Early College is an initiative from The University of Alabama that gives high school students the opportunity to earn college credit in a dynamic online learning environment, with the UA standard of excellence. Early College students are non-degree-seeking students, which means that they can earn credit without declaring a major.
Early College courses are offered online in every term (fall, spring and summer). In addition to online study, Early College offers its students the opportunity to take courses on campus during the summer.

Early College students who complete a course with a passing grade earn the same academic credit as on-campus college students. Just like on-campus college students, Early College students earn their college credit in each term that they complete courses. Early College courses form part of a student’s permanent academic transcript.

The UAEC 200 Gateway course is a two-credit hour course. Most Early College courses are three credit hours, while some courses, such as those in the Natural Sciences (e.g. Biology) and Foreign Languages (e.g. Japanese) have additional lab work or practicum components that earn an additional hour of credit.

Yes. Because UA Early College courses and instructors meet SACS accreditation guidelines, UAEC credit transfers broadly to many institutions, both public and private, in and out of state. Furthermore, because all Early College courses meet the State of Alabama’s general education curriculum guidelines, credit earned through Early College is transferrable to any two- or four-year public institution of higher education within the state. All courses are taught by SACS-accredited instructors..

No. You do not have to attend The University of Alabama as a freshman. Your UA Early College credit goes on your permanent academic transcript in every term that you take a course. It is transcripted as University of Alabama credit, meeting SACS accreditation standards, and therefore transfers broadly to many institutions, both public and private, in and out of state. If you plan to take this credit with you to other institutions, you will simply need to order a transcript and have it sent to the receiving institution of your choice. We recommend that you check with any potential receiving institution to see how they will receive your UA Early College credit.

In addition to Early College-only course sections, we have several ways to support our students outside of the classroom. We have a dedicated Enrollment Services area that ensures Early College students take the right courses and do not duplicate credits. Our Student-Parent Services area maintains open channels of communication between parents, students and instructors. We also have a team of peer coaches - undergraduate students at The University - who reach out to Early College students regularly to make sure that they are aware of upcoming events and are successfully balancing their high school and Early College demands. Peer coaches also help students move through the college application process when the students are seniors.

Students may apply anytime from the spring of the 10th grade through the fall of the 12th grade. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and must be in good standing with the high school of record. Students must complete all application requirements by advertised deadline dates.

No, you do not need to submit an ACT score to apply for Early College. In order to be admitted to Early College, you must submit a transcript reflecting a 3.0 or higher GPA, an Academic Planning Guide, and the online application. Once you are admitted to Early College, you will need to pay for the UAEC 200 Gateway Course, participate in a Gateway Session, and successfully complete and pass the UAEC 200 Gateway Course online. Once you have passed the Gateway course, you are eligible to take regular Early College classes online, and/or to participate in the Early College on-campus summer experience.

All students admitted to Early College begin by taking the UAEC 200 Gateway Course. This course takes about a month to complete. It begins with participation in a Gateway Session, followed by completion of the course online. On successful completion of the UAEC 200 Gateway course, students earn 2 credit hours, and become eligible to take Early College general education courses in all disciplinary areas. Students may continue taking Early College courses through the summer after high school graduation.

Early College students may continue taking courses in Early College through the summer following high school graduation. Once the summer after high school graduation has passed, students may no longer participate in Early College.

Answer "Yes" or "No" to the following questions to help you determine if you are a strong candidate for Early College.

• Do you manage daily tasks and commitments well?
• Can you prioritize your personal schedule?
• Do you have the time (8-12 hours per week per course) to commit to an online course of study?
• Are you able to take a large assignment and break it into manageable sections for completion?
• Do you study materials ahead of deadlines and stay on top of your preparation for quizzes and tests?
• Do you communicate effectively in writing?
• Do you enjoy the challenge of learning independently?
• Are you motivated to be in charge of your own learning?
• Do you use a personal computer, the internet and technology effectively to access information and communicate?
• Do you have good study habits?

How did you do? If you answered "yes" to most of the questions, then you are probably ready for the challenge of Early College.

Early College is designed to complement the AP/IB options available at your school with courses such as Art History (ARH 252 and ARH 253), Anthropology (ANT 100 and ANT 102), Human Development (HD 101) and Elementary Japanese (JA 101). Rigorous study prepares you for college-level academics and may include Advanced Placement classes, dual enrollment or other academic opportunities. We strongly encourage students to take the most rigorous course of study available at their high school of record. Take advantage of your high school advanced diploma opportunities and use Early College as another option for advanced college preparedness.

Early College is designed to supplement the AP/IB options available at your school with courses like English (EN 101 and EN 102), American History (HY 203), and Biology (BSC 108). Rigorous study prepares you for college level academics and may include Advanced Placement classes, dual enrollment or other academic opportunities. We strongly encourage students to take the most rigorous course of study available at their high school of record. Take advantage of your high school opportunities and use Early College as another option for advanced college preparedness.

Every student is different. Before you request an Early College course, you should take the time to review your high school commitments for the upcoming term. We recognize that our students already lead rich, fulfilling lives outside of Early College. Because you will need to set aside an appropriate amount of time for your Early College coursework each week, choose an Early College course of study that will enhance your high school experience and balance with your other obligations.

Online courses, often referred to as distance education courses, are academic courses designed and developed by University of Alabama faculty using internet technology as the framework for delivery. Online courses utilize a web-based platform for communication and interaction between students and faculty, including delivery of course content, submission of assignments, discussion boards, group projects, audio or video lectures, video streaming, and other interactive strategies to promote student learning.

UA Early College courses are

• University of Alabama freshman- and sophomore-level courses
• General education (core) courses that count toward the bachelor's degree
• Accepted at all public universities in Alabama
• Eligible for transfer to other colleges and universities (subject to the course acceptance policies of the transfer institution)
• Online throughout the year!
• Also on campus during summer term

Please review the Early College Course Schedule for a list of courses.

General Education courses are courses that every bachelors-level degree-seeking student must complete regardless of the degree sought. You may also hear general education referred to as "core curriculum."

Some college majors may require specific general education courses. For example, a student who wishes to major in Nursing would only receive credit toward the Nursing degree for taking a "Biology for majors" Biology course. If you know what college major you would like to pursue, be sure to let the Early College Student-Parent Services know so they can advise you properly, and also check the course catalog to confirm the general education requirements for your intended major.

A credit hour is an academic unit of credit. Every college major requires a student to have a set number of credit hours in order to graduate, so the credit hours earned through Early College are intended to "count" toward the total credit hours required in whatever degree-seeking program an Early College student later enters. (For information on transferring credit, see "Will Early College course credits transfer to other colleges and universities?" above.)

In classroom-based college learning, courses that meet for 3 hours per week (such as many English, History, Fine Arts, Social/Behavioral Sciences, etc.) earn 3 credit hours, while courses that meet for 3 hours per week and also have required lab time (such as Natural Sciences and Foreign Languages) earn 4 credit hours. Students are expected to spend additional time outside of class for study, reading and preparation. Likewise, in online learning, students should allow enough time both to access learning modules and to do the study, reading and preparation needed to complete those modules successfully. We recommend that students plan on spending 8-10 hours per week for each online course, on average, with additional time for study and preparation before major exams and projects.

It depends. Students are responsible for their own independent progress in their own coursework during a set term or semester. You need to designate time each day to work on Early College courses, much like you designate time for your other academic endeavors. Depending on your school’s policies, you may be able to arrange time to work in your Early College courses during the school day. Check with your school’s administrators.

If you are interested in earning dual credit for work done with Early College, reach out to your principal and guidance counselor to explore the possibility of a dual credit agreement. If your school administrators are interested in establishing a dual credit agreement, they should contact UA Early College at 1-877-823-8759.

No! Early College classes are college-level academic courses of study. Although you may have been accustomed to studying the night before a high school test, you may not be successful by waiting to cram the night before a college test. Plan ahead!

To apply, students must follow all of the steps listed on the Apply Now page. Students who are accepted to Early College must participate in a required Gateway Session

You will be contacted by Early College by email when you submit your first application materials. We will maintain contact with you throughout the application process, and will send you information about getting started on your Gateway Session.

myBama is a web portal that is your source for official University of Alabama services and information, and helps you effectively conduct business, receive announcements, and communicate with a variety of departments at UA.

A campus-wide identification number (CWID) serves as the unique identification number for every student applying to or enrolled at The University of Alabama. You will use your CWID to establish your myBama account, check out books from the library, and conduct all official business at The University. A CWID is confidential information and should be guarded as one would guard a Social Security number.

Yes! Part of being a UA student means that your studies with Early College are governed by the policies and procedures of The University.

After submitting your application to Early College, all communication will be through your Crimson account, so check it daily! Crimson mail is accessed through your myBama account. Once you are accepted to Early College, we will not email you at any account other than your Crimson account.

Once you are an officially enrolled UA student, your Action Card serves as your University ID. Students admitted to Early College will have their Action Card made when they come to campus for a Gateway Session.

A Gateway Session is Early College's mandatory orientation session that provides valuable information to students and parents about the academic and financial policies of Early College. Students and parents are invited to campus for orientation, though in the future students will choose between an on-campus and online Gateway Session.

The mandatory Gateway Session includes

• eLearning orientation
• Beginning Module 1 of UAEC 200: Gateway Academic Potential course
• Important information for your parent/guardian on Early College policy and curriculum

UAEC 200: Gateway Academic Potential course is a 2 credit hour eLearning course required for all students who are accepted into Early College. The course begins with a mandatory Gateway Session, which includes an eLearning orientation and introduction to Module 1 for students, and important information on policies and curriculum for parents/guardians. Students have four weeks following the start of Module 1 at the Gateway Session to complete the remainder of the course online through eLearning. UAEC 200 introduces students to an online learning environment, teaches students various ways to conduct and cite research using UA Library online resources, and introduces students to the specific language of college (e.g. syllabus, college major, drop class).

We want each and every student to be successful. You will receive 2 credit hours after successful completion of the UAEC 200 Gateway Academic Potential course. At that point, you can decide whether or not to continue your studies in Early College.

UA has four different term lengths, though the semester is the official term length for completing Early College and other UA courses. Generally, a semester (fall and spring term) is 16 weeks in length. Summer term is ten weeks, and each partial summer term (Summer I and Summer II) is five weeks. Early College courses follow the same academic calendar and pacing as traditional campus courses. Please refer to the UA Academic Calendar for specific dates.

No. Work with your parents, guidance counselor and Early College advisors to determine when you should take Early College courses. Students may skip a semester, or choose to take one, two or three classes during a term, depending on your other personal and academic commitments.

Please refer to The University of Alabama Academic Calendar for specific dates for each term.

Students must complete each course during the designated UA term. That is, Fall courses must be finished by the end of the fall semester, Summer I courses by the end of Summer I term, etc. Early College courses follow the same academic calendar and pacing as traditional campus courses.

Early College courses are offered online, in every term (fall, spring and summer), utilizing a variety of rich online educational technologies. Online courses mean that students can access learning modules and other course materials 24/7, on their own time. Early College instructors are very student-centered, respond quickly to email contact, and offer "virtual office hours" in which students can meet with them via web conference and web chat. Early College also offers eligible UAEC students the opportunity to take courses on campus during the summer.

Early College courses are available 24/7! This means that you can access your course and complete your assignments at any time. Early College assignments, quizzes, and other learning resources do have associated due dates that students must meet, and we encourage students to work ahead of these deadlines.

Instructors are also available to students via Wimba (web conferencing) during "Virtual Office Hours," offered at times that students are likely to be able to meet. Instructors also make themselves available to students by email, and by additional interactive technologies which may include webchat, discussion boards, wiki, and the like.

In addition to year-round online course offerings, Early College offers eligible UAEC students the opportunity to take courses on campus during the summer.

All Early College faculty are approved and appointed by the respective academic department at UA. Instructors meet all academic requirements for teaching as outlined by both the academic department and SACS, the regional accreditation body.

eLearning is the course management system, or online "classroom," used for the delivery of online course instruction at UA. eLearning courses utilize a variety of technology to provide online teaching such as video streaming, computer animation, email, chat rooms, discussion boards, and audio/video technology.

With eLearning, students may work individually or collectively with the instructor and classmates to learn about specific subjects, depending on each instructor's course requirements. Keep in mind that the UA Academic Honor Code is applicable to all online coursework.

We recommend that you log into eLearning on a daily basis. Your instructor may post additional links, resources, or announcements, as well as communicate with you via eLearning mail. eLearning is the official mechanism for delivering your course content and serves as your communication interface with your instructor, as well as the instructional interface for the course. Check eLearning daily!

At the beginning of the course, your instructor will establish the preferred mode of communication in the syllabus. Your instructor will primarily communicate with you through eLearning mail and announcements. Always email your instructor with the eLearning mail tool inside each course you are taking.

Early College courses do not meet on a certain day or at a certain time and are generally available to you for completion 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Your instructor provides course modules for you to study, coupled with assignments and quizzes for submission of college work. Some modules and assignments may allow you to work ahead within the timeframe established by the instructor and outlined in the course syllabus. Pay close attention to all course deadlines. At certain points in the term, there may be designated times for group discussions or chats, called synchronous sessions. Pay special attention to these, which should be listed in your syllabus or announced by the instructor, as they may be part of your grade.

Not necessarily. You will always have access to a course’s modules, assignments, and instructions when you access your course in eLearning. Your instructor may schedule synchronous sessions, which are specific times set up for Wimba sessions, office hour chat rooms, or instant messaging, whether with the instructor or with other students. Always check your course calendar and syllabus, as well as eLearning mail and announcements, to see if your instructor has scheduled a synchronous session.

A course module is course work that has been organized into a specific unit by your instructor. You should always move through modules as outlined in the syllabus and course calendar. Each module contains three sections: Overview, Objectives, and Assignments. The Overview is a brief description of the whole module, while the Objectives list specific things that you will know or be able to do after completing the module. The Assignments for each module include any assigned readings, lecture viewings, and synchronous sessions, as well as assignments that need to be submitted in the Assignments Drop Box in eLearning.

Early College instructors provide a syllabus and course calendar that lists all deadlines for each course. As with all college work, it is the student’s responsibility to keep up with assignments and deadlines.

Each instructor provides you with a syllabus that serves as the official contract between the instructor and student. Review each syllabus carefully for deadline dates. Some modules may allow you to complete work and submit it prior to deadlines. Pay close attention to all course deadlines.

Some modules and assignments may allow you to work ahead within the timeframe established by the instructor in the syllabus. Be careful to always work through modules in the sequence established by the instructor, and always make sure that you are meeting the course deadlines listed in the syllabus or course calendar.

Students should always reach out to their instructors via eLearning if they have health or other issues to make arrangements for making up missed work. If a student chooses to drop a class, he/she should always reach out to Early College staff first. Early College staff will advise students on the best course of action depending on the point in the semester. Early College students are governed by all UA policies and procedures for withdrawal from a course ("dropping").

Early College students are governed by both Early College and UA policies for academic conduct. Early College-specific policies are covered in the Early College Policy Manual provided at Gateway Sessions.

This statement of values, written by the Student Leaders Council, is a reflection of the core values that sustain the UA community. These honors come in the form of a special award called the "Capstone Hero" award.

As a member of The University of Alabama community, I will pursue knowledge; act with fairness, honesty, and respect; foster civic responsibility; and strive for excellence.

The text of the Academic Honor Code can be found in the UA undergraduate catalog. All students in attendance at The University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University of Alabama expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Each student is expected to read the Academic Honor Pledge. The pledge reads as follows:

I promise or affirm that I will not at any time be involved with cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, or misrepresentation while enrolled as a student at The University of Alabama. I have read the Academic Honor Code, which explains disciplinary procedures that will result from the aforementioned. I understand that violation of this code will result in penalties as severe as indefinite suspension from The University.

Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academic or related matter and any knowing or intentional help, attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student commit an act of academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following acts, when performed in any type of academic or academically related matter, exercise, or activity:

• Cheating: using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, study aids, or computer-related information
• Plagiarism: representing the words, data, works, ideas, computer programs or output, or anything not generated in an authorized fashion, as one’s own
• Fabrication: presenting as genuine any invented or falsified citation or material
• Misrepresentation: falsifying, altering, or misstating the contents of documents or other materials related to academic matters, including schedules, prerequisites, and transcripts

A student may potentially earn up to 30 hours of college credit through Early College and still be considered a first-time freshman when entering The University of Alabama. Click here to view examples of how a student might complete 17 credit hours and 30 credit hours with Early College. A complete listing of course offerings is available on the Early College website.

Early College students submit an Academic Planning Guide to Early College Enrollment Services during the advising period to request a course for the upcoming term. Early College staff will always email students when the advising period has begun, and will include reminders on how to access the Academic Planning Guide and how to submit it. Make sure that you check your Crimson account regularly so you don’t miss these important emails!

Depending on the term, students may take anywhere from three to nine hours (1-3 classes). Students should carefully consider their high school academic courses, part-time jobs and extracurricular activities as well as other commitments when deciding how many classes to request to take with Early College during a term. Early College staff members approve the course registration for students each term during the advising period.
For a complete listing of Early College courses, please visit the Course Schedule information on the Early College website.

Advising is the process by which all UA students review the course offerings for the upcoming term and work with Early College advisors to decide which course(s) they would like to take. To participate in advising and registration, Early College students must login to myBama, enter the eLearning classroom for UAEC 100, and look for the link to registration instructions.

For summer and fall classes: March and April
For spring classes: October and November
Early College staff will always email you when the advising period for the upcoming term is approaching. Make sure that you check your Crimson account regularly so you don't miss these important emails!

• For summer and fall classes: April and May
• For spring classes: November and December

Current UAEC students will receive an email each term with specific advising and registration dates.

Early College offers students a variety of courses that meet the general education requirements set out by the Alabama Articulation and General Studies Committee in the STARS agreement. The Early College Tuition Scholarship only applies to Early College-designated courses and does not apply to other courses offered at UA. For more information on advising and registration, see "What is advising?"

When you are approved for your requested courses during each advising period, Early College Enrollment Services will include the ISBN for your textbook(s) in your registration clearance email.
You may order textbooks online through  The University Supply Store (SupeStore) textbook website or by phone at 1-800-825-6802. Make sure that you select the UA Main Campus from the drop down menu (not UA Distance Ed - High School Courses) on the SupeStore website.

Before dropping a class, students should always check with their instructor and Early College staff to make sure that a drop is the best course of action. Once you have contacted Early College Enrollment Services about dropping a course, we will email you detailed instructions on how to drop your class.

The cost for each school year will vary because the UA System Trustees set tuition rates in the summer prior to the beginning of the new school year in August.

Students admitted to UA Early College may qualify for a partial tuition scholarship! To find out whether you qualify as an in-state student, an out-of-state student, or a student dependent of active military, please call us at 1-877-823-8759.

All UA students pay tuition through myBama in a process known as "confirming your schedule." A detailed explanation of UA’s payment policies and procedures can be found here. Students must register and "confirm their schedule" by the deadline listed on the Registrar's calendar for that term or their schedule will be dropped.

To pay your bill/confirm your schedule, log into myBama. From the Home tab, click on "Pay your student bill" in the Currently on myBama channel in the center of the page.

Students in Early College are not eligible for federal financial aid because they have not graduated from high school.

For all UA students, the payment of tuition, course fees, and other charges is a part of the registration process known as "confirming your schedule". Payment or payment plan participation is required before each semester's registration is confirmed. Students will be notified via Crimson mail when to access their student account at myBama to see each billing period’s activity and begin paying/confirming for that period.  No paper bills will be mailed. 

When the email notice of account availability (for payment) is received:

• Log into myBama and select "Pay your student bill" in the Currently on myBama channel in the center of the page
• Select the current term and click "Submit"
• Select "confirm my schedule"
• Choose to "pay in-full" or select a deferment plan
• Make the required payment

After completing all of these steps, your schedule is considered "confirmed."

A web payment may be made by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover) or by web check inside myBama.

• Log into myBama and select "Pay your student bill" in the Currently on myBama channel in the center of the page
• Select the current term and click "Submit"
• Select "confirm my schedule"
• Choose to "pay in-full" or select a deferment plan
• Make the required payment

Yes, if you create a Guest Account in myBama, you can authorize others to make payments on your behalf.

• Log in to myBama
• Click on the Student Tab
• Under Banner Self-Services, Enrollment Services, click on the Student Receivables link
• Choose Create/Change a Parent/Guest Account and complete the required information.

NOTE: If you provide an email address(es) in conjunction with the Guest Account, this address will also receive notices and reminders of billing dates and deadlines.

You will have to provide your authorized users with the user name and password you created for your Guest Account. Your authorized users will be able to view your account summary, make payments, and confirm your schedule.

NOTE: You should always check your student account to make sure that your schedule has been confirmed and all payments have been made by the deadlines set by Student Receivables.

If you do not confirm your schedule and complete one of the payment options by the deadline, your schedule will be dropped from the system by the Registrar’s office.

In High School:
Early College courses may or may not count toward dual credit or high school credit. Discuss your school's dual credit policy with your high school guidance counselor.

To Colleges:
All Early College courses are transcripted as University of Alabama bachelor's-level credit, and meet SACS accreditation standards; they transfer broadly to many institutions, both public and private, in and out of state. If you are considering transferring your Early College credit to a private or out-of-state college or university, we recommend that you contact the receiving institution to find out exactly how your credit will be received. All public institutions of higher education in Alabama accept Early College credit as transfer credit as a part of the Alabama Articulation and General Studies Committee agreement.

Official transcripts can be ordered through myBama. CredentialsSolutions, Inc. is the official transcript ordering service for The University of Alabama, and transcripts must be ordered through this online service via myBama.
To order a transcript, log into myBama and click on the Student tab, then click on the Enrollment Services folder in the Banner Self-Service channel. Next, click on the Student Records folder and then select Order Official Transcript. A pop-up window will open with instructions on how to order a transcript - follow all instructions exactly as they appear.

Grades are reported to students through eLearning throughout the semester. Final grades are posted approximately one week after the end of the semester on myBama - click over to the Student Tab and scroll down to the Student Grades channel.

You may also view your grades by clicking on the Student Tab then following these clicks:

• Look in the Banner Self-Service Channel
  
• Click on the Student Services folder
  
• Click on the Student Records folder
  
• From here, you can click and view:
  • Midterm Grades
  • Final Grades
  • Academic Transcript (selecting this option will you show all credits recorded in at UA)

The University typically does not release grades to parents. Students have access to their semester grades on myBama. Grades are posted approximately one week after the end of the semester on myBama - click over to the Student Tab and scroll down to the Student Grades channel.

Yes. This is your permanent academic transcript. A University of Alabama transcript is a complete record of a student's enrollment at UA, including all undergraduate, graduate, and professional courses.

The university procedure for calculating your GPA can be found here. You can view your current GPA by viewing your Academic (Advising) Transcript in myBama under the Student Records tab.

Students who earn 30 hours of college credit through UA Early College are eligible for UA freshman scholarship opportunities provided they meet all additional scholarship criteria (i.e. ACT/SAT score). Students who earn 30 hours of UA Early College credit and plan to graduate from high school early (i.e. December of their senior year) should contact Undergraduate Admissions and Scholarships the office."

Students enrolled in Early College begin building their permanent academic collegiate record at The University of Alabama. Access to University of Alabama student records is protected by UA policy and federal and state law.

Under § 99.31(a)(8), an educational agency or institution may disclose education records to an eligible student's parents if the student is a dependent as defined in section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Under § 99.31(a)(8), neither the age of a student nor the parent's status as custodial parent is relevant to the determination whether disclosure of information from an eligible student's education records to that parent without written consent is permissible under FERPA. If a student is claimed as a dependent for Federal income tax purposes by either parent, then under the regulations, either parent may have access to the student's education records without the student's consent.

The University is permitted by law to disclose information from a student's education record to a parent/guardian if:

• the student is claimed as a dependent on current IRS tax returns; and/or
• the student consents in writing to The University of Alabama's release of information to the parent/guardian

Students may download Record Release/Declaration of Dependency form at the Registrar's website and submit it to earlycollege-student@ua.edu.

It's highly recommended that you have a computer at home if you are doing the bulk of your coursework with Early College from home. Keep in mind that you will need access to the computer for approximately 8-12 hours each week in order to complete class assignments and activities for your Early College courses. Students are expected to regularly access their course(s) in eLearning and meet all deadlines listed in the syllabus and posted by the instructor.

It's highly recommended. If you don't have access to a computer with high-speed Internet access at home, try the public library, a local community college, or your high school. You will need to allow plenty of time in your schedule to work on the computer, including time for evening synchronous sessions with your instructor and classmates, and should not expect to have access to your Early College courses during the school day unless provisions have been made with your school administrator. If you do not have access to high-speed internet at home, plan accordingly so that you can meet all deadlines listed in the syllabus and posted by your instructor.

Computer Operating System:
• PC (Windows XP/Vista/7)
• Mac (OS 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5)

Hardware:
• Minimum 256 MB RAM (1 GB recommended)
• 2 GB of disk space
• Soundcard
• Speakers or headphones (a set will be provided at Gateway Session)
• High speed internet connection (DSL, cable, Hughes Net)

Software:
• Microsoft Office 2003-2007 (Microsoft sells a student package for $59.95 called "The Ultimate Steal")
• Latest Version of Java (free)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader (free)
• Apple QuickTime Player (free)
• Windows Media Player (free; should come installed on most PCs)
• Adobe Flash Player (free)
• Flip4Mac – Windows Media Player for Macs (Mac users only) (Free)

Browsers: Disable all pop-up blockers before navigating myBama and eLearning in your web browser.

Windows
• Internet Explorer 7
• Mozilla Firefox
• Google Chrome

Mac
• Mozilla1.7.x (OS X only) Browsers running under Mac
• Firefox1.0.x (OS X only) OS 9 or earlier, Firefox, Mozilla 1.5 and 1.6
• Safari1.2, 1.3, 2.x; and 2.x for Intel x86 platform

NOTE: If you are using a Mac and are experiencing problems viewing your eLearning courses, click the Check Browser link in the top right section of the eLearning window that contains your list of eLearning courses.

If you are using a Safari browser and the Check Browser link returns an error, you will need to use a supported version of Firefox as your browser for eLearning. Occasionally, you will receive an "unsupported browser" error message but the browser will work fine.

Some of the skills you will need to successfully participate in Early College courses include knowing how to:

• Navigate a computer (Mac or PC)
• Use Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
• Save and find files on your computer's directories
• Back up copies of your files on an external source, such as a thumb drive or web-based storage solution (like Dropbox)
• Use a web browser to access websites and other online resources
• Enable cookies on your web browser (please see your web browser's Help files for specific instructions)
• Use computer peripherals (such as headphones) to access course content

In addition, online courses containing multimedia learning exercises may require you to install such browser plug-ins as Shockwave or QuickTime, which can be downloaded free from the web.

Some students who use modified proprietary browsers provided by such services as America Online, or who have certain Child Protection software installed, may have to reset security preferences while working on their courses.

Information on our privacy and security policies and on downloading and installing plug-ins is included in the Help files in your eLearning course.

You will login to myBama, click on the Student tab, and then click on your specific course inside the eLearning channel.

First, try logging out of myBama and eLearning and then logging in again. If that does not solve the problem, try switching to a different web browser and log in to myBama again. If the problem still persists, contact the College of Continuing Studies (CCS) Tech Support at (205) 348-9157 [toll-free at 1-866-205-1011], or submit an online request through the CCS Tech Support site. If you can log into your course in eLearning but are still having problems, please submit your work order through the Tech Support link provided on the course home page.

If you are having hardware or software issues not related to eLearning, you can visit the UA Help Desk for support. This service is provided free to all UA students.

After receiving a UA Action Card and CWID, students have access to the UA Library online resources, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and the Writing Center.
Early College students do not pay activity fees and are not eligible for health services or recreation and athletic privileges.

If the trouble is related to course content, contact your instructor through eLearning. Other campus resources may offer you services as well, such as the Center for Teaching and Learning  and The Writing Center.

Check with your instructor to see if he/she can recommend any resources that will be of assistance. The Center for Teaching and Learning may also provide assistance to help you with a course.

Peer coaches are current UA students who assist Early College students with their transition to a college level of study. They provide general guidance and support and serve as a resource for students. Peer coaches are trained on FERPA guidelines and may not be allowed to share any information with parents. Peer coaches communicate with students over the phone and through email, but never through social networking sites like Facebook, mySpace, or Twitter.

They are utilized to:

• Serve as a friendly contact in an online environment
• Foster a learning community that sustains Early College students in a unique online environment
• Encourage students to stay on track for the successful completion of each course
• Identify online support services for students in the program (i.e. library, Writing Center, Center for Teaching and Learning, other online resources), as needed
• Contact you via phone call with important Early College information