Online Learning

Orientation to Online Learning

For an orientation to online learning at Lesley, view Lesley's narrated presentation "Being Successful in Web-Based Courses." Students can read the Overview of Online Learning for information about the history and benefits of online learning at Lesley. To see all of Lesley's online programs, click here. Please note: Ph.D. students in the online Adult Learning Specialization will have a program orientation during their first residency.

Registration for Classes

To get information on registering for classes, please see the Online Programs Course Registration and Schedule Information.

Information About Your Faculty Advisor and Assistant Director

Online students are assigned to the Director of Online Learning and Student Services or the Assistant Director for Advising and Student Services for online Advanced Professional Certificates (see Meet Your Assistant Director), who can assist them with program issues. Students can access the name of their faculty advisor by going to the Lesley Online Information System, logging on, and going to the "Personal and Academic Information" screen.

My Assessment Portfolio

Students who begin degree programs on or after October 25, 2010, are participating in an electronic portfolio system in the School of Education. Please visit the MAP information page to learn more about accessing your account and training opportunities for students.

Attendance Policy for Online Students

From the School of Education Attendance Policy: The flexibility of online courses allows students to complete assignments and participate in collaborative work from wherever there is a reliable Internet connection. In an online environment, "attendance" in courses that are either fully or partially delivered online is typically measured by the quality and frequency of the posts in the online discussion forums. As online courses are designed to be interactive, often with assignments that require group work, a student's absence from these discussion forums for more than a few days may prevent that student from maintaining the level of interaction that is required for success in the course.

The university acknowledges that on occasion, students may have legitimate reasons for missing class. However, it is important to realize that while some assignments might be submitted after a due date, discussion postings cannot be "made up." If a student knows that she/he will be offline for a week or more, the student must contact the instructor before the start of a course to discuss possible options for completing required work. Given the highly interactive design of an online course, options to make up required discussion boards or collaborative assignments may be severely limited. In this case, a student should consider taking the course at a later time.

Students should be aware that being offline for a week or more, without prior approval from the instructor, may result in no credit for the week's discussion boards or collaborative assignments. For lengthier absences, an administrative withdrawal (AW) from the course may be warranted. For courses with a grade of AW, no course credit and no tuition refund will be given.

Campus Resources

Online students can take advantage of the many campus offices and services through the Internet or, when possible, in person. Check the 'resources' link to the side for information on Sherrill Library, the Career Resource Center, the Center for Academic Achievement, and more.