Peru State understands that many students have responsibilities outside of the classroom; however, that should never inhibit them from getting their education. Peru State’s online program allows students to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree, all while continuing their fast-paced life.

Peru State is committed to the success of our online students. Online learning is a mode to expand our educational opportunities. The following criteria are recommended for successful completion of online courses:

• Approximately 12 to 15 hours a week to devote to your online course(s) (depending on your course load)
• Comfort with using the Internet and basic computer software
• Comfort with expressing your thoughts and ideas in writing
• The ability to work, to some extent, independently
• Access to a reliable computer with the following:
  • CPU of 2.0 GHZ or greater
  • RAM of 2 GB or greater
  • Operating system of Windows 8 or greater*, or Mac OS 10.11 or greater*
  • *A variety of devices and operating systems were used to test the supported browsers. Support is not limited to these specific operating systems. The desktop browser versions below are supported regardless of the particular device or operating system on which they run.
• Internet Browser requirements
  • Firefox 48.0 or greater
  • Chrome 49.0 or greater
  • Safari 9.0 or greater (Mac version only)
  • Edge 20.0 or greater
  • Internet Explorer is not supported by Blackboard.
• Access to a reliable Internet source (broadband Internet is recommended)

All online courses are offered via the Internet and do not require you to visit campus unlike face-to-face courses which do. The courses are alike in that the content is the same regardless of mode.

Peru State does not require proctored exams.

Applying online is completely free. The first step in applying to attend Peru State is to speak with a representative from the Admissions Office. You may reach the Admissions Office by email at Admissions@peru.edu  or by phone at 402-872-2212.

The cost for undergraduate online tuition is $289 per credit hour. The cost for graduate online tuition is $361.25 per credit hour. There are no added fees. You will, however, have to pay for textbooks for your courses.

Visit the Business Office for current information on tuition and fees and the withdrawal refund schedule.

For textbook information, you may visit the College Bookstore.

You can review Peru State’s courses by visiting the Schedule of Classes. If you are not a current student, you may use the ‘General Public View.’

You can log in to your MyPSC account to enroll yourself or if you are having trouble, you may contact the Student Records Office at StudentRecords@peru.edu or at 402-872-2226.

Joint Enrollment is available to students through the Nebraska State College System. Taking courses at a ‘sister-institution’ such as Chadron State College or Wayne State College would support an undergraduate or graduate degree at Peru State. The credit would transfer seamlessly, as long as it supports your degree program.

More information about the Joint Enrollment process and the appropriate paperwork can be found here.

To improve conditions we believe associated with student success, students will need to add 8 week courses before the start date. Courses will be available the weekend before the start date for those registered. The 16 week courses’ add/drop period is one week after the course has started, by Sunday of week 1 at midnight.

After you have registered for an online course, you will be assigned a college-issued email account. Two weeks before the course begins, you will then be sent an email with your new college-issued email login and Blackboard login information. Once you have your student email access information, it is very important to check it often. Your online courses will be available the Friday before the start date of the course.

You can purchase your textbooks, or get textbook information, by visiting the Online Bookstore. Once at their site, please follow the instructions below.

• Log in with your MyPSC username and password.
• Your enrolled courses and required textbooks will appear. Click on the appropriate number and click ‘Select.’
• You have the option to purchase your books through the Bookstore website. Otherwise, you can copy the information and buy them at your local bookstore.

You may contact the Dean’s office assistant or course instructor to make sure you are getting the correct edition and to find out if there are any supplemental materials or unusual course requirements/costs.

Blackboard courses become available the Friday before the course start date. Students have the weekend to review the coursework. For 8 week courses, students have ten days to review the coursework with the opportunity to drop the course by Sunday of week 1 at midnight.

Students need a reliable computer with the following:

• CPU of 2.0 GHZ or greater
• RAM of 2 GB or greater
• Operating system of Windows 8, 8.1, or 10, or Mac OS 10.11 or greater
• Firefox 48.0 or greater, Chrome 49.0 or greater, Safari 9.0 or greater (Mac version only), or Edge 20.0 or greater
• Internet Explorer is not supported by Blackboard.
• Access to a reliable Internet source (broadband Internet is recommended)

Be sure you are using the correct login information for Blackboard. The username is your student ID number (NUID), all eight digits, no spaces or dashes. The password is the same password used for MyPSC.
If you are still having technical issues accessing your Blackboard account, you can email the Distance Education and Online Services Office at BBTechSupport@peru.edu or you may call 1-888-258-5558. In emergencies you can call our technical line, available 9 am to 9 pm CT daily, at 402-819-8181.

Make sure you are using the correct login information. Student email login information is different than Blackboard login information. The username for student email is: your first name, dot, last name, and the first five digits of your NUID (eg: John.Doe12345). Your password is your entire eight-digit NUID (ex: 12345678 or 00123456).

For questions or concerns, you will need to contact Computer Services at 402-872-2270 or by email at ComputerServices@peru.edu. When emailing Computer Services, please provide your NUID.

To find your NUID, go to https://www.peru.edu/online/support/nuid and follow the steps listed.

If you are still having issues, please contact the Admissions Office at 402-872-2221 or by email at Admissions@peru.edu.

Once you have entered your course, you will see a ‘Welcome Announcement.’ The announcement will introduce you to the online instructor and outline the time frame for the course assignments. The ‘Assignments’ button will usually contain the course syllabus. This button will also provide weekly assignments. You will submit all assignments, papers, projects and exams in Blackboard. You will have set assignment deadline dates, but do not have to be online at a specific time and day.

If you are a new student, you will also see an ‘Orientation’ listed under you courses. It is mandatory to complete the Orientation. It will assist you with online learning and coursework.

Students are now required to not only log in to their courses, but also complete a graded item by the end of the no-show period. A graded item is anything that is worth points toward your final grade in the course [e.g. assignment, quiz/exam, discussion board post (excluding discussion board introduction)].

If you do not log in to the course and complete a graded item by the deadline, you will be removed as a ‘No-Show.’ Being removed as a ‘No-Show’ may impact your Financial Aid or your eligibility to participate in collegiate activities.

The no-show deadline for 8 and 16 week courses is Monday of week 2 at noon.