Online education offers you the opportunity to study whenever it fits into your life—whether that’s at 5 a.m. before the kids wake up, on your lunch hour, or for a few hours at night. Online education allows you to fit education into your life instead of re-organizing your life around education.
We offer many online degree programs that are available completely online that are designed to seamlessly transfer to a 4-year degree. More than 100 of our for-credit classes are available online too.
Resources for online learners
As an online learner, you have academic support and resources at your fingertips. From tutoring to Library resources to technology support, our Learning Commons are here to help you succeed.
Computer requirements and skills
You can access your classes and course information at any time, as long as you have a Windows PC or equivalent Mac computer with a high-speed internet connection, such as a DSL or cable connection.
Minimum Hardware Requirements
- Macintosh OS X (10.12 or higher) or Windows PC (7 or higher)
- 4GB RAM (8GB RAM or more is highly recommended)
- 20GB of available hard-drive space
- Screen resolution set to 1280x1024
- Broadband/high-speed uninterrupted Internet access; minimum speed of 2 Mbps download, 750 Kbps upload
- Webcam, microphone and speakers (a wearable headset is highly recommended)
How to check your computer specifications
Browser Compatibility
It is extremely important that you use a supported browser when taking classes online so that all course content and the course tools display properly and to avoid usability errors related to browser configurations. For the best experience, please ensure that you have the latest versions of:
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer and Apple Safari may also be used with an understanding that you may experience unexpected challenges.
Note: Please make sure Pop-up Blocker is disabled in all browsers
System Requirements for Additional Online Tools
Your instructors may elect to use a number of additional software services within your courses for online delivery. Please refer to the system requirements below for each of the services your instructors require you to access within your courses:
Note: It is important that you look at your instructor’s syllabus to see if there are 3rd party resources that the course may use that may have its own technical requirements.
Google Chromebook and Mobile User
The College is making every effort to make course as mobile compliant as possible. Your Google Chromebook and/or tablet such as an iPad will most likely work well for most work. However, based on the technical specifications of your course, you may experience some challenges without a Windows or Mac computer.
To participate successfully in an online or blended class, you should be able to:
- Perform basic word processing.
- Use a web browser to visit websites and print web documents.
- Use email to send and receive messages, reply to messages, cut and paste text between messages, open attachments, and attach files to messages.
- If your computer skills aren’t at the level needed, WCC offers non-credit classes where you can get up to speed on everything from word processing to using the web.
Online class grievance procedure
We are committed to resolving concerns and complaints in a timely, fair, and amicable manner. If you ever have a problem with an online class at WCC, review your Student Rights and Responsibilities described in the Board of Trustees Policy 4095 . For questions or concerns regarding your Student Rights and Responsibilities, contact the Dean of Students .
If you reside outside of Michigan while taking a WCC online class and are unable to resolve any issue by contacting the Dean of Students, you may contact the appropriate office in your state. That information is provided in the List of State Offices . For additional assistance, you may contact our accrediting agency, the Higher Learning Commission .
Additional information is available for out-of-state students.