Online College FAQ
There are many advantages to online learning:
It is cost effective – no commuting.
It allows you to study and learn at your convenience and own pace
You can receive information and even obtain a degree while still holding down a full-time job.
With e-learning, you can learn any time, any place where there is a computer; there’s 24/7 accessibility.
Most employers have tuition reimbursement as an employee benefit. They will be glad that you don’t have to "leave work" to attend a class.
You can prepare for professional certifications, take a single course to help you personally or on the job, or work toward a college degree – all without leaving your home
You can meet other professionals – just like yourself – from literally around the world.
You actually have better access to faculty and technical help because you can post questions or seek assistance any time of the day or night – not just during faculty "office hours."
There’s no circling the campus looking for student parking.
IAAP has successfully worked with the Wisconsin Technical College System, its educators and administrators, for many years, in many different ways. Examples of past ventures included: the PSI Model Curriculum For Business Education and the PSI Postsecondary Model Curriculum For Office Careers (IAAP was formerly called Professional Secretaries International or PSI); and the National Skill Standards Board participated in providing input on Administrative Professions, to name a few projects. IAAP respects the vision and emphasis on quality education that Madision College has demonstrated in all its programs for administrative professionals. Their dual focus on technology and interpersonal skills complements the skills that employers across the nation are requiring of capable, promotable, and exceptional support staff.
For online courses, students must have access to a computer with the following recommended requirements:
| 2 Gigahertz (GHz) processor or faster | Sound Card or integrated/on board sound |
| High-speed Internet connection | Plug-ins as needed (webcam and microphone recommended) |
| 80 GB hard drive | Microsoft Office 2010 |
| 2 GB Ram | Internet Explorer 7 or later |
| Windows XP or later |
You may obtain an online Administrative Professional Associate Science Degree. It requires 67 credits. You may receive experiential credit for some courses based on your work experience, test for advanced standing, and apply for selected certifications. Courses may be applied to academic institutions for a Bachelor’s degree in selected program areas, at the discretion of individual schools. See the section that outlines the necessary courses and their descriptions.
Any of the courses listed in the AP Administrative Professional Program may be taken individually. You do not need to plan on working toward a degree, but can take courses to fill skill gaps or to keep pace with changing work requirements.
Madision College Advising:
Advising services will be available to online students. You can e-mail, phone, fax, or use the Blackboard for communication with campus faculty and staff.
Blackboard:
Blackboard is the Web Classroom software used for most Madison College online courses. It can be accessed through http://matcmadison.edu/matc and clicking on Blackboard under Student Resources. Students can use this site to view class syllabi, assignments, and other information in a uniform structure.
A discussion board specifically for IAAP members who are Madision College students or considering enrollment in the Madison College program is available here: http://blackboard.matcmadison.edu/
Log in instructions for the IAAP/Madision College blackboard:
- Log in by using AA for both the username and password.
- Under "My Classes" choose Online Administration Program.
- Click the Discussion Board button on the left of the screen.
- Click "Add New Thread" to enter chat, or click on existing chat to read messages.
Registration may be completed by phone or online. There will be no out-of-state tuition. The tuition range will be approximately $120 per credit hour. There is a one-time $30 application fee (dependent on continuous enrollment, plus a $5 online processing fee). Textbooks and instructional materials may be purchased online. Students have online library access and may purchase selected software at a discount. Qualified/Certified instructors present the classes; help is provided for any technical problems/questions that arise during the course.
Textbooks may be ordered online at www.matcbookstore.com. Web orders will be shipped the next business day. A fee of approximately $15 will be added to the cost of each textbook to cover shipping and handling. Either prepayment or credit card may be used to purchase textbooks.
Course testing varies. It may include projects, multiple-choice tests, hands-on tests, and other forms of evaluating understanding and application of the material.