Yep, that works. Friday night? Sure! Monday during lunch? Yeah, that is fine. Sunday afternoon? Nope, that’s beyond the due date.

So, you do have flexibility as to when you can complete your work if you do so during the time your instructor allows for your assignments. Courses and instructors may vary their times and due dates, so always check your syllabus and online course for when you need to submit assignments.