What to Expect

Thinking About Registering? 

Are you are a first-time participant or looking to try a new format? Keep on reading to learn about what to expect from registration through course completion.

When Registering

7 and 4-Week Online

  • 7 and 4-week courses are scheduled in blocks 2-4 times each semester. This allows participants to take multiple courses each semester without overlapping. 

Self-Paced

  • Create your own schedule with PLS self-paced. These courses begin on a Tuesday, which gives the facilitator a chance to contact you after you register to discuss course expectations as well as their role in the learning engagement. There are no prerequisites for our self-paced courses and they can be taken in any order. The numbering systems for these courses serve as a means to provide accurate course credit on transcripts.

Remote Learning and On-Site

  • Attendance is very important to both remote learning and on-site courses. Please be sure to review the class dates and times to ensure your participation when you are registering for a course. 

Course Materials

7-Week, 4-Week, and Self-Paced

  • All course materials are housed in our learning management system for our 7-week, 4-week, or self-paced courses.

Remote Learning and On-Site

  • Each participant receives a folder of course materials and access to digital course materials at no additional cost. Upon registration, participants may choose to receive a printed Participant Manual in addition to the digital version.
  • Participants receive access to digital materials prior to the first day of class.
  • For remote learning classes, printed materials are sent to the participant’s chosen address.
  • For on-site classes, printed materials are distributed on the first day of class.

Please note that some of our courses require textbooks. Please see below for more information.

Required Texts

7-Week, 4-Week, Self-Paced, Remote Learning, and On-Site

  • A handful of our courses have required texts. When exploring our catalog pages, you will see if a course has the required text. Required texts will need to be purchased by the participant.

After You Register

7 and 4-Week

  • Approximately one week prior to the start date you will receive a welcome email from our Operations team which includes information about the course and how to access it in Canvas.
  • Prior to your first class, you will receive an email and a phone call from your instructor.

Self-Paced

  • Approximately one week prior to the start date you will receive a welcome email from our Operations team which includes information about the course and how to access it in Canvas.

Remote Learning

  • Approximately two weeks before your course starts you will receive a welcome email from our Operations team which includes information about the course and how to access the course in Canvas

On-Site

  • Approximately two weeks before your course starts you will receive a welcome email from our Operations team which includes information about the course, any required texts, and the site where the course is being hosted.

Preparing for Your Course

7-week, 4-week, Self-Paced, and Remote Learning

  • Canvas Support: To prepare for the class, you should review tutorials, complete your profile, and set up notification preferences. New to Canvas? For a quick look at how to navigate Canvas, our learning management system (LMS), check out this video tutorial.

On-Site

  • If you opted out of a printed manual, please print out the pages specified in the course library and in your welcome letter.

First Day of Class

7-Week, 4-Week, Self-Paced, and Remote Learning

  • You will receive an invitation to join the course directly from Canvas do-not-reply@pls3rdlearning.com on the class start date. From there use your Canvas login information to access the course.

On-Site

  • We can’t wait to meet you! Please be sure to reach out to your instructor if you have any questions about the site location. Course materials will be handed out on the first day of class.

During Your Class

7 and 4-week

  • Assignments and discussion posts will be due at the end of each week of your course.

Self-Paced

  • Self-paced courses are conducted in a 1:1 environment where you are assigned a dedicated facilitator who will guide you through the experience and provide feedback on assignments. 
  • Work at your own pace provided that you successfully complete all assignments by the determined end date of the course. (45 days for 3-credit courses and 90 days for 6-credit courses.)
  • A recommended pacing guide will be provided to help you stay on track.

Remote Learning and On-Site

  • Remote and on-site courses are highly collaborative and engaging based on their synchronous format. 
  • Assignments are due when indicated by the instructor. During synchronous meetings, you will engage in meaningful and collaborative activities to gain a deeper understanding of the material within the class.

After Your Class

After your class concludes you will be asked to complete a short survey about your experience. For a copy of your transcript, please contact your respective college partner.