What courses are offered online?

MGT 103 Applied Business Foundations

PAD 551 Social Change

FIN 210 Personal Finance

ISOM 212 Web Design
BLE 214 Principles of Business Law
ACCT 201 Accounting for Decision Making I
ISOM 201 Data and Decision Analysis
MKT 315 Integrated Marketing Communication

The College of Arts and Sciences also offers online undergraduate courses, although their schedule differs. Some of the BSBA requirements from the College can be completed online.

back to top^

Who can register?

Business students: If you are a business student and are looking to get ahead with your BSBA program, then explore the courses being offered this summer. You may register for any of the online courses as long as you have the required prerequisites. Students who have taken MGT 101 may not sign up for MGT 103. 

Arts and Sciences students: Are you considering a minor in business? To help you get started we are offering the required first course in a special online format -- MGT 103 Applied Business Foundations. This can be taken in lieu of MGT 101 as a pre-req to many of the business courses.  Are you simply looking for a business elective? We recommend ISOM 212 Web Design, FIN 210 Personal Finance, or BLE 214 Principles of Business Law.

Non-degree seeking students who are recent high school graduates or are from other universities can register through the CAPS program. Four business courses are open to everyone [MGT 103 Applied Business Foundations, ISOM 212 Web Design, FIN 210 Personal Finance, and BLE 214 Principles of Business Law]. If you have completed the prerequisites, there are four other courses available as well [ACCT 201 Accounting for Decision Making 1; PAD 551 Social Change; MKT 315 Integrated Marketing Communication; and ISOM 201 Data and Decision Analysis].

back to top^

How do I register for a course?

Suffolk students in SBS and CAS should register online through SAIL as they would for any other summer courses. If you are not currently a Suffolk student, please follow the instructions for taking a Continuing Education course. 

back to top^

What are "chat times"?

The online courses have mandatory weekly live chats. In this context, ‘chat’ doesn’t mean instant messaging, but a group conversation that happens synchronously (live) either by text or audio (or a mix). Faculty use chat times to help students better understand the course material, whether it is by ‘lecturing’, by facilitating discussions of the material, or by posing questions for small groups to discuss in separate chat rooms and then report back to the full group – all online, all live. Most classes will also require threaded discussions as another means of having students discuss and explore the course content. Whatever the expectations, they will be outlined in the syllabus and participation is required whether the discussions are live or threaded.

The chat times are currently set for each course, so before you register make sure that you will be free at those times for the entire 10-week duration of the course. The orientation required before you start the class will ensure you are prepared for both types of discussions.

back to top^

What is the schedule?

The online courses offered by the Business School follow a 10-week schedule, that begins at the start of the Summer I session. Courses with a Monday/Wednesday chat times begin Monday May 17th and courses with Tuesday/Thursday chat times begin Tuesday May 18th.  Grades will be submitted by the end of Summer Session II.

back to top^

How do I complete the required online orientation?

Students registered for a particular online course will receive information in late April about the mandatory orientation for that class. This information will also be posted in BlackBoard as an announcement. At that time you will be asked to confirm that you have the appropriate hardware and software, which you can see listed in the technical guidelines section below. If you are unable to meet the minimum standards, you will have to drop the class. Students who do not complete the orientation may also be asked to drop the class. The orientation ensures that everyone is ready to contribute in the first class meeting.

back to top^

What are the technology requirements?

Connection:

• DSL or cable broadband internet access is necessary for the best online learning experience. We do NOT recommend WiFi as small drops in the service can disconnect the student from the live class.
• Students planning to take an online class from a remote area must be assured of uninterrupted electrical supply.

Hardware/System/Equipment:

• A personal computer with the Windows operating system (the program does not provide support for Apple Macintosh computers)
• Windows 2000, or XP operating system. While you may be able to run the software on older operating systems, please note that support will either be limited or non-existent. We recommend upgrading your operating system in such cases if you plan on taking classes online.
• 256 MB Ram MINIMUM. We recommend 512 MB Ram or higher
• Your personal computer should be equipped with a soundcard and speakers
• A good quality microphone for web conferencing is needed in many courses

Software:

• Microsoft Office Suite 2000, XP or 2003
• Microsoft Internet Explorer browser version 6.0 or latest is require
• The free software plug-ins listed below, available for download from our support site:
• Real 10 Media Player or latest
• Macromedia Flash Player
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Java 1.4.1 software
  

back to top^

What if I have technical questions?

• For problems with BlackBoard usage, please call 1-866-886-4861
  
• Or, click on the help link within BlackBoard where you can access various forms of assistance there, including live chat.
  
• If you are looking for 24/7 Email, Campus Cruiser and/or BlackBoard support,  please call the ITS Help Desk at (617) 557-2000.  On campus, just dial 2000.
  
• The Help Desk Walk-in Center located in Sawyer 208 provides in-person support to students, faculty and staff of Suffolk University. Hours are 9:00am – 5:00pm, Monday through Friday
  
• Website for student technical support: http://www.suffolk.edu/offices/24179.html

Accessing online classes from the workplace: If you want to access course content from a computer system at your workplace, be aware that many corporations have strict firewall and internet security protocols and policies in place. Corporate users may be prevented from installing non-approved software that may be needed to access course content. This issue is ultimately a student responsibility and should be resolved directly between the student and his/her corporate IT support staff.

 

back to top^