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Technical Requirements and Considerations

Students need particular hardware and software to successfully participate in our online programs. The sections below list minimum computer hardware, software, and computer skills. Please note that these are minimum requirements, and that our online courses will work more effectively with higher capabilities.

Additional technical requirements and information are available from ResNet, D2L Services, and RamCloud.

• Operating System
  • Windows 7, 8, or 10
  • Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) or higher
• Processor
  • Industry standard processor (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor or higher, AMD Athlon 64 X2, AMD Turion 64 X2, etc.)
• Memory
  • 32-bit systems: 2 GB minimum, 3 GB recommended (NOTE: 32 bit systems cannot use all of 4 GB of memory, so unless you have a 64-bit machine, getting the extra GB will not give you the performance boost you are looking for)
  • 64-bit systems: 3 GB minimum, 4 GB or more recommended
• Hard Drive Space
  • 300 GB minimum, 500 GB or more recommended
• Browser
  • D2L Services recommends Firefox for use in the Brightspace by D2L Learning Management System
• Plug-ins
  • Adobe Reader
  • Adobe Flash Player
  • Microsoft Silverlight
• Additional Software
  • Microsoft Office 2010 or higher (Microsoft Office 365 is available for free to all WCU students)
• Internet Connection
  • Broadband connection required
• Printer
  • Access to graphics-capable printer
• Microphone and Speakers
  • Microphone and Speakers are required
  • USB headphones with an attached microphone are also recommended.
• Webcam
  • May be required by certain courses