A Guide for Online Students and Others Using Online Technology
Students are encouraged to review all of these materials, especially those taking online courses.
Jax State Canvas Support from Online@JSU
Online@JSU supports Canvas, Canvas Studio, Honorlock, and Turnitin. Online@JSU is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm.
- Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 4:30 pm
- Phone: 256-782-8172
- Email: online@jsu.edu
- On the Web: http://www.jsu.edu/online
- Stay Connected: Facebook
Canvas Support from Instructure Canvas 24/7 Help
Direct support for the Canvas LMS is available from Instructure Canvas twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days a week. Help is available by text chat or by phone.
Accessing Canvas 24/7 Help
Login to Canvas. Click on Help [1]. Then, click on Chat w/Canvas Support [2] or Student Support Number [3].
Technology Support from the Jax State Technology Support Center
The Technology Support Center supports GEM Outlook email, DUO Mobile, MyJaxState, and Microsoft 365 Apps (Word, PowerPoint, Teams, etc).
- Hours of Operation: Twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days a week.
- Phone: 256-782-8324
- Email: techsupport@jsu.edu
- On the Web: http://www.jsu.edu/it
You will use the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) for your JSU online course(s). From within Canvas there are many resources and much information to help you learn to use Canvas and other technology for your courses.
Login info - Go to the Canvas Access page.
To find your JSU email address and email login credentials, contact Information Technology Help Desk at (256) 782-8324
For assistance, click the Help link inside Canvas or contact online@jsu.edu or (256) 782-8172.
As a reminder, you should never share your passwords with other individuals. You are the only person who should log into any of your University accounts.
University Email (GEM)
- Email Login: http://outlook.office365.com/
- eMail Help
JSU email is referred to as GEM. You will receive a GEM account as part of the application process. If you do not know your GEM account information, please contact the Information Technology Help Desk at (256) 782-8324 or support@jsu.edu .
Office 365 (Word, PowerPoint, and More)
Each student at JSU has access to Microsoft Office and many other tools. These services are part of the GEM email account. Office is available online and as a download to personal devices. OneDrive is included and offers students an excellent place to back-up and store university-related files.
MyJaxState
Many services such as registration, course schedule, email, and other technology may be accessed via https://myjaxstate.jsu.edu . Login with your ID (first part of email address) and your current or default password.
As a reminder, you should never share your passwords with other individuals. You are the only person who should log into any of your University accounts.
Several mobile apps are available to assist students in accessing Jax State tools and software. Review the available mobile apps and add them as needed.
Certain mobile applications may be specifically designed for particular device types—such as iPhone, iPad, Android phone, or Android tablet—but may also function on other devices that operate using compatible systems. For example, an app designed for iPhone may also be compatible with an iPad. For detailed information regarding compatibility, please refer to the corresponding app store for your device.
DUO Mobile
DUO Security is a service that allows a second factor, such as a mobile device, to be used for authentication. All students, staff, and faculty must enroll in DUO Mobile to access resources such as MyJSU, Canvas, and GEM email.
If you are a new student, you will be prompted to enroll in DUO when you first log in to MyJSU/MyJaxState. DUO will walk you through how to download the mobile app for your device, but you can also access them directly at the links below.
Once you install the app, you will activate it by scanning a QR code with the app’s built in scanner. Just follow the prompted instructions through the app.
MyJSU Mobile/MyJAXState Mobile
The MyJSU Mobile/MyJAXState Mobile app allows students to access MyJAXState. With MyJSU Mobile, a student can check grades, check their academic schedule, read about Jax State news and upcoming events, access GEM email, and more.
Canvas Student
The Canvas Student app allows student to access the Canvas Learning Management System. The app allows to access course content, submit assignments, check grades, and more.
Navigate360 Student
The Navigate360 Student app helps students connect with the right people, whether looking for academic advising, tutoring, ways to have fun outside the classroom and more.
The Chanticleer
The Chanticleer has been produced by Jacksonville State students since 1934, covering events and issues of interest to the campus community.
This mobile application contains our unmatched, up-to-the-minute coverage of the JSU community.
Jax State Athletics
Jacksonville State University, in partnership with SIDEARM Sports is excited to bring you the Official Jax State app that is a must-have for fans headed to campus or following the Gamecocks from afar. With interactive social media, and all the scores and stats surrounding the game, the Jax State app covers it all!
Microsoft Outlook
The Microsoft Outlook app allows students to access GEM email.
Microsoft Suite Apps
There are several Microsoft Suite apps available for students to download such as Teams, OneDrive, WORD, PowerPoint, Copilot, and more.
Apple Devices
To find and download Microsoft Suite apps to your Apple device(s), visit the Apple App Store. In the search box, search the keyword "office365." A complete list of available Microsoft Suite apps will appear and can be downloaded individually to your device(s).
Android Devices
To find and download Microsoft Suite apps to your Android device(s), visit the Google Play Apps store. In the search box, search the keyword "office365." A complete list of available Microsoft Suite apps will appear and can be downloaded individually to your device(s).
For the best course experience within Canvas and other technology, you need to have access to a minimum amount of technology. Please keep the following in mind as you review the recommendations and requirements below:
- Each system has certain requirements.
- The technology listed below is utilized in most online courses, but Canvas is used in almost all courses regardless of course format.
- The other technology listed may also be used in many courses, even if not fully online.
- Some academic departments and programs may have specific hardware and software requirements for student computers. Before purchasing a computer, please check with your department to learn more about recommended specifications.
Minimum Specifications Recommended (for details and potential acceptable variations, see Requirement Details info section below):
- Hardware and OS
- Required
- Windows 11 with the latest updates
- Intel Core i5 (or equivalent AMD CPU)
- 8 GB RAM
- 128 MB or more of graphics memory
- SSD (recommended), 250 GB or more and/or HDD, 500 GB or more
- 15" LCD or larger
- Built-in or USB web camera with microphone (a limited number of USB webcams are available for short-term check out through the JSU Houston Cole Library)
- Built-in or USB wireless network card capable of 100 Mbps or more
- Optional
- Compatible headphones
- Optical drive
- External HDD (for routine backups)
- USB 3.0 thumb drive, 32 GB or more (recommended)
- Required
- Web browser
- Google Chrome with latest updates
- JavaScript enabled
- Cookies allowed from Canvas and Turnitin.com/TurnitinUK.com
-
- Honorlock Extension installed (provided at no additional charge by JSU to all students and employees; see below for more info)
- No blocking of necessary web addresses, etc. (see below for more info)
- Google Chrome with latest updates
- Internet access:
- Cable or DSL Internet subscription
- Minimum 10 Mbps download speed, 50 Mbps or more recommended
- Minimum 1 Mbps upload speed, 5 Mbps or more recommended
- Note: Higher download and upload speeds are necessary for networks with multiple users and/or multiple devices, especially where streaming and large file transfers are involved.
- Cable or DSL Internet subscription
- Other software
- Studio (provided at no additional charge by JSU to all students and employees)
- Microsoft Office 365 (provided at no additional charge by JSU to all students and employees)
- Microsoft Teams (provided at no additional charge by JSU to all students and employees; see below for more info)
- Windows Defender with updated definitions and scheduled scans
- Do not block required web addresses and other pathways (see below for more info)
Requirement Details For Each Standard Online System:
- Canvas System Requirements
- Canvas Studio
- Honorlock Online Proctoring (scroll down to Minimum Requirements section on the linked page)
- See Honorlock Student Tutorial for more info
- Turnitin Feedback Studio
- Microsoft Teams System Requirements
- See Teams Student Tutorial for more info
If you are planning to attend any JSU sporting events or utilize certain campus resources, you will need a JSU ID card. Please review the information on the ID Cards page and in the "Identification Card" section of the Student Handbook.
For information about textbooks, please go to the JaxBooks Program page. Since JaxBooks is effective starting with the Fall 2025 term, some of the information and procedures may be delayed until all components are completely updated between the Summer 2025 and Fall 2025 terms. For example, the Canvas configuration will be updated in August after Summer 2025 ends.
Tutoring services at Jacksonville State University models high-quality, effective academic skills, provide content-specific supplemental instruction, and create a connection to the institution. A tutor's goal is to help students LEARN to help themselves and to assist or guide students to the point at which they become independent learner. Tutoring is available for any JSU student for most core courses. Tutoring is FREE as long as you are a JSU student.
Academic Support Website
Location- Houston Cole Library
Tutor.com provides free 24/7 online learning support to students each semester. With access to over 3,000 online tutors, each student receives 5 hours of free tutoring per semester. Tutor.com is available in the course menu of every Canvas course. Read the Tutor.com Instructions for more information.
Course Access Expiration
Due to federal guidelines and university course archiving procedures, all students, undergraduate and graduate, lose access to courses three days after final exams end, at 11:59 PM.
- Example: For Fall 2025, student access ends on December 12, 2025, at 11:59 PM.
It is your responsibility to save all of your work as desired in a location outside of Canvas before course access closes.
Files and Course-Related Materials
Save your files and any pertinent course-related materials you believe you will need later to complete your undergraduate or graduate program, or pass any industry-related accredited examination in your chosen field of study and expertise. This is especially important for graduate students needing to pass a Master's Comprehensive Exam, Master's Oral Exam, or any type of degree-related or accreditation-related exam. Examples may include videos, faculty-provided documents when available for download, faculty recommendations and feedback, journal articles, website links, papers you have written, discussion posts, etc. Course content provided by faculty may not always be available for download, so students should save their own adequate notes for any topic needed for future reference.
What should students save?
At minimum, all students are advised to save the following files:
- All files submitted (Word, PDFs, PPTs, etc.)
- All annotated-feedback files you receive from faculty
- All discussion posts
- All videos recorded and submitted
- Turnitin Similarity Reports
- Any course documents or files available for download from your courses
Recommendations, Tips, and Guidance
Please review the following recommendations. They will help you save and organize your coursework.
Create a File Folder Structure
All Jax State students have access to OneDrive. It is accessed by logging into your GEM Office 365 Account. In OneDrive create a file folder structure (organization) and save all of your submitted work (WORD documents, PDFs, PPTs, etc.) in the appropriate folder location. Organize your files in a way that makes the most organizational sense to you.
One method is to create a folder for each semester, and then create subfolders for each course within that folder. Another method is to create a folder for each course. Whatever you decide, make sure it makes sense to you and that you can find your files as quickly as you need them.
Create a File Folder Structure in OneDrive - Tutorial Video (2:17)
Write Discussion Entries in WORD or Pages
Rather than writing discussion posts directly into a Canvas discussion board, write it in WORD (Microsoft) or Pages (Mac) first and then transfer it to the discussion board. Doing so will ensure that you have a record of all discussion posts.
Conversely, if you find this method to be time consuming, consider either taking screenshots of your submitted posts and saving them in WORD (or Pages) or printing the entire discussion board page to a PDF file from the web browser.
Download All Assignment Submissions from Canvas
In Canvas, students can download all assignment submissions for both current and concluded courses. The download only includes any files that were submitted to fulfill an assignment. They do not include any submissions modified by instructors, such as annotated submissions.
How do I download assignment submissions from all my courses? - Tutorial from Instructure Canvas (text & images, and video)
Download Annotated Documents from SpeedGrader in Canvas
If faculty annotate and provide feedback on your submitted assignment documents in SpeedGrader, you can download them.
How do I view annotation feedback comments from my instructor directly in my assignment submission? - Tutorial from Instructure Canvas (text & images, and video)
Download a Similarity Report as a Student
If you submit assignment documents to Turnitin, you can download a Current View of the Similarity Report, a digital receipt, and the original file you submitted.
Downloading a Similarity Report as a student - Tutorial from Turnitin (text & images)
Access Your Canvas User Files
In Canvas, students can access their user files. User files include profile pictures, uploaded assignment submissions, and other files uploaded to your personal Canvas file storage area.
These files can be accessed during a course and after a course has concluded.
Note: Each user has a file storage quota limit of 200 MBs.
In your online courses, you may be using numerous options for completing tests and assessments. Check with your instructor for testing requirements.
Online proctoring - Your professor may require you to use Honorlock, JSU's online remote proctoring service (with identity verification). At this time, there is no additional cost to students for this service. For more information, go to the Honorlock Student Tutorial.
Campus Services - (when appropriate):
- JSU Testing Center - For certain testing situations, you may need this resource in order to complete your test. This resource is also available even when using Honorlock, for students who do not have a computer or location meeting the Honorlock requirements. Scheduling ahead of time is required. To schedule a test session, please contact the JSU Testing Center at (256) 782-8378 or testingservices@jsu.edu. Location- Student Success Center, Houston Cole Library, Ground Floor, Room B22
- Webcam Check Out - A limited number of USB webcams are available for short-term check out through the JSU Houston Cole Library.
Note: Some instructors and courses may have requirements for proctoring services (with identity verification) other than those described above. In those cases, or if students choose other methods, there may be a cost to students. Your instructor is the best source of information regarding the specific requirements and extra cost associated with your course.
The Houston Cole Library (HCL) provides resources to all students, online and in person. More information is available at the Library Access Off Campus web site. The HCL also offers a number of other services to the JSU community, many of which are available online.
JSU online students also have access to the Alabama Virtual Library which provides online access to essential library and information resources. It is primarily a group of online databases that have magazine, journal, and newspaper articles for research. Access the AVL at https://www.avl.lib.al.us/ For information on accessing the AVL from outside Alabama, see AVL Connection Information
Webcam Check Out - A limited number of USB webcams are available for short-term check out through the JSU Houston Cole Library.
General Library Info:
Call JSU Library at (256) 782-5758
email Library- ask@jsu.libanswers.com
Website- https://www.jsu.edu/library Location- Main JSU campus, on Pelham Road across from Angle Hall main administrative building.
As a JSU Online student, you have access to all services and events as all JSU students. In order to attend events or utilize some on-campus services, you will need a student ID. For information on receiving an ID, see the Student ID Cards section of this page.
Student Life organizes events and student organizations, and the Chanticleer is a great source of information for campus events and news.
Complete an application for undergraduate or graduate admissions. The academic calendar includes registration schedules, semester schedules and other information. (Distance education courses follow the same calendar as regular on-campus classes).
Call Financial Aid- (256) 782-5268 (undergraduate) or 5348 (graduate)
email Admissions- info@jsu.edu (undergraduate) or graduate@jsu.edu (graduate)
Website- https://www.jsu.edu/undergraduate and https://www.jsu.edu/graduate
Location- 3rd Floor TMB (undergraduate) or 320 Angle Hall (The Graduate School)
Costs and Fee Payment
Tuition and fees maybe different for online classes. Check the current rates at tuition, fees, etc. For more information, contact the Bursar's office.
Call Bursar's Office- (256) 782-5458
Contact Bursar
Website- Bursar Website
Location- 245 Angle Hall
Counseling Services
Counseling is available for JSU students, faculty, and staff. Individuals can call to make an appointment or fill out our Request for Service form.
Call Counseling Services- (256) 782-5475
Contact Counseling Services
Website - Counseling Services Website
Location- 147 Trustee Circle
Disability Resources
The mission of Disability Resources is to facilitate appropriate and reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
Call Disability Resources- 256-782-8380
Website- Disability Resources Website
Location- 2nd Floor, Houston Cole Library
Financial Aid
Most students receive some form of financial aid. The Office of Financial Aid will assist you with any concerns or questions you may have about the financial aid process. See the Financial Aid FAQ Hints page for question which have been answered.
Call Financial Aid- (256) 782-5006
Contact Financial Aid
Website- Financial Aid Website
Location- 107 Angle Hall
Military and Veterans
The Veteran and Military Services office assists veterans and their dependents with receiving benefits under various federal and state programs. This office ensures that proper paperwork is completed, certified, and filed with the VA so that payment dispersal can begin.
Call Veterans Affairs- 256-782-8838
email Veterans Affairs- veteransaffairs@jsu.edu
Website- Veteran & Military Services website
Location- 117 Angle Hall
Registration
You may register online through the MyJaxState portal system. Go to the Registration Information page for the most recent information regarding online registration.
Call The Registrar's Office- (256) 782-5400
Contact The Registrar's Office
Website- Registrar's Office Website
Location- 113 Angle Hall
Student Life
Call Student Life- (256) 782-5491
Contact Student Life
Website- Dean of Student's Office Website
Location- 402 TMB
You may register through the MyJaxState portal system. Go to the Registration Information page for the most recent information regarding online registration.
To find online courses, go to the Interactive Class Schedule. After selecting the appropriate semester, search for online courses by choosing "Online" as the Instructional Method. Choose any other search parameters. Submit your search.