Enrollment Process:

 

Computer Hardware & Software Requirements
for World University Online Courses
 

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Here's what you need to succeed...

    In order to participate in World University's online courses, you will need to have the following computer resources:

    Self-evaluation:  Please review these items and take the steps you need to fulfill these requirements.

    Due to the changing developments in the world of Internet software, these requirements change slightly each year.

 

1.  Hardware

    A PC-compatible computer RUNNING WINDOWS 2000 OR LATER, or a

    Macintosh computer RUNNING OSX 10.1 OR LATER,

    Recent Linux computer capable of running Mozilla Firefox 1.5 or later.

    either one with a minimum of 128 MB of memory (RAM), more memory preferred.

    Modem with speed of at least 56K.  Higher speed connection preferred for better user experience.

    We regret very sincerely that, due to the evolving nature of Internet server software and anti-virus software, as of July 1, 2006, we will not be able to offer our online courses on models of computers earlier than those shown above.

 

2.  Software  

    Web browser:

      Preferred: Mozilla Firefox 1.5 or later (free, and available for Windows, Mac and Linux)

      Netscape 7.2 minimum (available for Windows, Mac and Linux), or higher preferred  (will run on older computers).

      MS Internet Explorer 6.0 minimum, or higher preferred.

      AOL and CompuServe users will need to download the 2006 or later version (AOL 9 or later).

      We regret very sincerely that, due to the evolving nature of Internet server software and anti-virus software, as of July 1, 2006, we will not be able to offer our online courses on browsers earlier than those listed above.

    E-mail program:

      Preferred: Mozilla Thunderbird (free, and available for Windows, Mac and Linux)

      Netscape or MS Outlook Express or Macintosh e-mail programs okay.

      Eudora, Pegasus, AOL or any POP mail program okay.

    Document reading software for reading downloaded papers and articles:

    Word processing software...

      "RTF" (rich text format) word processor (available for free, see below). For security reasons our system only accepts the submission of assignments, papers and exams in RTF document format.  Almost all word processor can save files as RTF documents.  However, due to security problems with Microsoft Word, we strongly request that all students download one of the following free, excellent, RTF word processors.

        Students using...
            Windows (2000 & all later versions)
            Max OS X 10.2 or later, or
            Linux systems
        please download, install and use AbiWord, an excellent, free, RTF word processor (with spell check!) available at AbiSource . (When saving files in AbiWord, be sure to select the RTF format because AbiWord does not automatically select RTF from among the several options.)

        Mac OS 10.1 and earlier please click on one of the following links to download and install the free word processor iText 3.1.3 by Michiaki Yamashita for  Mac OS 7.1 to 9.2.2   or   OS 10.1

3. Access to Internet and E-Mail

    There are many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that can provide you Internet access for between $20 and $60 per month, depending on speed of service.  Such service always includes an e-mail account. (If you intend to use a friend's or family member's computer, see Item 4, below, about free e-mail accounts.)

    You may also be able to use the internet connection facilities of a nearby college, university or library, although you will need a way to store and print documents, and your local institutions may or may not provide those capacities as part of their public access internet services.

    To connect your computer to your home phone line, you must have a modem. Most current computers have a built-in modem, and you can also buy an "external" modem at any large office supply or computer store if your computer does not have one. To connect to the Internet you must be able to use the modem and a telephone line to dial up a provider of Internet service, an "ISP." You may also be able to connect with a "cable modem" and an account with your local cable TV company. Check with both your telephone company and your cable TV company to see what Internet services are available in your area, and what special offers may be available to you. There are many companies offering this type of service throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe, Earthlink and AOL, being two of the largest.  To find what is available in your area, look in the yellow pages of your local telephone book under "Internet Service Providers."

    Be certain the ISP you choose offers you unlimited access for their monthly fee, 24-hour-a-day help and a TOLL FREE LOCAL ACCESS NUMBER (VERY IMPORTANT). Most give you 2-10 Megabytes of storage, a free Web page and an e-mail account as part of their monthly package.

4.  Access to E-Mail

    Almost every ISP will include an e-mail account as part of its service package. If you already have internet access through a friend, business, or school, you can sign up for a free web-based e-mail account. We recommend using Yahoo, Hotmail, or Google's new Gmail service if you are looking for a FREE e-mail service.

5. Computer Skills

    Certain basic skills are needed to successfully take Distance Learning courses. Each student should be able to perform the tasks on the following list.  If you do not yet have one or more of these skills, your first enrollment step is to learn them.

    • Use a word processing and printing program (see paragraph 2, above).
    • Log onto the Internet (connect) from a home, office, or college computer.
    • Navigate the Internet using Mozilla Thunderbird, Netscape Navigator, Safari or Internet Explorer.
    • Use email, including how to attach a file to an email message.
    • Download a document file, save it on a disk and read it.
    • Download a program from the Internet and install it.
    • Do a search on the web, locating and noting reference information.
    • Use a online bulletin board forum/discussion group.

    Note: Any student who does not have these minimum computer skills can get additional computer training by taking the free, online familiarization tutorials of various web companies and community colleges.  Here are some online tutorials: