Technology Requirements

Technology Requirements

Online learning requires students to possess specific technology and a certain level of technical expertise. The School of Professional and Online Education is dedicated to assisting online students with their technological needs as a means of facilitating a successful educational experience.

Computer-Related Proficiencies

Generally speaking, online students must be proficient in the following computer-related tasks:

•  Use email to correspond with faculty, staff, and students
• Access, create, and save documents in Microsoft® Office® formats
• Browse the web including downloading and installing common plug-ins, and configuring common browser options
• Configure and run applications, including an antivirus application to ensure the student’s system is secure and transmitted files are virus free
• Use web-based video communication platforms like Zoom® and Google Hangouts®

Limited high-speed internet and/or lack of technological proficiency could affect one’s ability to be successful in online courses.

Minimum System Requirements

Online students must have access to computer technology that meets the following requirements:

• A PC running Microsoft Windows® Operating system or Mac OS
  • (Windows® 11 is required) or (Mac OS 14 or higher)
• Processor: Minimum – Dual-Core i5 Processor
  • Recommended – Quad-Core i5 or Higher
• Memory (RAM): Minimum 8 GB of RAM
  • Recommended 16 GB of RAM
• Hard Disk Space: Minimum – 128 GB SSD/M.2
  • Recommended – 256 GB SSD/M.2 or Higher
  • Mechanical Hard Disks are NOT recommended
• Sound card with speakers and microphone
  • Microphone headsets with built-in headphones are recommended
• HD webcam
• High-speed Internet Connection Required
  • Broadband cable with a bandwidth of 5 Mbps minimum
    • Higher bandwidth is recommended
• Internet Browser: Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera
  • It is recommended to disable any pop-up blockers in third party tool bars that may be installed in your browser.
• Microsoft® Office Suite® (2019 or newer). Free version available here with Grace email address: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/students/default.aspx?SearchType=1

Please note: Some courses may have additional software and/or hardware requirements. These additional requirements will be clearly stated in the respective course syllabi.