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Online Learning

WSCC provides learners with several alternative ways to take college credit courses. Online and hybrid courses require minimal on-campus visits, so students with job and/or family responsibilities are able to continue their education. 

In fact, more than 400 students each semester take online courses, with over 25 courses to choose from. Online and hybrid courses follow the same semester schedule as on-campus courses, have weekly assignment deadlines, require weekly participation in discussion forums, and are as rigorous as on-campus courses.

WSCC offers courses and programs online. Courses range from completely online or online with proctored testing to a blend of online and on-campus (hybrid) delivery. These courses are accessed using using our learning management system called Canvas .

For the most up-to-date list of online or hybrid courses, please use the Course Search tool on my.westshore.edu

  • Select your semester

  • Under Method, select Online or the method desired

  • Click the search button at the bottom of the screen

Search for online courses and availability

Online courses are delivered over the Internet using a learning management system. The College uses a learning management system called Canvas. Instruction occurs entirely online, although some courses require proctored on-campus testing in the Learning & Testing Center, second floor Schoenherr Campus Center. Most online courses require that you attend an on-campus orientation session.


Hybrid courses are online courses that include scheduled classroom instruction on campus. For example: the hybrid Anatomy & Physiology course requires an on campus lab every other Friday.

Michigan Colleges Online

The Michigan Colleges Online (MCO) provides students with expanded access to online courses and programs of study through all Michigan community colleges.

If you can't find the course or program you're looking for at WSCC and you think you can be successful with online learning, check out the MCO website. This collaborative is designed to allow current Michigan community college students to take courses from other member colleges while still receiving support services at the designated "home" college and maintaining their academic record at the college from which they are seeking a degree or certificate (the "degree-granting" college).

Here's how MCO works:

  • Colleges that will be offering and conducting the courses are considered Provider colleges.

  • Colleges that will be supporting students taking courses via the MCO with library services, advising, testing, tutoring, etc. are considered Home colleges.

  • The college from which a student is pursuing a program of study (associates degree or certificate of completion) is considered the Degree-granting college. Each student must seek Financial Aid and Academic Advising from their Degree-granting college.

  • As a student enrolling via the MCO, you will need to identify a home college when requesting registration into a course.

  • Transfer equivalencies can be determined by accessing the Michigan Transfer Network.

  • You will receive course information from the Provider college and complete the course through that college.

  • You will pay tuition to the Provider college.

  • After the completion of the course, the Provider college will notify the degree-granting college so the course can be included on your transcript.

  • Complete degrees and certificates can be earned online. Check out the listing here.

Tips for Success

Once you've decided to try online learning, consider these tips for getting the most out of your online learning experience. Remember, online courses are NOT easier than on-campus courses, so be prepared to spend at least 9-12 hours per week working on your online course.

Be sure to attend the required orientation session, if one is scheduled. If you are new to online learning, consider taking the "Is Online Learning Right for Me?" self assessment.
Purchase all required course materials and load any course software within the first couple days of the semester and contact the professor immediately if you are having difficulty.
Be an experienced computer user. You don't need to be an expert, but you should know how to download and install plug-ins and web-browsers, upload and download files, navigate and open multiple tabs in your browser, disable popups, enable cookies, have reliable high speed web access, and troubleshoot general issues. The computer labs on campus can be used if your home computer doesn't work or have the right software.
Be sure to read all course information, syllabi, instructions, contact information, and communications from your professor and the college. Follow the requirements in the course to stay current with textbook reading assignments.
Be sure to log in on the first day of the semester and complete any introductory activities. Set aside time to take your class each week. Log in 3-5 times per week. This will prevent you from getting behind quickly as most online courses required your regular participation in discussion forums. You should also check your WSCC email daily for course related information. Important course information may come to your WSCC email before, after, and during the semester.
Be sure to manage and prioritize your time, be active, study hard, participate in online discussion, stay organized, submit assignments on time, don't procrastinate, keep a calendar or checklist to be sure you are on task. Self-motivation is also important because no one is going to tell you to login, study, and submit assignments. The key is to have a dedicated time set aside for your course work and to minimize distractions that hinder you from studying and participating.
Believe you can do it? Have confidence in yourself, your academic ability, and expect to be successful. Be aware of where you need to improve and don't get behind. If you are unable to login, have technical issues or are confused, contact your instructor or the IT Help Desk immediately.
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