RASMUSSEN COLLEGE. Congratulations on becoming a college student. I am excited to welcome you to Rasmussen College!

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1 ORIENTATION

2 WELCOME TO RASMUSSEN COLLEGE Congratulations on becoming a college student. I am excited to welcome you to Rasmussen College! Earning a college credential is a significant investment of your time and resources as well as an invaluable and rewarding endeavor that will be with you throughout your life. Since 1900, Rasmussen College has been helping students obtain the education and skills they need to succeed through courses focused on practical, relevant and real-world learning experiences. We constantly work to evolve our courses to meet the ever-changing demands of employers so that you can be confident in knowing you will be prepared for your career after graduation. To help you make the most of your Rasmussen College experience, I encourage you to review your courses, discuss any questions you may have with your program manager and introduce yourself to your instructors. Together, these individuals, along with others you meet during your academic career, will serve as your SUPPORT+ team and will be instrumental in your future success. You are now a part of the Rasmussen College community, and we want you to feel confident about your educational experience. Again, congratulations on making the decision to become a college student. I wish you the best in your academic studies, and I look forward to seeing you at graduation. Sincerely, Trenda Boyum-Breen President, Rasmussen College JULY

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Getting Started...4 Success Tools - Plan Ahead...5 Success Tools - Digital Content Hub...6 Advisor...7 Understanding Your Schedule...8 College Policies...9 Student Portal...10 Student Account Center...11 Student (SMAIL) vs. Course Mail...12 Academic Affairs...13 Academic Policies and Procedures...14 Online Classroom Interaction...15 Learning Services...16 Library...17 Library Resources...18 Personal Support Center...19 Career Services...20 Career Services Tools...21 Frequently Asked Questions

4 GETTING STARTED We are dedicated to helping you succeed, but your success at Rasmussen College is ultimately up to you. Our SUPPORT+ network of comprehensive student support services can help you meet your goals by: Providing insight on college preparation Preparing your My Academic Plan Assisting you with your financial aid Collaborating with knowledgeable faculty and staff Offering tutoring and mentoring programs Providing thousands of library resources Helping you develop your professional portfolio Supplying 24/7 technical support KEYS TO SUCCESS THROUGHOUT YOUR JOURNEY LEARN WITH CONFIDENCE Be confident. Your outlook toward education will dictate your success. If you have challenges, remember that your SUPPORT+ team is here to help you achieve your goal. ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE Participate in your classes through discussion posts and assignments. Further contribute to your courses by engaging with your faculty and peers as well as utilizing learning resources and technology within your classroom. Active engagement throughout the learning process is directly linked to academic success. COMMUNICATE CONSISTENTLY Respond timely to messages and s by checking both your Rasmussen student (Smail) and your Course Mail. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS Make sure you confirm your schedule each quarter and follow your My Academic Plan. If your schedule changes, note it on your My Academic Plan so you know your progress. If you have not already done so, request official transcripts from any previously attended colleges to ensure timely and accurate credit transfer. ORGANIZE YOUR TIME Always focus on your most important tasks. Schedule dedicated study time on your calendar, so you can study with a clear mind, free from distractions. ASK FOR SUPPORT Chances are, you have other responsibilities outside of school, such as family or work. Prepare for unexpected situations that may arise on the job or at home by having a backup plan in place. Most importantly, stay in communication with your faculty and your SUPPORT+ team. JULY

5 SUCCESS TOOLS This Success Tools section contains two valuable websites the Digital Content Hub and the Plan Ahead page that are available to you right now and will remain helpful resources throughout your college experience. The Digital Content Hub contains tips and tricks for using digital content while the Plan Ahead page features a plethora of resources available at just the click of a mouse. Along with your Student Portal, these two sites are your Success Tools. Plan Ahead Website rasmussen.edu/planahead For student resources, please visit rasmussen.edu/planahead. There you ll find topics such as how to connect with your campus resources, how to more efficiently manage your time and how to study smarter. You will also find tips to guide you in preparing for your career as well as numerous webinars and blogs. If you were to click on FAQS: Answers from RasLLC in the top image, you will be redirected to the Rasmussen College Answers page in the Library and Learning Services area. Here you can find answers to commonly asked questions as well as ask questions of our librarians. Topics covered in the Answers section include general questions about courses, which writing style to use for class papers and utilizing ebooks. We encourage you to play around with all the various tools on the Plan Ahead page before classes begin and continue using it throughout your time here at Rasmussen College. 5

6 SUCCESS TOOLS Digital Content Hub rasmussen.edu/digitalcontent Digital format is the primary method of delivery for course materials. Some course materials are embedded directly in your online courses; however, the majority of your digital course materials and etextbooks can be accessed through VitalSource Bookshelf. Digital course materials include etextbooks or ebooks, videos and other media as well as embedded content. Digital content can do cool things that print books can t. You can easily copy and paste or highlight text. You can also create notes and view them alongside page content, or view them all in one place from the summary view. Best of all, you can print your notes for class! To learn more about digital content, visit our one-stop resources hub for videos, tutorials, downloads and more: rasmussen.edu/digitalcontent. JULY

7 CB Diploma DGEC1 Diploma Gened Communication 1 4 None ADVISOR ASSISTS YOU WITH Guidance on your financial aid application Reviewing your financial aid award letter Clarifying your financial aid eligibility Preparing your My Academic Plan to help you stay on track for a timely graduation date Preparing your schedule each quarter Finding answers to general, school-related questions or concerns Tracking attendance (please see the attendance drop policy in the academic catalog) Tracking grades and success in courses Providing the necessary resources to help get you to graduation YOUR DEGREE COMPLETION TIME IS BASED ON YOUR ENROLLMENT STATUS Full-time is typically 12 or more credits per quarter Part-time is typically 11 or fewer credits per quarter My Academic Plan CATALOG Student Name: Academic Program: Program Credits: Program Start Date: Projected Graduation Date: Advisor: Credential Sequencing: Certificate Credits: Diploma Credits: Associate's Credits: Advisor Advisor Phone: Select Competency Option: Competency options are only available when enrolled in the Associate program. Bachelor's Credits: Scheduling Notes Entrance Placement Information 1 CATEGORY SCORE PLACEMENT COURSE 2 Writing 3 Math 4 TO = a challenge exam may be available CB = a self-paced competency course is available in this category. Competency course titles begin with a CB. Transfer Notes to Student: None CB/TO TERM START MON-YR (sort here) GRADE CREDENTIAL COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE CREDITS PREREQUISITES COMMENTS/ PLANNING OTHER SCHOOL COURSE TITLE/CODE Developmental B080 Reading and Writing Strategies 4 STEP Placement Developmental B087 Practical Math 4 STEP Placement Certificate EC100 Foundations of Child Development 4 None Certificate EC110 Early Childhood Education Curriculum and Instruction 4 Pre/Co-req: Found Child Dev Certificate ECE_Track_Course_1 Select an ECE Track and Course Select Select Course Certificate Certificate EC121 EC200 Health, Safety, and Nutrition/CDA Application Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Education 4 Pre/Co-req: Curriculum & Instruction 4 Early Child Ed Curr & Instruction Certificate ECE_Track_Course_2 Select an ECE Track and Course Select Select Course CB Certificate E242. Career Development 2 None Certificate ECE_Track_Course_3 Select an ECE Track and Course Select Select Course Certificate E185 Freshman Seminar 0 End of Cert Certificate CERTIFICATE COMPLETE Pink Cell = duplicate value, course selection, or pending transfer CB/TO Diploma D132. Computer Applications & Business 3 None Systems Concepts Diploma EC210-SPEC Infant and Toddler Development 4 Found Child Dev 7 Diploma G194 Locating & Evaluating Information 2 None Diploma EC211-SPEC Dynamics of the Family 4 Found Child Dev Diploma EC212-SPEC Emerging Literacy Through Children's 4 None Literature TO Diploma G124 English Composition 4 B080 or STEP placement

8 UNDERSTANDING YOUR SCHEDULE If your course schedule (DAYS) says: M T W R F S MW TR Your course meets residentially on: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Monday and Wednesday Tuesday and Thursday Class start and end times may vary. If you have questions regarding your schedule, please contact your advisor. COURSE DELIVERY MODELS DELIVERY METHOD CODE DESCRIPTION Clinical CLN Clinical Flat/Campus Connect FLAT Residential course taught by an instructor via video conferencing Flat 100 Flat 50 FLAT100 FLAT50 Residential course taught by an instructor via video conferencing that also includes an online element Course delivery split evenly between residential and online; the lecture component of the course will be taught by an instructor via video conferencing Flex 100 FLEX100 Residential course that also includes an online element Flex 50 FLEX50 Course delivery split evenly between residential and online Online Asynchronous ONLA Course delivery completely online Residential Internship RI Residential Internship/Externship/Practicum Residential Lecture RL Residential Course IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE FLAT100 and FLEX100 courses measure attendance through only the residential lecture component. FLAT50 and FLEX50 courses require attendance through both the residential lecture component AND online component. Online courses designated ONLA are strictly online and typically do not have a designated meeting day or time unless otherwise noted. Online attendance is automated through substantive online activity, which consists of completing a discussion post, assignment, or quiz within an online classroom. Lecture courses with a lab and/or clinical component will be split into multiple course components. The lab component will be designated with an L after the course code while the clinical component will be designated with an LL after the course code. Campus Connect courses are FLAT courses (FLAT100, FLAT50) that utilize a new video conferencing technology. These courses will be designated with a CPC after the course code. VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) STUDENTS Applicable only to Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33) recipients: Must attend as a full-time student (12 credits for a full term or 6 credits for a shorter period of attendance) and take one residential class during that period to receive the maximum amount of housing allowance. Must be enrolled in a minimum of 7 credits to receive any monthly housing allowance benefits. Applicable to all students receiving VA Education Benefits: The blended and FLEX50 class formats are considered online classes according to VA requirements. Online remedial (foundation) courses are not covered by the VA. Withdrawing from or failing courses may cause students to have a debt with the VA. Completing a course in its entirety will reduce the likelihood of owing money back to the VA. Rasmussen College cannot guarantee that residential courses will be available for every program every term, and many programs are only offered in an online format. Please reach out to your advisor for more information regarding course offerings. JULY

9 COLLEGE POLICIES CATALOG OVERVIEW QUARTER START AND END DATE A quarter is 13 weeks in length with your classes in session for 11 weeks (or two 5.5-week terms), followed by a two-week break. For exact dates, please refer to the academic calendar located on the Student Portal. ATTENDANCE POLICY A basic requirement for employment in any organization is regular, on-time attendance. You are expected to be on time and in regular attendance for all of your classes. Attendance requirements are met by attending a face-to-face course session at the campus or substantive online activity, including completing a discussion post, assignment, or quiz. At the start of every quarter, you are expected to attend your courses and complete required course work within the first 7 days of the quarter. If you have not met this requirement, you may be administratively withdrawn from the College. Beyond the first week of the quarter, attendance is expected within 14 days from the last date you had attendance and throughout the remainder of the quarter. Similar to the first week, if you do not meet this requirement within the 14-day timeframe, you may be administratively withdrawn from the College. ADD OR DROP POLICY The course drop period is the first five business days of the Quarter (i.e. no tuition billed, no grade entry). The add period for Term 1 and Term 2 (5.5-week courses) is the first two business days of the the Term. The add period for Quarter-long (11-week courses) is the first five business days of the Quarter. Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding Rasmussen College holidays. FERPA The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords you certain rights with respect to your educational records. At Rasmussen College we take protecting your information seriously. We will only disclose or release educational information to those individuals who are documented by you as FERPA contacts in your record. If you would like to make changes regarding your FERPA contact, please contact your campus or make needed changes on the Student Portal. COURSE RESOURCE INFORMATION You will be provided the necessary materials for each of your courses by the start of each quarter. The primary delivery method for course materials is in a digital format. Regularly check your Rasmussen College student (Smail) for updates and access. CREDIT BY EXAMINATION Enrolled students may request credit by examination for courses if: 1) an exam has been developed; and 2) the student has not previously attempted the course (no W/WD or F/FA grade posted). Examinations are administered at no cost to the student. Students have one opportunity to earn a passing score (73% or higher). Credits earned count toward the transfer maximum. For more detailed information regarding our current policies and procedures, please visit rasmussen.edu/degrees/course-catalog. 9

10 STUDENT PORTAL The Student Portal (portal.rasmussen.edu) will be your main hub as a student and will provide you with access to your interactive and self-service SUPPORT+ resources, including: Student Account Center: Access all of your financial information, view holds on your account, update your contact information, and request to drop a course. You can also view academic history and your program progress. Online Courses: Access all your online classes including your Course Mail. Student / Web Mail: View and manage your Rasmussen student (Smail). My Schedule: View and confirm your schedule. Resources: Find information on career services, financial aid, course materials, online tutoring, library resources, academics and student affairs. News and Events: Stay updated on news and events happening on your campus. Hello, Student JULY

11 STUDENT ACCOUNT CENTER The Student Account Center lets you quickly and easily view your account and balance information 24/7, as well as connect directly with campus staff members, including your student advisor. The Student Account Center will keep you better informed, better connected and provide added security. View financial aid ledger card balance and aid package Access to academic history, including grades, degree progress reports, unofficial transcripts and current class schedule Be informed about transcript and financial aid holds and alerts Request a change of address and contact information Communicate and schedule appointments with advisors and other staff members and more 11

12 STUDENT (SMAIL) VS COURSE MAIL As a student at Rasmussen College, you will have access to two separate systems: your Rasmussen College student (Smail) and Course Mail. It is extremely important that you consistently check both accounts. Your Rasmussen College student (Smail) is found in the Student Portal by clicking the icon (portal.rasmussen.edu). Access student by clicking the icon in the top navigation of the Student Portal. Your Course Mail is found in the online classroom (which is accessed through Courses Icon within the Student Portal). Your Course Mail is located in the Communicate tab within the online classroom. You will have separate Course Mail for each of your online courses. JULY

13 ACADEMIC AFFAIRS OUR CREDENTIALED FACULTY ASSIST YOU WITH Incorporating real-world experience into the classroom Gaining key skills, such as communication, critical thinking, diversity/teamwork, information literacy, ethics/professional responsibility and digital fluency to help you become a leader in your field Connecting with resources for your course work and learning skills Guidance on questions or concerns regarding academic policies and procedures IMPORTANT REMINDERS If you have questions regarding your course, contact your faculty Your faculty contact information is located in the syllabus Faculty members are available by phone and and have weekly office hours If you are taking an online course, use the Course Mail in your online class to connect with classmates and/or your faculty Check your grades and feedback weekly (all course have grades posted in the online grade book) If you have spoken to your faculty and still need assistance, contact your academic dean HOW DO YOU ACCESS YOUR ONLINE COURSES? Access the Student Portal - portal.rasmussen.edu Click on Courses icon *Please note that access to your online courses and classroom digital content will be available on the first day of quarter. Rasmussen College systematically reviews all course offerings and curriculum to keep your education up to date and meet the needs of the professional community. 13

14 ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY As an institution of higher learning, Rasmussen College expects student to hold themselves and their peers to the highest level of academic integrity, and accept responsibility should behaviors and actions fall short of the College expectations. Please see your advisor for resources on how to cite sources properly. The complete Academic Integrity policy is found in all course syllabi and in the academic catalog. SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS REQUIREMENTS Your continued success is important; therefore, maintaining satisfactory academic progress ensures you are meeting the requirements for graduation. A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and satisfactory credit completion rates are required. Please see the academic catalog for the Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements, and speak to your advisor if you find yourself not meeting satisfactory academics requirements. We are here to support you. INCOMPLETE POLICY The incomplete policy can be located on your course syllabus and in the academic catalog. It is important to complete your courses on time; however, extenuating circumstances may arise. Please reach out to your faculty to discuss whether or not an incomplete is appropriate for your situation. LATE ASSIGNMENT POLICY The late assignment policy can be located on your course syllabus and in the academic catalog. It is important to turn your assignments in on time. If you fall behind in your classes, reach out to your instructors to set up a plan to get back on track in your classes. ACCOMMODATIONS The mission of Rasmussen College in disability services is to create an accessible college community where disabled students have an equal opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the educational experience. Please see your campus accommodations coordinator for any questions. Please see the academic catalog for details of our accommodations policy. ACADEMIC AWARDS Awarded quarterly and based upon your term grade point average. See academic catalog for details. For more detailed information regarding our current policies and procedures, please visit rasmussen.edu/degrees/course-catalog. JULY

15 ONLINE CLASSROOM INTERACTION INTERACT WITH FACULTY IN A LIVE VIRTUAL CLASSROOM SETTING Communicate instantaneously through written chat feature Participate in active assessment of your learning through polls Relate face to face through web cameras GET TO KNOW OTHER STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM Build a learning community with other students in your program Engage with your peers across the nation Form study groups to improve your understanding of course material and assignments Connect with your community anytime, anywhere with RasLounge: rasmussen.edu/raslounge ONLINE+ COURSES HAVE REGULARLY SCHEDULED LIVE CLASSROOM SESSIONS TO INCREASE YOUR SUCCESS AS AN ONLINE STUDENT Visit open house sessions Attend weekly reviews Participate in live labs to begin course work Join sessions focused around final exams or course projects Online Classroom Interaction DID YOU KNOW? The more interaction students have with the course through attendance in live sessions, the better their performance on course assessments. With today s workforce needing to be more familiar with technology, attending virtual classroom sessions prepares you for a future career where you will contribute to a digital community. 15

16 LEARNING SERVICES ASSISTS YOU WITH Tutoring for class work General study skills Development of learning skills Organization skills Writing assistance Test preparation Study tips Time-management skills SUPPORTS STUDENTS THROUGH Online or in-person tutoring Space and support for study-group meetings Live or recorded webinars Online subject guides An online FAQ database ( Grammarly (writing resource) ACCESSING OR SCHEDULING TUTORING 1. In the Student Portal, click on Tutoring under the Resources drop down menu. Or In any class, click on the Resources tab and then see Online Tutoring Service 3. Live Help displays tutors currently available 4. To schedule an appointment, select Tutor Match 5. For feedback on a writing assignment, choose Writing Lab 6. Need help scheduling a tutoring appointment? Contact your advisor! TUTORING PREPARING FOR A TUTORING SESSION Finish assigned readings and complete as much of your assignment or paper as possible before the session. Bring a copy of your assignment, notes and course materials. Prepare specific questions for your tutor. TUTORING IS... Clarification and guidance on course content and assistance with learning skills, such as time management and test-taking strategies. TUTORING IS NOT... A quick fix before deadlines, an answer person, a way to have your homework checked before you hand it in or a guarantee of a perfect score on your assignment or test. THE LEARNING SERVICES TEAM AIMS TO ENRICH, ENHANCE AND EXPAND STUDENT LEARNING. WE RE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU. JULY

17 LIBRARY Visit our interactive Library and Learning Services webpage here. ELECTRONIC RESOURCES Students have access to more than 100,000 electronic books, videos and audiobooks available to be downloaded or read online from any computer with Internet access The Rasmussen College library provides more than 70 electronic databases covering a broad range of programs and topics Databases can be searched by any computer with an Internet connection and include access to journals, magazines, newspapers, videos, images and more INSTRUCTION Librarians offer online webinars to help students learn to research effectively, use our electronic databases and develop citations and papers using APA style; advisors can also help identify when webinars are available Librarians are available to help students by , chat or text TOOLS AND TUTORIALS NoodleTools for APA reference list and citation assistance Short online instructional videos Recordings of online webinars for independent viewing Subject guides, database guides, an online FAQ database and other online resources ACCESSING THE LIBRARY FROM AN ONLINE CLASS 1. When you are logged in to one of your online classes, click the Resources tab on the top or in the navigation map on the left 2. The Library Resources section has several links to meet your needs FROM THE STUDENT PORTAL 1. Log in to the Student Portal: portal.rasmussen.edu 2. In the Resources drop-down, click Library CONTACT See your advisor for additional information THE LIBRARY IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING THE EDUCATION AND INFORMATION NEEDS OF EVERY STUDENT. WE RE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU. 17

18 LIBRARY RESOURCES Discovery: Your research starts here! Access books, journal articles, newspapers, videos and more. guides.rasmussen.edu/llchome Tutoring Services: Connect to a tutor on-demand, schedule a meeting or submit a paper for review: Student Portal Resources Tutoring Answers: We have answers to your questions sometimes before you ask them! Check out our FAQs at rasmussen.libanswers.com APA Guide: Sample papers, citation assistance and videos. Learn how to give credit for your research: guides.rasmussen.edu/apa NoodleBib: Build citations and keep track of all of your research: guides.rasmussen.edu/noodlebib Library and Learning Services Webinars: Study skills and research questions? Attend live or watch an archive: guides.rasmussen.edu/llcwebinarseries Grammarly: Check for grammar and spelling errors (and plagiarism) for any document in a single click: grammarly.com/edu/students You can find us in the Student Portal under Resources, or in your online courses on the Resources tab. CONTACT US rasmussen.libanswers.com Facebook.com/RasLLC JULY

19 PERSONAL SUPPORT CENTER ASSISTS YOU WITH Accessing your student accounts and Resolving technical issues you may encounter 24/7/365 including:* Login issues and password resets Software installation Online course management information and navigation issues Enrollment application technical assistance issues Browser and operating systems issues Assignment submission archive retrieval CONTACT INFO AND HOMEPAGE portal.rasmussen.edu/pesonalsupportcenter/default.edu Phone: LOGIN INFORMATION Rasmussen College website: rasmussen.edu Accessing the Student Portal: portal.rasmussen.edu Accessing Angel: rasmussen.learntoday.info FOR COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS portal.rasmussen.edu/personalsupportcenter/computerreq.aspx *Please note the PSC is unable to help with homework assistance, assignment tutoring, operating system restores, virus removals, financial information and online research. 19

20 CAREER SERVICES ASSISTS YOU WITH Job search strategies while you re in school, as you near graduation and throughout your career Developing your resume and cover letter Enhancing your interview skills Creating your professional portfolio IMPORTANT REMINDERS Explore internships and/or volunteer opportunities during your program During your last two quarters at Rasmussen College, complete your graduation paperwork and meet with your career services advisor regarding your career goals Before you graduate, make sure we have your preferred non-school address Our career service department s computers, printers and fax machines are available to you at any time as you complete your degree and throughout your career Be proactive in your career search do not wait until you graduate to start your career search or ask for assistance Check your student often; important information on job opportunities, networking and other career-related events are sent to your account weekly Set expectations for your path to graduation; consider early on in your courses how to chart a successful career path Practice your interviewing skills in mock interviews Develop your job search documents, such as your resume and cover letter, using OptimalResume Register for Job Connect to research your career path and locate job opportunities JULY

21 CAREER SERVICES TOOLS OPTIMALRESUME rasmussen.optimalresume.com Create high-impact, interactive career materials based on your career goals, all in one central location! Create chronological resumes, functional resumes or combination resumes. Develop a variety of business and professional letters using a wide selection of templates including: Cover letters Application letters Networking letters Rejection letters Withdrawal letters Broadcast letters Acceptance letters Follow-up letters Thank you letters Hone your interview skills by conducting virtual mock interviews. Scenarios include: Screening interviews Behavioral interviews Initial face-to-face interviews Hiring manager interviews Panel interviews Final interviews JOB CONNECT rasmussen-csm.symplicity.com Free and easy resource to aid you in your job search success! Research / explore your industry with Career Explorer: Discover information on your career path Obtain an outlook on the industry Learn keywords and phrases to incorporate in a resume Access campus and college-wide announcements: Events Webinars and informational presentations Career tips Review and apply for employment opportunities: Full-time and part-time Internship / Externship Supplemental income Other benefits include: Direct links to other job search platforms Sync to other social media accounts (such as Facebook and Twitter) for real-time access to new job postings Build an attractive online portfolio and personal website that demonstrate your unique skills and competencies to employers. 21

22 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. I don t know what to do or where to go. Who can help me? Most answers to your questions or concerns can be resolved through the use of your resources. If you have questions or concerns and you do not know who to contact, your advisor is your one-stop, go-to person. Your advisor s contact information can be found on your Student Account Center. 2. Where can I locate my courses? Your course location, modality (on campus or online) and time can be found on your course schedule. You can access your schedule on the Student Portal (portal.rasmussen.edu). 3. When do I schedule my classes? Classes will be scheduled for you by your advisor. He/she will schedule your classes according to your My Academic Plan. Please note the My Academic Plan is an estimation of your degree path at the time of enrollment and should only be used as a guide. The dates are subject to change based on schedule updates. 4. Why do my online courses show that they meet only on Thursday? Online courses are delivered in an asynchronous format, which means they do not meet on a specific day or at a specific time. Online courses have due dates for assignments that can be located in the Calendar tab in your online course. Log in on Monday of week 1 to identify these due dates. 5. Whom should I contact if I need to make a change to my schedule? Please contact your advisor to discuss any schedule adjustments. 6. How do I change my contact information on my student record? You can update your personal information including your contact information through the Student Account Center, accessed via the Student Portal. 7. How do I locate my faculty members contact information? Your faculty members contact information is located on the course syllabus provided to you the first day of the term. If you are taking an on-campus course, you will be given a hard copy of the course syllabus. If you are taking an online course, the course syllabus is located on the Syllabus tab in your online course. 8. How do I check my final grades? Check your grades frequently through the Report tab within each of your online courses. Your final grades will be viewable after each quarter under My Program Progress located within the Student Account Center, which can be accessed via the Student Portal. 9. When is the last day to add or drop a course? The course drop period is the first five business days of the Quarter (i.e. no tuition billed, no grade entry). The add period for Term 1 and Term 2 (5.5 week courses) is the first two business days of the the Term. The add period for Quarter-long (11 week courses) is the first five business days of the Quarter. Business days are Monday through Friday excluding Rasmussen College holidays. Please contact your advisor for more information. 10. What format should I use to cite information in my assignments? Rasmussen College utilizes APA format. APA stands for American Psychological Association and is a style of writing used to cite sources of information in your course papers. More information about APA formatting can be found here. JULY

23 11. What is digital content? Digital content is any information that comes in digital (electronic) form. It can include everything from PDFs, video clips, interactive quizzes, etextbooks, articles, images, animations and even webcasts. Rasmussen College has created a comprehensive Digital Content Hub at rasmussen.edu/digitalcontent to help students navigate the different forms of digital content and answer questions on usage. 12. Can I access my electronic resources from my tablet, smartphone or laptop? Many laptops, smartphones and tablets support etext reading. Please visit our Digital Content Hub at rasmussen.edu/digitalcontent to learn more. 13. I don t know how to use an etextbook where can I get training and guidance? Our faculty and staff are well versed on how to use digital content and can assist with any questions you may have. We also encourage students to utilize our Digital Content Hub located at rasmussen.edu.digitalcontent that contains how-to videos, best practices and FAQs. 14. Whom do I contact for technology-related issues? If you are on campus, your advisor can direct you to the IT support specialist for technology-related assistance. If you are not on campus, you can call our 24/7 Personal Support Center at for technical assistance. 15. What if I forget how to perform a task in my online course? If you are on campus, your advisor will help you resolve any issues with your online courses. If you are not on campus, you can call our 24/7 Personal Support Center at for answers to your online course questions. 16. How much time will I need to spend on my online course work? This really differs from person to person; however, consider the time you would spend in a class on campus. If you spend four hours in a lecture environment in a traditional setting, consider that you will be required to spend the equivalent time reading lecture material in an online environment. Also, be sure to allocate time for assignments, projects and papers. 17. How do online courses work? Can I log in whenever I want? In online courses, students attend class by accessing the class web pages and completing assignments according to the class schedule. Students communicate regularly with the instructor and classmates by and online discussion forums. Online courses are NOT self-paced, independent study courses. Students are required to complete assignments according to the class schedule, to maintain regular contact with the instructor and to participate in online class discussions. 18. What is an Online+ course? Throughout your program, you may be enrolled in an online course that includes a live virtual classroom session. In these courses, an instructor will schedule a time to meet regularly with the class to address weekly objectives, explain assignments and discuss current topics in the field. Attendance will be taken and in some courses, you will complete an assessment after participating in the class. These live classroom sessions are embedded within the weekly lessons to enhance your learning experience. 19. Do I need to fill out a new FAFSA each year if I m using financial aid? Yes. After completing your taxes each year, you must submit a new FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at fafsa.ed.gov if you intend to utilize financial aid for the upcoming award year. 23

24 20. How do I start preparing for my new career, especially if I have little to no experience in that field? Attend our quarterly online career services webinars that speak to a variety of job search strategy techniques. Also, connect with your faculty members or career services advisor to discuss internship and volunteer opportunities. 21. How do I start my job search and meet hiring managers within my career field? Start by building a strong resume on OptimalResume, and register on Job Connect to research part-time, full-time, internship or volunteer opportunities. In addition, we host career fairs and networking expos throughout the year. These are great opportunities to meet hiring managers in your field of study. We recommend you begin attending them while you are a student to form relationships and discover potential opportunities while in school. 22. How do I answer those tricky interview questions? Practice interviewing through the interviewing tool in OptimalResume and connect with your career services advisor to conduct a mock interview. 23. How do I build my own professional network? Join the Rasmussen College Alumni Association and LinkedIn Alumni Group to connect with more than 1,400 members. Also, explore professional networking opportunities, such as the Chamber of Commerce and industry-specific organizations. Connect with alumni through the Rasmussen College facebook page facebook.com/rasmussenalumni 24. How do I refer a friend to Rasmussen College? To refer a friend you can either give your friend s information to a Rasmussen College staff or faculty member, or you can simply visit rasmussen.edu/referral to refer your friends and encourage them to achieve their academic goals with Rasmussen College. 25. I need to submit information for tuition reimbursement. Where can I find this information? Most information required for tuition reimbursement can be found on the Student Account Center. Here you will be able to access a copy of your grades as well as your tuition from the previous quarter. For more frequently asked questions, please visit rasmussen.edu/locations/online-campus/faq. JULY