All new students to the University of West Georgia need to have an orientation to the school before starting classes. If you are a partially Distance Learning student, then you will have to take an on-campus student orientation. But if you are a fully online student, there is a fully online student orientation for you. This UWG online student connection is located at http://www.westga.edu/~distance/. There is also a UWG Distance Student Guide at this location: http://www.westga.edu/~distance/distancestudents/.

All online instructors are provided with a narrated and non-narrated orientation presentation, as well as a complete Orientation module that they may include in their online class. The module reviews services, as well as navigation of the course management system, how to use each of the tools, practice assignments, and information on how to get help.

All new eCore students must complete an online orientation and quiz prior to enrolling in an eCore course. The orientation provides students with critical information about course success as well as what to expect in their online course. In addition, the eCore Student Success Manager sends a Getting Started Letter to all eCore students at the beginning of the term. Student may also refer to the eCore website or the eCore Student Guide online for ongoing reference ( http://ecore.usg.edu/student_guide.pdf ). Also, all registered eCore students are encouraged to login early to the online course management system and complete an additional eCore Student Orientation course. Small prizes are provided as incentives. All eCore courses also include a course-specific orientation within the first week's lesson. Specific degree programs may have additional orientation requirements.