The Higher Education Opportunity Act (2008) requires that institutions offering distance learning or correspondence courses or programs have processes in place to ensure a student who registers for a distance learning/correspondence course is the same student who participates in the course or receives course credit. The Act requires institutions use one of the following methods:
- A secure login and passcode;
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Proctored examinations; and
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New or other technologies and practices that are effective in verifying student identification.
Prince George’s Community College complies with this requirement by:
1.) PGCC uses PortalGuard for college authentication and security, including secure login and password. All students are provided a myPGCC account for secure access to all college single sign-on systems. Each student may establish their own password. In addition to a secure login and password for each student, we require multi-factor authentication. More information on passwords and multi-factor authentication requirements can be found on the following askPGCC articles:
2.) Students who register in a distance education course that requires proctored examinations have access to online proctoring using Respondus Monitor and/or Examity or in person at the PGCC Testing Center. There are no additional fees associated with proctoring tools or the Testing Center. Proctoring tools including Respondus Monitor and Examity require the use of a camera to verify the identity of the student with the myPGCC account online. Photo IDs are required to verify the identity of students at the Testing Center and the exam is proctored by Testing Center personnel. Distance education courses that require proctored exams must notify students of the requirement for proctored exams in the course syllabus.
