For PC Users

• Internet connection - Contact your local Internet service provider for connection information
• Windows 95 or newer (Windows 98 or newer recommended) or other modern graphical operating system.
• Web browser (Mozilla Firefox version 1.0 or newer or Internet Explorer version 6.0 or newer recommended). Web browser free downloads available from links below
• Pentium 133 MHz processor or faster
• 16 MB of RAM or more
• 25 MB of free disc space
• 28.8 modem or faster, or broad-band internet connection
• CD-ROM required in some courses
• Sound card and speakers required in some courses RealAudio free download available from link below

For Mac Users

• Internet connection - Contact your local Internet service provider for connection information
• MacOS X or other modern graphical operating system.
• Web browser (Safari version 2.0 or newer or Mozilla Firefox version 1.0 or newer recommended). Web browser free downloads available from links below
• PowerPC 100 MHz processor or faster
• 16 MB of RAM or more
• 25 MB of free disc space
• 28.8 modem or faster, or broad-band internet connection
• CD-ROM required in some courses

Downloads

• Web Browsers -
  1. Mozilla Firefox
  2. Netscape Navigator
  3. Internet Explorer
  4. Opera
  
  
• RealAudio Streaming Video/Audio

Hardware Requirements
If you’re planning to take an online course, the first requirement is that you have regular access to a computer. You may use any of the major brands of computers available, and the online courses are designed to work with either PC or Macintosh computers.

You will probably want to complete your online coursework from your home, and to do that you’ll need to have a connection from your home to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). A 28.8 bps dial-up connection is sufficient to handle your connection needs, although a faster connection will save you time waiting for pages to load.

You’ll also need a modem to allow your computer to receive and transmit messages to the Internet. Most computers come with a modem built in. If you have questions about connecting to the Internet, your local Internet Service Provider can provide many of the answers you need.

Some online courses may require additional hardware such as a CD-ROM player for course enhancement materials. You will be alerted to any special hardware requirements when you apply for your course.

Software Requirements
You will need a simple email program installed on your computer. Any of the popular email software programs will work. Your email connection is an important link between you and your instructor.

You’ll also need a browser installed on your computer. Since most all computers come with email and browser software installed, you should be able to check off this requirement fairly quickly. Online courses are designed to work well with Internet Explorer or Netscape as well as other browsers.

You might check to make sure that you have a recent version of the browser installed on your computer. If you are using a version of Internet Explorer that is lower than version 5.5, or if you are using a version of Netscape lower than version 6.0, you should go to the site for that product and download a newer version at no charge.

Most courses do not require a specific word processing program (such as Word or WordPerfect), but you will probably need to be able to access some word processing program to send and receive documents.

Some distance courses may use audio material as an additional instructional medium. Many computers come with the capability of playing audio, but you may need to download a free version of an audio program. Your instructor will give you more information.