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Technical Requirements
The following hardware and software are needed to complete your online coursework at Carrington College® California. Sufficient technology and Internet access are also required. The following list will help verify that you are adequately equipped.
Supported Operating Systems:
- Windows XP (32-bit, with Service Pack 3)
- Windows Vista (32-bit or 64-bit)
- Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit)
- MAC OS 10 is supported, but there are some applications that require Windows OS. You should be prepared to run the Parallels desktop and a Windows OS if you elect to use a MAC system.
It is highly recommended that you have administrative rights to the computer used for college coursework. If you must use a computer for which you do not have administrative rights (such as a library computer or a workplace computer), you may experience difficulties with needed functions, such as installing plug-ins. Students using library or workplace computers will have limited support options due to access limitations on such networks. Check with your workplace IT department to ensure that you may access course materials from your company's network.
Productivity Tools:
Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007 for Windows. Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac is an acceptable option for many courses. Coursework is to be submitted in .doc or .docx file formats.
Internet Access:
ISP account for Internet access and email address. See more on Internet connectivity specifications below.
Supported Browsers:
- Windows: Internet Explorer 7.0 or 8.0
- Windows: Mozilla Firefox 2 or 3
- MAC: Mozilla Firefox 3 or Safari 3 (Safari is only supported on Mac computers)
Other browsers, including the AOL browser, Opera, Google Chrome, and Safari for Windows, are NOT currently supported for some components of your coursework. You may use AOL for your ISP, but you should use either IE or Firefox browser versions listed above. As new browser versions are released, announcements will be issued to notify students when the new versions have been tested and may be used safely.
See below for required Browser settings.
Plug-ins:
The current versions of the following plug-ins and applications are required for many of the resources available in your online courses. All plug-ins needed to participate in components of your online coursework are available free of charge. It is recommended that you review the list of plug-ins and install them prior to beginning your coursework.
Adobe Flash Player (Current version is 10.0.22.87)
Adobe Acrobat Reader (Current version is Adobe Reader 9.1)
RealPlayer (Basic)
Apple QuickTime Player (Quick Time 7.0)
Java (JRE) 1.5 or higher (JRE)
Additional plug-ins and/or downloads may be required by specific courses. The courses will include information for obtaining and installing the appropriate plug-ins.
REQUIRED BROWSER SETTINGS:
- Java Script should be enabled
- Java should be enabled
- Cookies should be enabled
- Know how to allow Pop-Up windows
Supported Computer Security Options (Windows): Anti-virus, firewall, anti-spyware
Recommended and supported:
- McAfee Virus Scan 8.5
- Windows Internet Connection Firewall
- Windows Defender Anti-Spyware
- AVG Anti-Virus
Minimum Hardware Specifications:
- Pentium-class 1 GHz or faster processor
- 2 GB of RAM (3 GB recommended for those running the Vista Operating System)
- High speed connection to the Internet
- CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive - Note that some software may require a DVD drive for installation
- Hard drive: 160 GB
- Graphics card and monitor capable of 1024x768 display
- Stereo sound card, speakers and/or headset, microphone
- Monitor - 1024 x 768
- A Webcam may be required in courses in some programs. Check with your academic advisor.
NOTES:
Specific curricula for college courses may require additional software purchases. Any additional software requirements will be provided in the syllabi for your courses.
Computer specifications are reviewed and revised every six months to accommodate changes in technology. While every attempt is made to ensure that these specifications satisfy all curricular needs for students completing courses, Carrington College reserves the right to require upgrades in the event of technology changes. Students will be given 90 days notice before such changes are implemented.
Courseware cannot be accessed using Web TV.
Course access using iPhones and mobile devices is not supported at this time.
Students who need assistive technologies will have different computer and technology requirements. Please check with your Student Services representative to determine the requirements for the specific technologies needed to support your coursework.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Internet Access
Internet access is required to participate in online components of your college courses at Carrington College California. An Internet Service Provider (ISP) will provide you with the software and access necessary to utilize the Internet in order of preference:
LAN, Cable, or DSL connections are highly recommended for optimal student experience.
56K Dial-up connection. Many course components will have suboptimal performance when accessed through a 56K dial-up connection.
Satellite and/or Wireless Internet connection. Satellite and wireless connections are not supported in our learning platform. Performance may be suboptimal due to latency and signal instability.
If AOL is your ISP, you must use the Internet Explorer or Firefox browser, rather than the default AOL browser to complete coursework in a college course online. Simply launch the appropriate browser after logging onto your AOL account.
If you connect to the Internet through your employer, you may need to ensure that appropriate plug-ins and access rights are available to you. Check with your company and IT department to ensure that you may access course materials from your company's network.
Email Account
A valid email address, which is checked frequently, is required for participation in components of your coursework.
Computer and Internet Security
The ease and convenience of accessing educational materials through the Internet brings with it the need to ensure that our computers do not become targets of unwanted and often malicious attacks and intrusions by computer viruses and/or hackers. To prevent this, we recommend using an anti-virus package and a firewall.
Your computer is subject to virus attack whether you're surfing the Internet or getting information from floppy disks, CDs or a network. Email attachments are particularly vulnerable.
Since an anti-virus program is no better than its virus definitions, virus definitions should be updated regularly, preferably on a weekly basis.
Personal firewalls are another means to protect your computer from malicious activity when you are connected to the Internet. Windows comes with a built-in personal Firewall. It is recommended that you enable the Windows Internet Connection Firewall and learn how to use this application to protect your computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet.
Along with keeping your antivirus program updated, it is equally, if not more important to also ensure that your Windows critical updates are current. As Microsoft finds weaknesses in their Operating Systems, they post updates that can be downloaded and installed. These updates can be set to occur automatically, but they may at times require user input to complete the update. Your Windows updates should be checked on a weekly basis.
Screen Settings
Your screen resolution (size) should be set at minimum 1024 x 768 or higher.
