Distance Education FAQs


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Enrollment & Adding Courses

Should I take an online course?

Take the Online Readiness Quiz.

Where can I find online and hybrid course listings?

For course descriptions and methods of delivery, refer to the current schedule of classes.

Do I have to come to campus any time?

Required meetings are listed in the Cypress College schedule of classes.

How do I enroll in online and hybrid classes?

Enrolling in online classes is the same procedure as enrolling in traditional on campus classes at Cypress College. Please visit the Registration Information page and refer to the schedule of classes for current offerings.

How can I add a class that is closed?

When myGateway advises that a class is closed, a student can choose the option to be placed on the waitlist.  If a seat becomes available, the waitlisted student will be notified via email that they have 48 hours to add the class through myGateway.  For more information, please refer to the find classes FAQ page.

myGateway is telling me I need an Add Authorization Code. What do I do?

Once classes have started, students must contact the instructor of the course for an add authorization code.

I’m on a waiting list, can I login to Canvas?

You cannot login to Canvas until you are officially enrolled in class. You must check your enrollment status in myGateway/Webstar.

What happens once I’m enrolled?

Once you are enrolled, your instructor will contact you approximately a week before the class begins or the day the semester starts about the requirements and timeline of the course.

How will my instructor contact me?

Distance Education instructors need your valid email address before the class begins because they usually send emails prior to the start of the semester. Before you register:

  1. Update your current email address in myGateway before registering for the course.
  2. Add @cypresscollege.edu to your email service. For successful electronic communication with Cypress College, be sure @cypresscollege.edu is a secure site (or on your white list, trusted list, etc.) in your email program.

How soon can I access my Canvas course site after I register for the class in myGateway?

Canvas is updated for class enrollments two times a day (4:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m.).  If you register for a class in myGateway at 12:30 p.m., then you will have access to Canvas after the 4:30 p.m. enrollment run.  It will be up to your instructor to enable you to access your Canvas course site.  You typically will not have access to your courses in Canvas until the first day of class.  Some classes may have different start and end dates so be sure to make note of when your course starts upon registering.

Your Online Classroom

How do I login to Canvas?

If you forgot your password and need to reset it, click the “forgot password” link on the login page.

How can I learn to use Canvas?

To learn to use Canvas go to the Cypress College Canvas Student Orientation located within your course or you can review the Canvas student guides and videos:

How do I contact Canvas Help Support?

Canvas support is available 24/7.  You can get help with Canvas by logging in to Canvas and clicking on the “Help?” button located in the global navigation menu.  You have three options to contact help:

Report a Problem – contact Canvas help via the ticketing system.
Canvas Support Hotline
– call the 24/7 help hotline at 1 (844) 592-2206. 
Chat with Canvas Support
– chat live with Canvas Support.

I get this message when I try to login, “Canvas doesn’t have an account for user.”

This error appears because you are not enrolled in Canvas yet.

My instructor uses a publisher’s course site, how do I obtain an access code?

You must contact your instructor for this code.

Textbooks & Computer Labs

How do I buy textbooks for online classes?

The Cypress College Bookstore has all books required by all Cypress College classes. You can purchase your books online or in person.

Are there computers on campus I can use for my distance education course?

On-campus computers for online, online live, and partially online student use are available in the Learning Resource Center in the first floor of the L/LRC building. You may also find the other labs on campus useful to your online and hybrid work.

Attendance & General Policies

How does attendance work in an online/hybrid course?

An absence may be identified as lack of academic engagement. It is the instructor’s responsibility to specify their attendance policy in the written syllabus. Contact your instructor if you have any questions.

What is the drop policy?

In the case where a class is taught entirely online, instructors may drop students who have not been in contact with the instructor by the end of the first day of classes for that semester or short-term classes. While an instructor may drop a student who has poor attendance, it is the student’s responsibility to officially drop the class.

What are the do’s and don’ts of online communication?

For a guide to the do’s and don’ts of online communication please refer to the Albion Netiquette Home Page and Learn The Net’s Netiquette Basics.

Hardware & Software Requirements

Software Discounts for Students

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