Learn online

If you have responsibilities and involvements that make a flexible course format more ideal to further your education, you have options at Young Harris College.

Register for online classes

Throughout the regular academic year, traditional degree-seeking undergraduate classes take place in person on the YHC campus. However, if the need arises, online classes will be offered as necessary.

eSummer program

Working this summer and can’t get back to the mountains for classes? The 8-week eSummer program offers both core and upper-divisional classes for your major. Many of our summer courses can also be taken by dual enrollment students.

Summer online classes are asynchronous online classes, which can be accomplished at any time of day.

See the 2025 summer schedule (PDF)

Dual Enrollment program

If you are a Georgia high school student taking dual enrollment classes, you can earn college credits for free while completing your high school diploma.

YHC Dual Enrollment offers asynchronous online classes, in-person synchronous classes at partner high schools, and options to take classes on the YHC campus.

Learn about YHC Dual Enrollment

Master of Arts in Teaching

The YHC MAT program is for students with a baccalaureate degree who wish to obtain initial teacher certification in Biology, English, History, or Mathematics. The program prepares graduates for teacher certification in grades 6-12.

MAT classes are offered in real-time online format. Students attend ‘live’ scheduled classes via video, with online resources and and assignments.

Learn about the YHC MAT program

Frequently asked questions about online learning

What is expected of me in an online course?

Taking an online course provides students with flexibility by replacing face-to-face traditional classes with engaging online instructional activities. Online courses require that you work on your own at a computer and do a lot of reading. In order to be successful in an online course, you must:

Successfully complete the Moodle Online Orientation course prior to the class start date
Download and install all necessary software and be willing to watch tutorials if you need help with the software
Seek help from your instructor when needed
Regularly log in to the online course and follow the course calendar located in this syllabus
Fully engage in the online learning activities including podcasts, homework, discussion forums, and projects
Ensure that you have a quiet learning space for completing your online work

If you still are unsure if an online class is right for you, download and complete a self-inventory.

Can I take online classes from anywhere?

If you have a good, stable internet connection, you should be fine. If you are visiting a foreign country, you might have problems with blocks placed by that country. If that is an issue for you, contact out IT department for a resolution.

How comfortable should I be using technology?

An online course will require students to download and upload documents, participate in online forums, and discussions and take online quizzes and tests. Students should be comfortable using a computer, navigating the Internet and sending/receiving email.

What are the technology requirements for online courses?

You must have access to a computer (not a tablet) with:

Broadband Internet connection. Examples of broadband Internet connection are high-speed DSL or cable modem. You must have a back-up plan (a local library or fast-food restaurant, for example) in case your Internet goes out. Lack of wi-fi is not an acceptable excuse for missing a deadline.
Chrome or Edge for Windows and Apple computers with the Proctorio extension installed
YHC e-mail
A webcam with microphone for quiz/exam proctoring
The latest version of Adobe Reader
A current word processing software
Other software as dictated by course requirements in the course syllabus

Students are provided with a downloadable copy of Microsoft 365. Once you have obtained a YHC username and password, use these instructions to download the software.

When and where will I take the final exams for these courses?

Final exams are held in the last week of the semester. They can be taken from anywhere with a good Internet connection. The exams have a window of time to be taken and you can choose when to take the exam in that window of time. Once you begin, you only have 150 minutes to complete the exam. You must use a computer with a webcam/mic and a Chrome browser.

NOTE: If you will be out of the United States, your country might block some internet access. Please contact the YHC IT department to find a solution.

To ensure the security and integrity of the exam process, a proctored experience is required for successful completion of a YHC online course. A proctored exam is one in which the student is monitored while taking the exam. All YHC Online Courses have proctored final exams. Some may have additional proctored tests within the course.

Environment requirements for testing

A quiet, secure, fully lighted room for the examination
No other people in the room
Sit at a clean desk or clean table (not in a bed or sofa)
No talking out loud or communicating with others by any means (with the exception of contact with the faculty member in an emergency)
No leaving the room
Nothing except computer and external cameras on the desktop or tabletop. This includes the removal of all books, papers, notebooks, and other materials, unless specifically permitted in written guidelines for a particular examination.
Students are not allowed to use the following unless otherwise noted by instructor/exam giver: Excel; Word; PowerPoint; Calculator (online/computer or handheld devices; Textbooks (online/computer or hardcopy books); Notes (online/computer or hardcopy notes); Pen and Paper (for the purpose of taking notes during exam or calculations); Other websites.
External cameras, when possible, should be placed on the lid of the laptop or where it will have a constant, uninterrupted view of the test taker
No writing visible on desk or on walls
No music playing
No other computers or other digital devices running in the exam room
No headphones or ear buds allowed
Webcam must be focused on the individual test taker
Lighting must be good quality

What is Proctorio? Is it required?

Young Harris College has partnered with Proctorio to provide proctored exams in all YHC online courses. Proctorio is a cloud based system that integrates with the Moodle LMS (Learning Management System). Proctorio authenticates the identity of the test taker and captures the entire exam session which is later reviewed by the instructor.

Students will need a computer with a webcam and microphone (internal or USB), their student ID, the Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser, and the Proctorio extension for exams. Proctorio is NOT compatible with tablets such as the Kindle Fire or iPad. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure these requirements are met.

If you have technical problems with proctoring, check to make sure that you are using the Chrome browser and have the Proctorio extension installed. If you continue to experience technical issues, Proctorio offers 24/7 technical support to students at 866-948-2039. This number should work 24/7 but you may have to leave a message and receive a call back. More information can be found at Proctorio’s Student Help page.

Will I have a flexible schedule?

Although online courses take a lot of time and work, the time and work can be done on your schedule. If a student has work or family commitments, an online course might be a good fit.

Note: Real-time online courses do require you to log on during certain hours. Currently this only applies to the courses for the Master of Arts in Teaching. All other online courses can be done on your schedule.

How will I find my way around my course?

YHC uses Moodle as its main tool for online courses and students will be required to pass a short orientation which will familiarize the student with the activities within Moodle. Within each YHC online course, the faculty member will be the guide to help the student navigate the course.

Now that I’ve decided to take an online course, what do I do next?

Once registered in your online course, you will receive information about your course materials and how to access the Moodle orientation. Students should complete Moodle orientation before the course start date. Students can email the instructor to ask about specific requirements. Moodle can be accessed here.

Online credentials and licensure

NC-SARA approved

Young Harris College has been approved by Georgia to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education.

Professional licensure information

If a student is not a resident of Georgia and is taking a course or program leading to professional licensure, Young Harris College cannot guarantee the course or program leads to professional licensure in the student’s home state. Each U.S. state or territory defines its own requirements for licensing and/or certification in professional fields and Young Harris College recommends that the student inquire with the appropriate licensing agency or board in the state the student intends to practice prior to enrollment.

Students interested in Teacher Preparation Programs should review the Professional Licensure Information for the YHC Teacher Preparation program in the Master of Arts in Teaching Program or the NC SARA Teacher Education Directory.

Questions about online courses?

Contact the Office of the Registrar by email or at (706) 379-5230.