Support for Students

The first step to taking classes online is to apply to become a student at NSCC. There is no separate application process for online students. Once you are admitted as a student, and you have an “A” number, you will be able to register for courses (including online courses) in myNSCC.

To view our current online offerings, check the course schedule. Use the Instruction Method filter to find courses offered Online.

“Online” can mean many different things. Nashville State offers several different types of courses that are offered fully or partially online. There are four kinds of online courses that you can register for through myNSCC. They are: 

• Online: Course is fully online (asynchronous) and has no on-campus meeting requirements. 
• Virtual: Course meets live via Zoom at a set date and time (synchronous). 
• Hybrid: Course uses a combination of virtual instruction, and some required on-campus meetings. 
• TN eCampus: Courses marked “TN eCampus” can be taken fully online, asynchronous from our partner institutions.

Some, but not all, degree and certificate programs may be completed entirely online. To find out if your program of interest is available online, view the list of programs and certificates offered online. 

No, there is no difference between a degree earned online and a degree earned on-ground. The diploma or certificate you receive upon completion is equivalent regardless of delivery format.

You can access your NSCC courses inside of NS Online (which is also commonly called “D2L”). For help getting started with NS Online, watch our NS Online Quick Start video. 

If you are enrolled in a TN eCampus course (sections ending with R01, R25, R35, R50, or R80) you will access those courses through the TN eCampus Login page. 

Note: you will not have access to your courses until the morning of the first day of class.

TN eCampus courses are fully online, asynchronous courses offered through our TBR partner institutions for an additional fee. You can register for TN eCampus courses through myNSCC, but your instructor might not necessarily be an NSCC faculty member. Credits earned in TN eCampus courses are included as part of your overall Nashville State degree requirements and are no different than any other degree awarded by Nashville State. 

TN eCampus courses can be accessed via the TN eCampus Login page.

No, online courses typically do have deadlines that are set by the instructor. For an asynchronous course, you do not need to log into the course at any specific time during the week, but you do need to complete all your coursework within the timeframe given by your professor. Failure to meet course deadlines or regularly participate in the course may harm your grade. 

No, online programs have the same content, rigor, and outcomes as on-ground programs. They are subject to the same scrutiny as on-ground programs to ensure quality and continuous program improvements. 

In fact, some students may find online courses to be more difficult because you must be even more self-disciplined and independent than you might be in an in-person course.

For purposes of financial aid, continued attendance is determined via engagement in the course. This can be accomplished in several ways including, but not limited to, participating in D2L as prompted (e.g., responding to an instructor’s email, posting to a discussion board), and/or completing and submitting assignments on time. 

Yes, there is no difference in how financial aid works for courses taken online or on campus. You must still apply for financial aid to qualify. Questions about financial aid should be directed to financial.aid@nscc.edu. 

Many online courses have Digital Course Materials included. DCM textbooks will automatically appear in your NS Online courses as an eBook on the first day of class. 

Any non-DCM textbooks can be ordered through the Bookstore website. For instructions, watch the video: How to Purchase Textbooks.