Online Course Policies

Start Anytime Online Courses

These begin when you enroll. From the date of enrollment, you have a minimum of 90 days and a maximum of 180 days to complete the course (including the final exam or project). The 180 days begin when you enroll, not when you begin coursework. Course completion dates are strictly enforced.

Expect a minimum of 30 days per semester unit to finish by the course end date; for 3–4 unit semester-long courses, there is a minimum of 90 days of study. This allows for instructor-led interaction and feedback between assignments to get the most out of your class. You may only submit assignments for one module at a time, allowing up to one week (or 7 days) for grading and feedback from your instructor. If you are unable to complete your coursework and do not officially withdraw from the online course before the completion date, you may receive a failing grade (F).

Fixed-Date Online Courses

Fixed-Date online courses have specific start and end dates. Your access to the course content begins on the course start date. You will complete assignments within the specific dates posted in your online classroom, and as set by your instructor in the course syllabus.

Live Online Courses

Live Online courses emphasize a classroom-style interactive learning experience with your instructor and classmates through scheduled online sessions via Zoom video conferencing (Pacific Time). Depending upon the type of course and the varied teaching styles of instructors, Live Online courses may include lectures, group discussions and collaborative activities.

Canvas Classrooms

UC Berkeley Extension hosts online classrooms on multiple systems. Most UC Berkeley Extension online classrooms are hosted on Canvas. See “Other Online Classrooms” below if you are enrolled in Paralegal Studies or Semiconductor IC Design courses.

Extension employs the Canvas learning management system (onlinelearning.berkeley.edu) and its various tools to deliver online courses. Instruction for Start Anytime and Fixed Date online courses is fully designed and delivered through Canvas, while Live Online instructors use Canvas, in addition to Zoom, to enhance their courses by sharing extra course materials and resources, posting recorded lectures, and facilitating group discussion and other learning activities.

After you enroll in a course, it will take approximately one hour before you can log in to your Canvas Classroom. We recommend that you create your account as soon as possible so that you can access the course content when it becomes available:

• Fixed Date Courses: You can access your class on its start date.

• Continuous Enrollment Courses: You can access your course approximately one hour after you enroll.

Go to onlinelearning.berkeley.edu. Bookmark this URL and use it to access your online classroom going forward.

• First login:

  • Click on the "Forgot password?" link.

  • On the next screen, enter your Extension student account number in the Username field and click on the Request Password button.

  • You will receive an email with instructions on setting up a password for this site. Follow those instructions and create your password. Your Canvas password may be different from the password you use to log into your student account on the UC Berkeley Extension website.

  • Problems? If you are having difficulty logging in for the first time, please email onlinehelp@berkeley.edu for assistance.

• Each subsequent login:

  • Go to onlinelearning.berkeley.edu.

  • Enter your student username and the password you created at first login.

  • Use this method to log into onlinelearning.berkeley.edu for any additional enrollments.

• Other Canvas Resources:

  • Quick Start Guide for Students
  • Canvas Student Guide
  • Canvas Overview Video

Zoom

Zoom is UC Berkeley’s video conferencing service. Zoom provides a stable, easy-to-use platform for interactive lectures and discussions. UC Berkeley Extension uses the Zoom platform to deliver Live Online classes.

If you don’t already have a Zoom account, you must sign up for a free, consumer Zoom account before your class begins. Your instructor will send you invitations to your Zoom meetings.

• Zoom invitations are sent to the preferred email address that you entered in your Extension student account.
• Zoom invitations are also posted as announcements in your Canvas classroom at onlinelearning.berkeley.edu.
• You will be prompted to sign in to your Zoom account every time you click on a Zoom invitation link and join a Live Online class.
• Alternatively, you can dial in via the phone.
• Your instructor may also send you a passcode to join the meeting.

In addition, we recommend that you:

• Refer to the Zoom Quickstart Guide for New Users.
• Review Zoom’s Equipment and System Requirements and test your internet and Wi-Fi connectivity.
• Download the free Zoom software to your device so that you can take advantage of all of Zoom’s features during class.
• Go to Zoom's download page. The download to your computer will start automatically.
• Zoom for Mobile/Tablet:
• iOS
• Android

Report Zoom Bombing

Please join us in upholding our campus Principles of Community. If you experience Zoom bombing that attacks on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation or other protected category, or is sexually explicit, we encourage you to report the incident directly to zoom-misuse@berkeley.edu. For additional resources, visit our Stop Hate website or the campus Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination. UC Berkeley leadership has zero tolerance for Zoom bombing, and such incidents will be fully investigated.

Other Online Classrooms

If you are enrolled in courses in the following programs, you will receive your login information by email within 1 to 3 business days after you enroll. Please contact the academic department for further assistance.

• Certificate Program in Paralegal Studies

  • Email: extension-business@berkeley.edu

  • Phone: (510) 642-4231

  • Paralegal Studies Login

• Certificate Program in Semiconductor IC Design

  • Email: extension-techeng@berkeley.edu

  • Phone: (510) 642-4151

  • Semiconductor IC Design Login

Start Anytime Courses

Allot at least two weeks to complete the exam release process. Your instructor will need to approve the release of your exam. All of your coursework must be graded and you must meet the time-in-course requirement of 30 days per semester unit (90 days for courses that are 3 or more units). The exam must be completed by the 180th day of enrollment, which is your course end date.

To request instructor approval to take your final exam:

1. Log into your student portal
2. Click on "My Proctored Exams" tab
3. Click on the "Send Request" option

Once your exam is approved for release by your instructor, your request status will change from "Sent" to "Approved" and you will receive an email notification. The email will instruct you to log back in to your student portal. Under "My Proctored Exams" you will click "Select a Proctor."

Fixed-Date Courses

Your exam is available one week before the course end date and one week after the course end date.

We recommend you identify your proctor after you enroll in the course and no later than midway through the course to ensure that you are able to meet your course completion date. Please note that some proctoring facilities or individuals may charge for services. These costs are negotiated and paid directly between the student and the proctor.

Approved Proctors

View our approved Exam Centers. If you find a proctor on this list, do not submit a new proctor nomination. When your "My Proctored Exams" tab shows the "Select a Proctor" option, select this option and follow the prompts.

New Proctors

If you are unable to identify a proctor from the approved list, nominate a new individual or exam center. To submit a new proctor nomination, follow the steps listed under the "New Proctor Nomination Process" section.

Acceptable New Proctors are:

• A university or professional testing/learning center.
• A member of the National Testing Center Association (NTCA).
• A high school principal or administrator (no middle or elementary school administrators)
• A college or university faculty member
• A public or university librarian
• U.S. embassy or EducationUSA office staff (for international students)
• Active Duty Military may nominate their military chaplain or education officer

New Proctor Nomination Process:

1. Log into your student portal.
2. Click on "My Proctors" tab.
3. Click "Nominate a New Proctor," and submit the online form with the nominated proctor’s information:
   1. For an exam center list the name of the director with the center’s general email address.
   2. For individuals, list the email address associated with their place of employment.
4. Exams Unit will send a verification form to the nominated proctor within 2 business days.
5. The form must be completed and returned by the nominated proctor before the nomination can be reviewed.
6. Within 2 business days after we receive the verification form, we will email our decision to you and the nominated proctor.

Note: Professional colleagues, personal acquaintances and relatives are not permissible proctors. Additionally, we do not manage proctors’ calendars. Contact your proctor directly to schedule your final exam.

Assigning your Proctor

Start Anytime Courses

After your instructor has approved your exam release, you may assign your proctor to your exam.

• Log into your student portal
• Click on "My Proctored Exams"
• Click on "Select a Proctor"
• Click on "I would like to take this exam at an exam center"

Your final exam will be released within 3 business days after assigning your proctor to your final exam. You will receive an email notifying you when the exam has been sent. Contact your proctor directly to schedule your final exam.

Fixed-Date Courses

• Log into your student portal
• Click on "My Proctored Exams"
• Click on "Select a Proctor"
• Click on "I will select one of my approved proctors"

One week before the opening of the exam availability window, we will begin releasing the final exam to your assigned proctor. You will receive an email notifying you when the exam has been sent. Contact your proctor directly to schedule your final exam.

Changing your Proctor

To change your proctor, please follow these steps:

1. Log into your student portal
2. Click on "My Proctored Exams"
3. Click on "Change Proctor"
4. Click on "Change"
5. For an approved exam center, select your alternate proctor from the drop-down menu
6. For an individually approved proctor, select "Back" and "I will select one of my approved proctors"
7. Proceed accordingly, and click "Finish" to save the changes

Email extension-exams@berkeley.edu to notify us that you have changed proctors.

Review your course syllabus or ask your instructor about exam requirements and other important information. Plan carefully to ensure you arrive on time.

Items to bring for your exam:

• A government-issued photo identification card. Your legal name must match your student account name. To make any corrections to your name, email extension-records@berkeley.edu.
• A pen or pencil.
• A pre-addressed, prepaid envelope (with $3.00 U.S. postage) addressed to:

  Exams, Student Services
  UC Berkeley Extension
  1995 University Ave., Suite 200
  Berkeley, CA 94704

Items not allowed during your exam:

• Programmable and graphing calculators
• Laptops or other electronic devices
• Ebooks: If you purchased an ebook of your course text and a book is allowed for your exam, you will need to get a hard copy of your book in order to use it on the exam.

If you are unable to keep an exam appointment, notify your proctor directly and notify Student Services at extension-exams@berkeley.edu.