Distance Learning

Administrative Assistant, A.A.S. 
Business Management, A.A.S 
Computer Support Specialist, A.A.S. 
Information Security and Assurance, A.A.S.
Logistics and Supply Chain Management, A.A.S. 
Network Administrator, A.A.S.

Associate of Arts

Teaching 7-12 and Other EC-12, A.A.T. 
Teaching EC - 6, 4-8, EC-12 Special Education, A.A.T.

Administration Level I Certificate

Cisco Certified Network Associate Level I Certificate  

Computer Forensics Level 1 Certificate

Computer Programming Basics Level I Certificate

Computer Support Specialist Level I Certificate

Entry-Level Supervision Level 2 Certificate

General Office Level I Certificate

Information Assurance & Cybersecurity Level I Certificate

International Logistics Management Level I Certificate

Leadership Level I Certificate  

Logistics Management Level I Certificate

Manufacturing Management Level I Certificate 

Personal Computer Skills Level I Certificate

Secretarial Assistant Level I Certificate

Transportation Management Level I Certificate

Warehouse Management Level I Certificate

Online courses offer the convenience and flexibility of participating in a course without a formal schedule or location. However, online courses require a unique set of skills. Before you enroll, you should feel confident that your study habits, time management, computer skills, and independent motivation match what’s required in the online learning environment.

If you are new to online courses, PAC recommends that you enroll in the *free* Orientation to Online Learning, OLRN or “O-Learn,” mini-course. OLRN is free and takes about 2-hours to complete. It prepares you to be a more successful online student. Your advisor can assist with OLRN registration.

Some online instructors at PAC may require OLRN; this information is available in the course catalogue.

Located in the Ozuna Library building, room 150, the Academic Learning Studio (ALS) is part of the Palo Alto College Information Technology Services (IT) department. The ALS is the largest computer lab on campus and open to the whole community! The ALS provides free IT services, economical printing, as well as a variety of basic tech-based workshops for students and non-students alike, and device checkouts are available to currently enrolled PAC students. 

Access to electronic resources and library assistance can be found at the following links.

Access to all academic and student support services can be found at the following link.

Support at PAC

Canvas Live Chat Support 

Canvas Support Live Chat (Links to an external site.)

The identity verification process for online courses protects student’s privacy through the use of a secure portal with a secure login and student-created password. All online courses are hosted on Alamo Colleges District secure learning management system, Canvas. Faculty can post assignments and exams within the learning management system to ensure the privacy of student information. In addition, BioSig-ID, a biometric enabling system, is used in all online courses.

Alamo Colleges District also issues each student a nine-digit student identification number. This number becomes the unique identifier for students throughout their academic history at the College. 

Some PAC online courses require students to come to campus for proctored exams in order to verify student identity and maintain the integrity of the exam.  All PAC online courses require a biometric signature verification in order to verify the student’s identity prior to completing an online assignment or taking an online exam.

Both students and faculty are responsible for the security of their secure-portal passwords and are strongly encouraged to use strong passwords and change their passwords every 90 days.

PAC students are required to use Alamo Colleges District email address or the communication features within the course Learning Management System to communicate with their online instructors.  This will ensure that all electronic communications with the instructor are secure. 

Faculty and staff understand and carry out a commitment to confidentiality, integrity, and security to protect the privacy of students who participate in distance learning activities. Student records are kept private by the instructor, except in cases where academic staff or administration access the course, with legitimate educational interest under FERPA guidelines.

In order to maintain course security and protect student privacy, faculty do not access or attempt to access another employee’s or student’s account without authorization as described in Board Policy C.1.9 Appropriate Use of Information Technology.

In order to maintain confidentiality, portal login passwords are generated by the student and any password reset is completed through a “secret question” protocol. It is the student’s responsibility to keep passwords confidential. See Student Code of Conduct Procedure F.4.2.1 and Board Policy C.1.9 Appropriate Use of Information Technology Resources.

Only work submitted to open forums, like discussion boards, can be accessed by other students; other assignments, grades and correspondence are not viewable by other students.