You may open the institutional policies and statements section in a new window to read/print out them as needed.

Acquiring Textbooks and Course Materials

Textbooks and Course Materials

Textbook information can be found on the NOVA Online Bookstore Website.  For complete directions, including where to go to buy textbooks in person, see the NOVA Online web site.

You are required to purchase only the items marked Required. Other items marked Bookstore Recommended are optional. Uncheck the box next to each item you do not wish to purchase before proceeding with your order.

Caution: ebooks may not work for open-book assessments. Check out the Proctored Assessments Module or contact your instructor if you have any questions about the use of an ebook for open-book assessments in this class.

Notes for SSDL Students

SSDL students may purchase their textbooks from their campus bookstore or from the NOVA Online Bookstore Website. However, SSDL students using financial aid to pay for their books must purchase from their campus bookstore. Be sure to check the NOVA Online Bookstore Website for the ISBN number for the required textbook to ensure that you are buying the correct textbook from your campus bookstore. If you have any questions, please contact your home college liaison.

You may be required to access linked library resources for this course.  When clicking on these links, you may be prompted to log in.

For questions or concerns, please email the NOVA Online Librarian.

Technology Tools and Technical Support

Online IT Support information

Office 365: NOVA students have access to Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus for free. It is available for both PC users and Mac users. Remember, Microsoft Office 365 is a subscription-based cloud service and is only free while a student. You can find more information about Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus on its website.

You can access Office 365 by going to: http://office.vccs.edu. Use your full VCCS student email address as your username (username@email.vccs.edu) , and your VCCS student password to log into the site. This is the password you use to login at My NOVA for access to student email, Canvas, and NovaConnect. Then follow Microsoft’s directions to set up the software.

If you need assistance with the access to Microsoft Office 365, please check the Microsoft Website above and contact Microsoft.

Google Apps: Your VCCS email is packaged with Google Apps, including Docs, Slides, Calendar, etc. You may check out the main features you have available to use by visiting the Google Apps for Education website.

Zoom:

 

Your Email Account

Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) faculty, staff, and administrators communicate with students through their official NVCC email accounts (_______@nvcc.edu). Students are likewise required to use their VCCS email accounts (________@email.vccs.edu) to communicate with instructors and other college personnel and should check their email accounts regularly. You are required to use this email account for any course-related email communication so that we can ensure your privacy as required by law. If you don't know your VCCS email address, go to My NOVA and look for your address.

To log on to your email account and check for mail, go to the Email Login Page. Enter your complete email address as your user name. Use the same password as you use to log into VCCS systems (your date of birth in MMDDYY format, or your current password if you have changed it). If you need help, refer to the instructions on using student email.

Your email is how your instructor will inform you of grades; approaching due dates; or other private, course-related information. The instructor will also reply to your emails at your VCCS account and will not accept or respond to email sent by you from any account other than the one provided by the VCCS.

NOVA Student Resources

FREE Tutoring!

NOVA’s Tutoring Centers offer free in-person and virtual tutoring to all NOVA Nighthawks. To request an appointment for one-on-one tutoring, either in-person or via Zoom, log in to myNOVA to select EAB Navigate.

In addition to in-person tutoring, 24/7 Tutoring is an online tutoring service that Northern Virginia Community College offers for free to all students. 24/7 Tutoring provides tutoring in a variety of subjects, many of which are available 24/7. To access 24/7 Tutoring, click on the 24/7 Tutoring link located in your course on the navigation menu.

Career Services

The College is committed to providing career services to all students as part of the comprehensive educational journey. Career Services assists students with exploring, developing and setting goals related to each student’s unique educational and academic needs. These services include career assessments, occupational information, goal setting, planning and employment resources. You can request an appointment with a career counselor.

Office of Wellness and Mental Health

During your time at NOVA, you may experience challenges including struggles with academics, finances, or your personal well-being. NOVA has support resources available. Please contact the Office of Wellness and Mental Health if you are seeking resources and support, or if you are worried about a friend or classmate.

Financial Stability and Advocacy Centers

The Financial Stability and Advocacy Centers provide assistance to students who are experiencing financial hardships that might prevent the students’ academic success. The personnel at the Financial Stability and Advocacy Centers work with students to identify college or community services available. For more information, please visit the Financial Stability and Advocacy Centers webpage, or contact the office by calling 703.323.3450 or emailing financialstability@nvcc.edu.

Remote Student Support

If you need academic assistance or need college services but cannot make it to campus, please review NOVA’s Remote Student Support Services to receive virtual assistance. Services provided include enrollment services, advising, tutoring, and financial aid assistance.

Emergency Preparedness

Information on what to do in case of an emergency can be found on NOVA’s Office of Emergency Planning and Management (OEPM) website.

SSDL Student Resources

 

Student Rights & Responsibilities

Students should be familiar with the college's specific expectations concerning the conduct of its students. These expectations apply to all students (part-time or full-time) attending NOVA. Student Rights and Responsibilities are outlined in the NOVA Student Handbook (opens in a new window).

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity requires that you recognize and acknowledge information derived from others and take credit only for ideas and work that are yours. It should be the guiding principle for all that you do, from taking assessments and making presentations to writing papers. More about academic integrity at NOVA can be reviewed on the Student Conduct and Integrity page on the NOVA website.

Violating the Academic Integrity Policy will incur consequences. Your instructor may give you a failing grade for the assignment or for the course. Further, you may be reported for an academic integrity violation, reported to an academic dean, or even referred to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action depending on how serious an infraction was committed.

Taking Proctored Assessments

NOVA Student Code of Academic Integrity

As a NOVA student, you should use academic integrity as the guiding principle for all that you do, from taking assessments and making presentations to writing papers. It requires that you recognize and acknowledge information derived from others and take credit only for ideas and work that are yours.

You violate this principle of academic integrity if you:

Since online courses and online requirements vary, your professor will help you understand what does and does not constitute cheating in your course and on your proctored assessments. Be sure to ask your professor if you aren’t sure.

If you violate the Academic Integrity Policy, your professor may give you a failing grade for the assignment or for the course. Further, you may be reported for an academic integrity violation, reported to an academic dean, or even referred to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action depending on how serious an infraction was committed. Be sure to educate yourself about academic integrity at NOVA by reviewing the Student Conduct and Integrity page on the NOVA website.

Taking Proctored Assessments

Important: A webcam is required in order to take the Proctored Assessments in online courses at NOVA. Please check the Proctored Assessments module in the course and review the college’s minimum technology standards by pathway/school early on to be sure you will have everything you need in place to successfully complete your proctored assessments. 

Speak with your professor if you have any issues with taking a proctored assessment (such as privacy concerns, equipment problems, or inability to attend a synchronous assessment session). Professors are often able to work with you to meet your individual needs.

In addition to working with your professor, you may use the NOVA Online proctor request process to create a special arrangement, such as taking an assessment at a nearby college testing center or military installation (for deployed students). Visit the student forms dashboard to fill out a request. Please note you must allow up to 5 business days for NOVA Online staff to process a completed request. Delays in submitting your request and delays in response to the verification process with your proctor may result in missed assessments and grade penalties.

If you are enrolled in this course through a different Virginia Community College other than NOVA (SSDL), you may contact your home college liaison for proctoring instructions about how to test at your home college.

Faculty will always work with students to implement their Office of Disability Services approved Memoranda of Accommodations (MOA), which may impact how your proctored assessments are given. Please reach out to your professor to discuss specific needs for the course and for course testing at the start of the semester to ensure you are fully supported.

Accommodation Policy and Statements

NOVA is committed to ensuring all students have an opportunity to pursue a college education regardless of the presence or absence of a disability. Information on NOVA’s Accommodations and Accessibility Services,  including how to reach an Accommodations and Accessibility Services counselor, can be found at Accommodations and Accessibility Services.

Under Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), disability services are available to currently enrolled students who have a documented disability that substantially limits them in one or more of life's major activities and who are otherwise academically qualified.  Students requesting disability accommodations for a NOVA Online course follow the same procedures as students requesting accommodations for a NOVA campus-based course. Please carefully review the information on NOVA's Accommodations and Accessibility Services website. Students applying for accommodations for the first time will find instructions for completing and submitting the application on the Accommodations and Accessibility Services page.

Many of the activities in this course take place within the Canvas learning management system.  You can learn more about the accessibility of Canvas here:

The materials and activities are as accessible as possible with reasonable effort as outlined in the American with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504.

NOVA Online (NOL) Policies and Procedures

Students are responsible for knowing and following the policies in the Student Handbook. The following includes highlights that students should be aware of as they begin a course.

Emergency and Safety Information

Review NOVA’s updated emergency and safety information.

COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 information and updates can be found on the Stay Safe with Ace webpage.

Prerequisite Verification Statement

As noted in the Course Prerequisites Policy, some courses have prerequisite or corequisite requirements that are established to foster a student’s success in the course. Students may not enroll in a course for which they do not meet the prerequisites by the time the course begins or for which they do not simultaneously enroll in any corequisite. Students may be administratively dropped from any course for which they have not met the prerequisite. If a course has a prerequisite, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure completion of this pre-requisite course first. Any student needing assistance in determining prerequisite or corequisite requirements can reach out to their faculty member or Campus Academic Division office for support.

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid are expected to attend and complete all classes. Withdrawing from a class can dramatically impact your financial aid status and may require repayment. To understand the impact of withdrawing from a course, please review pages 13-17 of the Financial Aid Handbook.

Time Zone

NOVA Online assignment due dates are based on Eastern Time (ET).

Use these directions to change the Time Zone in your Canvas settings to stay on track with assignments.

Closing Information

NOVA announces campus and college closings on the NOVA homepage. You can also receive notification by cell phone or email if you register for NOVA Alert. Also review NOVA’s guidance on emergency closings, delayed openings, and continuation of instruction.

If a course is canceled due to a weather event or other unforeseen situation, check the course Canvas site or NOVA email as soon as possible for instructions and assignments to avoid falling behind in coursework. You are expected to be up to date with all assignments the next time the class meets.

Course Drop/Withdrawal Policy

Please note these important deadlines related to your enrollment in a course:

Dropping a course after the census date and before the withdrawal date will result in a “W” grade appearing on your transcript. To identify these dates for your courses, please visit the College Academic Calendar and scroll down to the specific session for your course. Please note that any drops or withdrawals from a course may impact financial aid, International Student status, or military benefits. Students with questions should check with the appropriate offices.

TITLE IX

Title IX is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs, activities, admission, and employment. Complaints of sex-based discrimination, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual or gender-based harassment are governed by the Title IX Policy. For information about Title IX or to make a report, please visit the Office of Title IX.

NOL Website

The NOVA Online Web Site will answer many general questions about NOVA Online and the courses available through us. Please also read for the policies that govern your enrollment and the services available to you. 

Call the NOVA Online Hotline at (703) 323-3347 or 1-888-4DL-NVCC (1-888-435-6822) if you are unable to find the answers to your questions or if you need further information.