Academics & Classes FAQs

Find answers to the Frequently Asked Questions related to Academics & Classes:

• How do I login to attend my classes when the semester starts?
  • You can access courses you are enrolled in through Canvas starting one week before the first day of the semester, as soon as the instructor publishes them. If you don’t see a course yet, wait until the semester starts. If you still don’t see it on Canvas, email your instructor. If your class has synchronous (real-time) meetings, the Zoom link will be posted in Canvas. You can find instructions on how to login to Canvas in the How-To section.  
• I am on the waitlist for a class. Can I still attend class online so I don’t fall behind?

  • Students on the waitlist may be able to see courses on Canvas in a “view only” mode, if the instructor has made the course visible in the Canvas Course Index. To search for a course, you must log into Canvas through One.SJSU, click on Courses, then All Courses, then Browse More Courses, and search by the course number (e.g., CHEM-1A).  

    If you don’t find the course you are looking for in the Canvas Course Index, you can email the instructor and ask if they are willing to temporarily add you to the Canvas course roster to allow you to access course materials. If not, you will need to wait until you are enrolled in the course to participate through Canvas.

• Who can I contact if I have questions or problems accessing my classes, or other campus services?

  • For technology-related issues contact IT services by email, phone, or live chat.

    For questions about student services including admissions, registration, and payment, the Student Services Center is available by phone and live chat: https://www.sjsu.edu/registrar/about-us/contact-us.php 

    SJSU Call Center: 408-283-7500
    Registrar's Office Live Chat: https://www.sjsu.edu/registrar/
    Enrollment Services website: https://www.sjsu.edu/enrollmentservices/

• How do I know what time my online class meets?

  • Some online classes are synchronous - these classes will meet in real time via Zoom or another online meeting platform. Class days and times will be listed in the course schedule. 

    
    Other online classes are asynchronous - these classes do not have real time meetings and will have “TBA” listed under “Days & Time” in the course schedule. In asynchronous classes students complete coursework on their own time, following the course schedule.

• How can I add a class after the semester starts?

  • For most classes, the waitlist will remain active until for the first 9 days of the semester . To add a class, you will go through the normal registration process and if the class is full you will be added to the waitlist. If a spot becomes available, the next student on the waitlist will be automatically added to the class. Some classes will have a different process for adding, so if there is not waitlist option check the department website for further information.

    Starting on Day 10 of the semester, students will need a permission number (add code) to enroll in a course. See Registration Calendar for current semester dates and deadlines.

• How much time should I expect to spend in my online classes?

  • You should plan to spend the same amount of time in an online class as you would in an in-person class. Students are expected to spend a minimum of 45 hours over the length of the course for each unit of credit (normally 3 hours per unit per week). For example, a 3-unit course requires approximately 9 hours per week for instruction, preparation, studying, and course related activities. Specific course requirements will be listed in the syllabus. For tips on time-management see the Student Lingo and LinkedIn Learning resources under the Getting Started tab.

• How will classes with activities such as labs, art, music, or PE, be taught online?

  • SJSU faculty have been working hard to develop new ways of teaching a variety of subjects online, including classes with activities. We are excited to see the innovations they are bringing to their virtual classrooms each year. 

• What if I fall behind in a class? What options do I have?

  • If you find yourself falling behind in a class due to health issues, family or work responsibilities, or any other reason, your first step should be to reach out to your instructor and let them know what is going on. You may be able to request an extension for specific assignments. If you have completed a significant portion of the coursework already you may be eligible to request an incomplete (I) in the class. You might also consider withdrawing from the class - you can petition to do this after the drop deadline under certain circumstances.

    See the Undergraduate Late Drop and Semester Withdrawal or Graduate Student Forms page for details. It is a good idea to discuss this option with an advisor first.

     

• How can I make friends and connect with other students in online classes?

  • Meeting other students, forming study groups, and connecting with peers online takes a little extra effort, but is definitely possible. You might ask your instructor if they are willing to open up an online class meeting session a few minutes early, to allow students to chat informally before class starts. Online discussion boards in Canvas are another good way for students to exchange ideas and information, and get to know each other. Many departments also have student clubs for those in a specific major or area of study - check out the department website, or email an advisor or the department chair to ask about this.

    
    

    There are a number of student groups, clubs, and resource centers that will be holding online activities and events as well - check these out in the Creating Connections section under Campus Resources and the Campus Life website. You can also search for events and sign up for notifications using the Campus Events Calendar and SAMMY app.

• Can I apply for accommodations for my online classes?

  • Yes. Students registered with the Accessible Education Center (AEC) may request accommodations for online classes. See the AEC website for more information.

• What can I do if I have questions about my assignments?

  • Students should always feel free to contact their instructors with questions about any aspect of a course. You can message your instructor directly through Canvas, email them, or make an appointment to meet during office hours or at another time. Some faculty members have drop-in virtual office hours and others may request that students make an appointment. Check the course syllabus and/or Canvas site for each instructor’s preferred method(s) of communication.

• Am I required to have my camera on during Zoom class sessions?

  • Check each syllabus for the instructor’s Zoom expectations if a course has synchronous (real-time) meetings. Many instructors may request that students have cameras on to help create a sense of connection and engagement with the class. If you have privacy concerns about having your camera on during class, talk to your instructor about this and ask if an alternative can be made available.

• What are the rules about recording Zoom class sessions?

  • University policy (S12-7 [pdf]) requires consent from all individuals who will appear in a class recording. If a student does not wish to be identified in a class recording, faculty may allow an “anonymous” option (e.g., student temporarily turning off identifying information from the Zoom session, including name and picture, prior to recording).

    Students must obtain permission in advance to record any course materials. Such permission allows the recordings to be used for a student’s private, study purposes only. Students will not be permitted to share any class recordings with someone who isn’t enrolled in the class or without permission. The recordings are protected by instructor’s copyright. Students may not download Zoom recordings posted on Canvas.

• What are the rules about online exams?

  • Instructors may choose to use online proctoring services such as Respondus Monitor and Lockdown Browser, ProctorU, and Proctorio. You can find more information about these tools on the Learn Anywhere website. Note that some devices such as Chromebooks may not be compatible with Respondus or other specialized software - be sure to test this on your device before an exam to avoid problems. SJSU has a free equipment loan program for students.

    Check each syllabus for information about online exams in your classes. If you have any concerns, talk to the instructor in advance. Students who require special accommodations or assistive technology should work with the Accessible Education Center (AEC), and the instructor.

• What if my laptop (or other device) is not compatible with software required for a class?

  • Check each syllabus for information about technology needs and required software. Test any required software on your device in advance of any exams or assignments. If you discover an incompatibility issue, you may contact the IT Service Desk or eCampus Support for assistance. If you need to borrow a different device to use for an exam or assignment, the SJSU free equipment loan program is available.

• What can I do if I lose my internet connection during an exam?

  • Canvas autosaves responses a few times per minute as long as there is an internet connection. If your internet connection is lost, Canvas will warn you but allow you to continue working on your exam. A brief loss of internet connection is unlikely to cause you to lose your work. However, a longer loss of connectivity or weak/unstable connection may jeopardize your exam (if it is administered through Canvas). 
    
    If you encounter technical difficulties during an exam in any software platform, Immediately email the instructor a current copy of the state of your exam and explain the problem you are facing. Your instructor may not be able to respond immediately or provide technical support. However, the copy of your exam and email will provide a record of the situation.
    
    You may also contact eCampus support: 

    1. Email: ecampus@sjsu.edu
    2. Phone: (408) 924-2337
    3. https://www.sjsu.edu/ecampus/support/

    
    If possible, complete your exam in the remaining allotted time, offline if necessary. Email your exam to your instructor within the allotted time or soon after.

• What can I do if I have a complaint about a class?

  • If you are having difficulties with a class, such as lack of instructor responsiveness, or unfair treatment, you can contact the department chair to discuss your concerns. You can find the chair’s contact information on the department website. You may also wish to speak with the University Ombudsperson, who is available to provide impartial and confidential consultation to members of the campus community who are concerned about a situation or issue.

If you did not find an answer to your question, email us at ecampus@sjsu.edu.

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