Navigating the College of DuPage Student Portal: A Comprehensive Guide

College of DuPage (COD) offers a comprehensive student portal designed to streamline academic and administrative tasks. This article provides a detailed overview of the features and functionalities available through the student portal, empowering students to effectively manage their college experience.

Accessing the Student Portal

Most COD online systems and services are accessible through the portal at inside.cod.edu. You can access it from any home computer or mobile device via your preferred web browser. Log in using your username and password.

Key Self-Service Tools: Student Planning and myACCESS

College of DuPage has two self-service tools, Student Planning and myACCESS, which can be used to complete everyday tasks online 7 days a week.

Locating myACCESS

myACCESS can be located by logging into the portal at inside.cod.edu.

Academic Planning and Registration

The student portal provides tools for planning your academic journey, searching for courses, and registering for classes.

Course Registration Process

Here's a breakdown of how to navigate the course registration process:

Course Search:
- Locate myACCESS.
- Click on the Academics menu, then Course Catalog.
- Enter your search criteria to perform a search of the course catalog.
- Select the Term and Subject from the drop-down menus. If you know the course number enter it in the Course Number field. You may use Course Type to filter your search results by Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) courses, session (16-week, 8-week etc.), honors and more. Click Search.
- Leave the search fields blank to allow for a more extensive search.
- Review your search results.
Adding Courses to Your Plan:
- Once you determine the section you want click on Add, then in the pop-up window click Add Section. This will add that course and section to your plan. You are not registered.
- You may search for more classes and add them to your plan.
- You may also enter the Course Reference Number in the search box.
- Courses added to your plan will show “Planned” below the course name.
Registering for Classes:
- Locate myACCESS.
- Select Go to Plan & Schedule.
- On the Plan & Schedule page you will see the class you are waitlisted for.
- Click on the Register button under the course and section you added to your plan.
- After clicking Register the message “Updating Schedule” will appear.
- The class status will change from yellow as planned, to green as registered.
- Secure your classes by enrolling in a payment plan or paying in full.
- Ensure your payment covers your full balance.
- Watch the following video to learn how to register for classes that have already been added to your plan.
- Students may also add classes to their plan independently.
- Students may also add classes to their plan independently.
- Students may also add classes to their plan independently.

Understanding Terms and Sessions

College of DuPage has three terms; Fall, Spring and Summer. The session refers to the length of time the course is offered. There are various sessions during each term. For example, the Fall and Spring terms have 16-week and 8-week long sessions, and the Summer term has 10-week, 8-week and 5-week long sessions. Any session is worth the same number of credits. Pay close attention to the session when choosing a section. Shorter sessions should expect a more rapid pace. Session start and end dates can be viewed on the academic calendar.

Course Delivery Methods

The student portal provides information on different course delivery methods:

Hybrid Classes: These classes will have a section code that starts with HYB. Hybrid classes combine on-campus instruction with online learning.
Internet Classes: These classes will have a section code that starts with NET. Internet classes are conducted entirely online following instructor timelines and learning outcomes. The instructor's name and email date will be listed, except for due dates/times for homework, quizzes, and tests.
Virtual Classes: These classes will have a section code that starts with VCM. Virtual classes are conducted online in real time at specified days and times using video chat software.

Waitlists

If a class is full, you may be notified that a waitlist is available to join. Students can add themselves to a waitlist for a class that is full, up to the start of the same day. The student will be notified if a seat becomes available. The waitlist expires after the first day of class. If a student does not register for the class by the expiration date, they will be dropped from the waitlisted section.

Permits

Permits are requested by the student and approved by the instructor.

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Viewing Your Class Schedule

To view your class schedule:

If you are currently signed into Student Planning, click on the Academics menu (graduation cap), then click on My Class Schedule.
OR Log into the portal at inside.cod.edu and locate my ACCESS.
Select the Current Term.
Your class schedule will appear.

Managing Your Academic Plan

The student portal allows you to manage your academic plan effectively.

Planned Courses

Courses added to your plan will show “Planned” below the course name.

Dropping a Class

To drop a class:

Locate the class you wish to drop.
Click the blue Drop button.
A pop up will appear confirming the class you have elected to drop.

Important Considerations When Dropping a Class:

Dropping a class is considered a withdraw and will receive no refund.
The course will be marked with a W. The W does not impact GPA but may impact future aid.
Check your official class schedule for refund eligibility as well as the last date to withdraw. Withdrawing after the refund date means you will not receive a refund and will be marked with a "W" on your transcript.
Students are responsible for making payments until the full tuition for the class is paid.
Dropping a class may have a Financial Aid or Veterans Benefits impact.
Dropping a class may have Athletic Eligibility impact; student athletes should consult with Advising to remain eligible for competition in their sport.
Dropping a class may have Field Studies/Study Abroad impact.

Financial Information

The student portal provides access to financial information and resources.

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Accessing Financial Information

To access financial information:

Log into the portal at inside.cod.edu and locate myACCESS.
Select Student Planning, then Student Planning Self Service.
In Student Planning choose Financial Information (the bank symbol) from the side menu.
If you are currently signed into Student Planning choose Financial Information (the bank symbol) from the side menu*.

Payment Plans

Secure your classes by enrolling in a payment plan or paying in full. Ensure your payment covers your full balance.

Textbook Costs

You may use Course Type to filter your search results by Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) courses.

Student Aid

COD provides programs to assist pay for essential program out-of-pocket costs.

Additional Resources and Features

The student portal offers a variety of additional resources and features to support student success.

Unofficial Transcript

View and print a copy of your unofficial transcript. To access: log into the portal at inside.cod.edu and locate myACCESS. Select Student Planning, then Student Planning Self Service.

Enrollment Verification

Request proof of your status as a student.

Blackboard

College of DuPage uses Blackboard to help you manage your courses. Blackboard is a learning management system. Your Blackboard course may not look exactly the same. Completing assessments in Blackboard is a common practice in online courses.

Blackboard App

Access your courses with push notifications by using the Blackboard app. The Blackboard App is free to download and available at the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. You can access announcements, content, to-do items, your grades to your courses, and to join a Collaborate Ultra session.

The Blackboard app is available for iOS and Android mobile devices and tablets. You can control the push notifications for Original and Ultra courses under the Notification Settings panel on your Profile Page. Push notifications: Messages pop up on your mobile device if you have the Blackboard app for students installed.

Library Resources

The College of DuPage Library is open to students, employees, and the public. Many Library resources are also available online. Students can borrow a laptop and/or hotspot from the Library for an entire semester.

Ally

Ally is a tool designed to improve the accessibility of digital course content.

Alternative Formats: Ally automatically scans original content and produces more accessible formats.
BeeLine Reader: BeeLine Reader makes reading on screen easier and faster.
Headings: Use headings-to add meaning to a page.
OCR PDF: OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. Use OCR when the original content is a PDF of an image.
Translation: Ally can translate content into multiple languages.

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