1. Admission
  2. Technology Requirements

Technology Requirements

Getting the most out of your Champlain College Online experience starts with having the right technology in place. The recommendations below will help you participate fully in your online courses.

Tools You'll Need to Succeed

Champlain College Online uses Canvas for its online classroom. To participate in online courses at Champlain, students must own or have regular access to a personal computer with a reliable internet connection. Students in technical courses or programs of study will have different or additional requirements, listed below.

For Discounts On Software and/or Computers Please Visit the Following:

General Requirements

The following specifications apply to all students. A desktop or laptop computer is required to fully participate in coursework. Smartphones, tablets, and Chromebooks are not recommended as primary devices, as some course systems may not function fully on those platforms. 

Internet 

  • 25 Mbps or higher 
  • High-speed cable, fiber, VDSL, fixed wireless, or satellite connections are all supported 

Windows PC 

  • Processor: Intel 12th Gen Core i5 or higher, or AMD Ryzen 5 3000 series or higher. Note: Snapdragon and ARM-based Windows laptops are not currently recommended due to potential compatibility issues. 
  • Memory: 16GB RAM or higher 
  • Storage: 256GB SSD or higher (SSD recommended over HDD) 
  • Display: 13.3" or larger for laptops; 22" or larger for desktop monitors 
  • Desktop users should also have a functional webcam and a headset with microphone for online meetings and course content. 

Mac 

  • Chip: M2 or later 
  • Memory: 16GB or higher 
  • Storage: 256GB SSD or higher 

Other Considerations 

  • Apple and Linux operating systems are both compatible with Canvas. However, some software required for specific courses runs on Windows only. Students should confirm their program's software requirements before selecting a computer. 
  • The right screen setup depends on your study habits and course requirements. For most students, a quality 21" or larger display at 1920x1080 resolution works well. Students who frequently work with multiple windows or documents side by side may find that two smaller monitors suit their workflow just as effectively.

Minimum Requirements for Technical Courses/Programs of Study

In addition to the requirements listed above, some technical courses require students to have computers that go beyond the minimum requirements, and/or purchase/install additional software. Below are the additional hardware and software requirements for students enrolled in technical programs. For requirements related to a specific course or program, students are strongly encouraged to reach out to the instructor and/or their advisor prior to making hardware and software purchases. 

Recommended 

  • Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9 or Core i9 (13th Gen or newer), or AMD Ryzen 9 (7000 or 9000 series) 
  • Graphics: Nvidia RTX 50 series or higher 
  • Memory: 32GB DDR5 (64GB recommended for Game Development students) 
  • Storage: 1–2TB NVMe SSD 
  • Display: At least one 22" monitor; two monitors recommended for complex workflows 
  • Operating System: Canvas is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. Some course software is Windows-only, so students should confirm their program's requirements before choosing a computer. Students in game programs or digital forensics should plan on Windows 11. 

Minimum 

  • Processor: Intel Core i7 (12th Gen or newer), or AMD Ryzen 7 (5000 series or newer) 
  • Graphics: Nvidia RTX 4060, RTX 3060 Ti, or AMD RX 7600 XT 
  • Memory: 16GB DDR4/DDR5 (32GB strongly recommended) 
  • Storage: 512GB–1TB NVMe SSD

Additional Software

Students in web design and development programs may need access to Adobe Dreamweaver and Photoshop, two applications from the Adobe Creative Suite which students can get here.

Questions

If you have any questions about technology requirements, please check-in with your instructor or your academic advisor.

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Our admission counselors are standing by to answer your technology questions. Complete this form and we'll be in touch ASAP!
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