Discover a learning experience designed to fit your life. With flexible online programs, Penn Highlands empowers you to gain new skills, advance your career, or seamlessly transition to a four-year degree. Our diverse course offerings ensure you can achieve your goals on your schedule, wherever you are.
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Discover you.
Why choose Penn Highlands Online?
- 100% online, accredited programs to prepare you for a career or transfer.Â
- A flexible schedule that fits seamlessly into your busy life.
- Learn at your own pace, anytime. Access courses and study without set class schedules using an internet connection.Â
- Affordable, transparent tuition rates.
- No application fees.Â
- Receive the same support as in-person students.Â
- Get expert guidance from the same instructors who lead our in-person courses.
meet hind achouri, 2024 graduate.
Discover Hind Achouri’s inspiring journey as a multicultural child who found her path as an online student. Drawn in with the perfect blend of affordability and high-quality education, Hind thrived in an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Through dedication and hard work, she not only earned a Business Administration degree, but also obtained a Bookkeeping certificate, equipping her with versatile skills for her future career. Hind’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the opportunities that online education can offer to students from all walks of life.
our online programs
Penn Highland Online offers a variety of degrees and certificates. With asynchronous classes, you have the freedom to access coursework anytime on a schedule that works for you.
| Program Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Accounting | Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) |
| Behavioral Sciences | Associate of Arts (A.A.) |
| Bookkeeping | Certificate |
| Business Management | Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) |
| Business Management | Certificate |
| Entrepreneurship | Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) |
| Liberal Arts & Sciences | Associate of Arts (A.A.) |
| Liberal Arts & Sciences | Certificate |
| Medical Coding & Billing | Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) |
| PA Director Credential | Certificate |
| Paralegal Studies | Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) |
| Social Service Assistant | Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) |
Online Support Network
We are here to support you with tutoring, accessibility services, personal counseling, and academic advising. Online students can easily connect with our counselors and advisors via phone, email, virtual meetings, or even in-person, if preferred.
Tuition and Fees
We provide affordable tuition tailored to your location. Eligible students can also benefit from various financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and federal loan programs. Learn more about how we make education accessible.
education beyond PA
We are a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). This allows us to offer distance education programs to residents of other states. Check for eligibility and more information.
Student Resources
We have the resources you need to be successful. As a Pennsylvania Highlands Community College student in our Online Campus, you will have access to the same student resources as our on-campus students. Below is a list of Student Resources that will help you through your educational journey.
Learning Management System
Our Learning Management System makes it possible for online courses, and it enhances face-to-face and hybrid learning.
Student Portal
The College uses the myPEAK portal for students to access information about their schedules, advisors, faculty, grades, and technical support. All students will receive a username and password to access the portal after they apply for admission to the College.
Email
Each student is provided an email account that they will need to check regularly. To access your email account, please click here.
Your email address is your myPEAK username followed by @pennhighlands.edu. Your email password is the same as your myPEAK password. To access your email, please enter your proper username and password, then click OK. If you have any problems with accessing your email, contact the College’s Help Desk.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid is available for those students who qualify. The College offers Federal Financial Aid programs such as PELL Grants and the Stafford Load program as well as Pennsylvania State Grants. Online students are highly encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) so that the Penn Highlands Financial Aid Office can begin the process of determining aid eligibility.
Mangarella Library
The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Mangarella Library offers a wide selection of online databases, ebooks, and support services for the student learner. Online services such as Smarthinking, a 24 hour tutoring service is available on the Library’s Student Resources page. Students may also take advantage of the Library’s mobile app to access materials from an Apple or Android device. Librarian assistance is available 24/7 and the Library provides access to many customized YouTube videos to help students with searching the online databases or putting citations into papers.
Bookstore
The College’s Bookstore offers a wide variety of online textbooks and can have books delivered directly to students, click here to access.
Higher Education & Opportunity Act
The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 requires that institutions offering online courses must secure those courses behind a password system to ensure that tests and other graded assignments are being taken by the actual student enrolled in the course. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College complies with this law by having all of our assignments take place within the password-protected confines of our online systems. The College provides a unique login and password to each student that provides for access to all college electronic systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have the necessary equipment?
Online courses are delivered via the Internet. You will need frequent access to an internet accessible computer to complete your coursework. In addition, many online students like to print assignments, instructions, study materials, etc. A printer is not a requirement for taking an online course; however, it is certainly beneficial for online students. Some classes may require certain pieces of computer hardware (a microphone, webcam or thumb drive for example).
Do you have basic computer skills?
To succeed in an online course, it is vitally important that you are comfortable working on a computer. Basic keyboarding skills are vital for students enrolled in online courses as all communication is conducted electronically. You do not need to be a computer expert to excel; rather, listed are some of the tasks that you will need to accomplish:
- send and receive email,
- send, download and open attachments,
- word processing skills,
- organize files and folders on your computer,
- download and rename files, and
- conduct internet research using the online library databases and public search engines.
Will your schedule allow you to spend adequate time on this class?
With online courses, the distinction between “class” time and “study” time blurs together. Students should expect to spend approximately six to nine hours each week on a course. There is no professor to make you show up to class. This gives you freedom, but in order to do well, you must discipline yourself to study and complete assignments by their specific due dates.
Do you practice good time management skills?
Do not procrastinate! Although you are not meeting at a regular time, it is vitally important to set aside time each week to conduct coursework. Each assignment will have a specific due date and if not done on time you may be scored a zero. Make sure to check ahead and know when work needs to be done. Complete things slightly ahead of time if you can.
How would you rate your overall study skills?
Strong study skills are vital to your success. Knowing and practicing study skills that work best for you will aid in your success. Outlining class materials, creating your own review cards, and typing out your notes are all helpful study methods.
How would you rate your reading comprehension?
Take a moment to evaluate your reading comprehension skills. The vast majority of online material is presented in written format. It’s important to realize you can’t just skim over the content and be able to have a clear understanding of when assignments are due and what is expected of you. Strong reading comprehension skills are needed to succeed in an online course.
Are you comfortable communicating in a written forum?
Most communication in an online class consists of written email messages between you and the instructor and discussions among class participants. If you have difficulty with an assignment or have questions, you must be willing to compose a message to inform the instructor. Make sure to write your professor using your best possible grammar and spelling, writing for an online course is not like posting on Facebook or texting someone.
Do you plan ahead?
There will be times when you have a question about your online course. You may not receive immediate feedback. Sometimes you will need to wait until the instructor or another student is online to answer a question for you. To avoid situations like this it is best to plan ahead. If you wait to the last minute to do your work, something seems to always go wrong.
Are you willing to ask questions?
Online instructors cannot read your body language and may not know if you are having problems. If you have a question, write your instructor an email asking them for help. Make sure to write emails clearly and properly so instructors can understand you.
Are you up to the challenge?
In an online course, the instructor is a facilitator, not a lecturer. You must take the responsibility for your own learning. Information will be presented in your textbook and through lesson content, PowerPoint presentations, videos, and websites. It is up to you create your own learning path and monitor your own progress. If you like working alone, communicating by writing, and working at your own best time of day, you will do well in an online course.
Is Online Learning Right For You?
Students are expected to maintain high levels of involvement and interaction throughout online learning. Some find it to be a positive, rewarding experience; others experience frustration and difficulty succeeding in this type of environment. Take our quiz to find out if this option is right for you.
Please note: Online students must qualify for college-ready status in writing, reading, and math either by placement test, appropriate waiver process, or SAT/ACT scores.