Navigating Oakton College: A Student Portal Guide

Embarking on your academic journey at Oakton College requires familiarity with its online resources. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the student portal and essential online tools, ensuring a smooth and successful experience.

Getting Started with Online Classes

The process of beginning online classes at Oakton mirrors that of any other credit course. It involves completing the admission and registration procedures, fulfilling any necessary prerequisites, and acquiring the required textbooks. Fortunately, all these steps can be conveniently accomplished online.

Accessing and Utilizing MyOakton

MyOakton serves as the central hub for accessing various Oakton systems. To access it:

Navigate to Oakton's homepage.
Click on "MyOakton."
Follow the provided login instructions.

Once logged in, the "My Courses" tab displays a list of all your enrolled courses.

Troubleshooting MyOakton Access

Login Issues: If you encounter difficulties logging into MyOakton, it's likely due to an incorrect login ID or password. Remember that while case sensitivity (uppercase or lowercase letters) is not crucial for MyOakton itself, it is essential for other Oakton systems.
Missing Courses: If you successfully log into MyOakton but cannot find your course listed under "MyCourses," it could indicate a registration problem, possibly a drop due to non-payment. Contact Registration and Records at 847.635.1705 to verify your status.
D2L Homepage Redirection: If clicking on your course redirects you to the D2L homepage, it might mean that the class is not yet accessible to students.
General Description or Irrelevant Site: If the link directs you to a general course description or another seemingly relevant site, your course is likely not utilizing D2L. Students in classes that only meet online should contact the Alternative Ed office.
Unrelated Site Redirection: Being redirected to an unrelated site could indicate a virus or spyware on your computer. Confirm by trying from a different computer before seeking help.
"404" Error or Access Denied: If the link results in a "404" error or indicates that you are not authorized to access the page, try from a different computer to confirm. If the issue persists on only one computer, contact the Information Technology Help Desk with details about where it worked and didn't work.
Conditional Release of Activities: Be aware that some activities, such as quizzes, may be "conditionally" released based on student ID, date, or other factors, as determined by your instructor.

Attendance and Technical Requirements

Several crucial factors need consideration when participating in online coursework.

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Attendance Requirements: Understand the attendance requirements for your online course.
Technical Preparedness: Ensure your computer meets the technical requirements for the online course, and that your computer and internet connection pass the system check.
Contingency Planning: Prepare a backup plan in case your computer crashes or your Internet connection fails. Consider having access to an alternate computer or utilizing Oakton's computer labs.

Technology Assistance

For technology needs, students can loan borrow a Google Chromebook, Hot Spot, Webcam, etc. from the IT Help Desk.

Access Codes

Many online courses require access codes to enter specialized learning sites. These codes are typically packaged with the corresponding textbook for the course and section. Direct any questions regarding access codes to your instructors, not the Office of Online Learning.

Navigating D2L (Brightspace)

It is essential to familiarize yourself with D2L, Oakton's online Learning Management System, before engaging in your online course. D2L serves as a central platform to:

Access assignments and course materials.
Review resources.
Participate in discussions.
View grades.
Complete classwork.

To access D2L, login directly to D2L here. If you need assistance while using D2L, please click on the Virtual Assistant "Get Help" Icon at the bottom lower right corner.

Brightspace Pulse App

Stay organized with the Brightspace Pulse app, a free application for Android or iOS devices. It synchronizes with your course, providing a weekly calendar, personal to-do lists, grades, course updates, and notifications. Download the app from the Google Play or iTunes App Store.

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Non-D2L Courses

Some courses may utilize non-Oakton sites like MyMathLab. In such cases, students should familiarize themselves with the technical demands and support provided by these platforms. Contact your instructor with any questions.

Out-of-Country Access

If you plan to be out of the country for part or all of a term, you will not be able to pay your bill, check your grades, register, or perform other transactions usually accessible through myOakton without making special arrangements in advance.

Academic Advising and Support Services

The Office of Advising, Transitions, and Student Success (OATSS) offers comprehensive support throughout your academic journey. Advisors assist students in aligning their academic and career goals with one of Oakton’s eight Areas of Interest. They collaborate with students to create personalized educational plans to guide them toward transferring, earning a degree or certificate, or entering the workforce. Plans are flexible and should be reviewed each semester.

For undecided students, the process begins by working closely with a Career and Transfer Coach in the Career and Transfer Center (CTC) for major exploration. The CTC team supports students as they explore majors, discover career opportunities, develop job search skills and access transfer resources.

Job seekers can connect with local employers by accessing job listings and posting their résumé on Oakton's Online Job Board at www.collegecentral.com/oakton.

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Contact Information:

Des Plaines Campus: Room 2901, 847.635.1735
Skokie Campus: Room A100, 847.635.1700

Personal counselors are available to assist with non-academic concerns and personal development issues which impact students’ personal and educational goals. Short-term counseling is available for Oakton students struggling with a wide array of adjustment issues, transition problems and mental health concerns. Referral information can be offered for students who need long-term counseling, support or services not available at Oakton.

Academic advisors in the Office of Advising, Transitions and Student Success are available to assist student veterans as they transition into the college system. Appointments may be made with an advisor through the Enrollment Center in room 1860 (Des Plaines) or room A100 (Skokie) or by calling 847.635.1700.

Orientation Programs

The orientation experience at Oakton is driven by academic goals and varies based on whether a student identifies as degree-seeking, certificate-seeking, or visiting.

Degree-seeking and certificate-seeking students are required to successfully complete an online orientation after being accepted to Oakton College. Visiting students are strongly encouraged to complete online orientation prior to registration.

New students receive information on how to complete the online orientation and/or register for a workshop once placement in reading, writing, and math has been completed.

TRIO Student Support Services

The TRIO Student Support Services program enhances the college experience at Oakton. TRIO helps students persist in their educational goals and transfer to four-year institutions by fostering close student/advisor relationships in a supportive community. Services include academic advising, transfer assistance, financial aid assistance, activities and events.

To participate in TRIO, students must meet the eligibility criteria: be a first-generation college student; demonstrate financial need; and/or have a documented learning or physical disability.

Resources for Parents and Families

As your student starts their journey at Oakton College, families are also starting a new chapter. Parents and families can begin by familiarizing themselves with FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). If your student wishes to disclose information to you throughout the semester, submit the Student Information Release Authorization and photo ID to the Enrollment Center. If they have some college, have them send all other college transcripts. If applicable, guide your student to gather/send all other college credit information to Oakton.

Presented by the Office of Advising, Transitions, and Student Success, this video presents an overview of your student’s onboarding steps at Oakton and outlines the departmental efforts available to support your student.

Academic Programs

Oakton offers a diverse range of academic programs across nine subject areas. Explore Oakton's degrees and certificates by zeroing in on your area of interest.

Here are a few examples:

Surgical Technology A.A.S.: Learn how to set up surgical environments, maintain sterility, and manage equipment and supplies as part of a surgical team.
STEM Disciplines: Future jobs-including many that don’t yet exist-will come from the STEM disciplines.
Humanities and Languages: As technology becomes more intricately woven into our interactions, the study of humanities and languages is more important than ever.
Health Care: Your options for a career in health care may include nursing-or may extend into other important areas.
Finance, Law or Business: Become a first responder or study for a career in finance, law or business at Oakton.

Course Registration

You can prepare for summer and fall classes with the schedule now viewable. Summer priority registration begins March 9, with open registration starting March 12. It's not too late to take your first steps to Oakton for the spring 2026 semester. We have classes beginning in February, March and April.

State-Licensed Professions

Some courses may be used in preparation for state-licensed professions. Many of those are regulated by the individual states and Oakton has no way of certifying the complete applicability of these for any state outside of Illinois. Department of Labor.

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