Walsh makes every effort to provide information to students that may assist them in achieving their academic goals. Prior to each semester, a schedule of classes is posted online for all students. View the schedule of classes online by logging into the Walsh Student Portal. The portal often contains new information and should be reviewed by students every semester.
Walsh also communicates and distributes information regularly through student e-newsletters, the Walsh Student Portal, and the Walsh Student Email Account.
Academic Course Load
Walsh expects its students to be able to balance their educational, professional, and personal schedules and does not restrict the number of credit hours that a student may register for in a given semester. Students with questions on the appropriate number of credits to take in a given semester should discuss their proposed schedule with an academic advisor.
Walsh Student Email Account
All students are assigned a Walsh email address and are required to access their Walsh email account regularly. This is a digitally secure and encrypted website which protects the confidentiality of its usage. All official administrative email communication (account balances, graduation audit notification, Commencement information, e-newsletter, etc.) will only be sent to the student’s Walsh email address. Similarly, Walsh email is required for communication between a student and faculty member regarding grades, quizzes/exams, performance in the course, etc.
Emails pertaining to potential violations of Walsh policies will be sent to a student’s Walsh email address and students are required to use their Walsh email for all related communications, unless otherwise directed by Walsh officials.
Official student administrative email requests (e.g. advising questions, adding/dropping classes, enrollment verification, etc.) must be sent from the student’s Walsh email address. Students who regularly use another email account are able to forward their Walsh email to that account.
Committed to Technology
Walsh continues to invest in the technological future, both inside and outside of the traditional classroom. All rooms at the Troy campus are equipped with LCD projectors that are used during presentations by instructors, facilitators, and students. Classrooms are also equipped with SMART Podiums™, touch-screen interactive monitors that allow instructors to interact with digital content and write over it on the SMART monitors. In addition each classroom contains web cameras with microphones which enable online remote distance education capabilities. Classrooms also contain the ability for wireless presentation from any mobile device within the classroom.
The Troy campus is also furnished with a technology enhanced Finance Lab. The Finance Lab gives students a taste of Wall Street with 12 Bloomberg terminals, FACTSET research capabilities, along with several large LCD televisions tuned to market and financial reports, and breakout rooms. Financial information continuously updates on an LED ticker, giving students a real-time glimpse into market movement and news.
A dedicated Cyber Lab is also located at the Troy location. The Cyber Lab provides a hands-on learning environment with access to Cisco networking equipment, Dell servers and EMC storage infrastructure. Students can expect to receive critical cybersecurity skills across traditional, cyber physical, and/or automotive environments. In addition, students will apply critical, strategic, ethical, and innovative thinking to achieve business-like results. A VMWare Virtual Lab also provides students with practical real world experience setting up and supporting a business-like domain complete with servers and PCs.
Walsh is designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE/CD), which identifies Walsh as one of a small set of academic institutions in the country to achieve this status. Walsh also aligns its programs with the Department of Defense 8570 and the Department of Homeland Security NICE Framework. This ensures that our students will be prepared to meet the standards of employment at the federal level.
Electronic library research tools maintained on the Walsh website include a multitude of database sources, online magazines and journal subscriptions. These tools allow students to access information online from anywhere, at any time.
Secured information is stored behind firewalled and password-protected systems; most applications utilize only one username and password and automatically pass through from one system to another without further intervention. Public and guest wireless Internet access is available throughout the campus. The wireless network utilizes updated modern wireless technology standards which provides for a seamless end-user experience.
All classroom and lab computers require users to log in with their unique Academic/Portal username and password. Public guests can generate a temporary ID by using a driver’s license in order to gain access to the library computer resources at Walsh.
The Online Course Environment
Students taking a Walsh online course can be confident that they are receiving the same quality and content that they would receive in the classroom. Basic course components include an online syllabus; weekly objectives, readings and lectures; weekly discussion board participation; activities and assignments; and online exams, quizzes, and practice tests.
To ensure success in an online course, students taking their first online or blended course must take a required online orientation that simulates an online course. Online courses incorporate various media. In order to access online learning assignments, students must have access to a computer that meets all hardware and software requirements.
The online course environment is small, averaging 25 students per class, and the instructor is available online through instant messaging or private chat. Students and instructors also communicate online via a discussion board and email. Students can expect an instructor response to questions within 24 to 48 hours. Walsh online courses include a Help feature that instantly pages the Online Learning technology staff, which typically resolves requests within 24 hours. Walsh uses the following definitions to explain how it uses technology to support the learning experience:
Online (V section) course: in an online course, the student and instructor are separated by distance and connected via Walsh’s chosen Course Management System (CMS) for delivery of the course content and course interaction. Walsh online courses are largely asynchronous, meaning student and teacher do not need to be online at the same time, and work can be completed at different times, barring any specific synchronous activities that will be explained in the course syllabus. Students located in any geographic location may complete their studies online and will not be required to come to the location for any of the course components. However, a student may be required to take exams at an approved proctored location.
Blended (VB section) course: in a blended course, the course is held in the traditional classroom as well as online. Some weeks will be online and others on-location, and students will be notified of meeting times in their syllabus. Some of the course content, including exams/quizzes, and/or interaction, is delivered via Walsh’s chosen Course Management System (CMS). Students must come to one of the Walsh locations to complete a VB course.
Video Conferencing (VC) course: VC is a video conferencing course that will meet weekly and requires the simultaneous participation of all students and faculty in “real-time” instruction. It incorporates telecommunication technologies which allow two-way videoconferencing between the Troy and Novi locations by two-way video and audio transmissions.
Virtual Hybrid (VH Section) course: in a hybrid course, the course is held in the traditional classroom or can be accessed remotely in real time via the College’s chosen video conferencing software. Additionally, some of the course content will be delivered online via the College’s chosen Course Management System (CMS). Students will be notified of the balance of real time (classroom or remote access) and online instruction in their syllabus. Students choosing to access the class remotely will not be required to come to campus for any of the course components. However, students may be required to take exams on campus or at an approved proctored location.
Virtual Synchronous (VS section): in a virtual synchronous course, the course is not held in the traditional classroom. A portion of the course requires the simultaneous participation of students and faculty in real time via the College’s chosen video conferencing software. The remainder of the course content will be delivered online via the College’s chosen Course Management System (CMS). Students will be notified of the proportion of real time and online instruction in their syllabus. Students will not be required to come to campus for any of the course components. However, students may be required to take exams on campus or at an approved proctored location.
2+2 (VT section) course: a 2+2 course is a blended course that will meet in the classroom and online weekly. Some of the course content and/or interaction is delivered via Walsh’s chosen Course Management System (CMS). Students must come to one of the Walsh locations to complete a VT course.