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Welcome to the Naval Postgraduate School's Distance Learning Programs. We are here to support you and want your experience with NPS to be a positive one. Below you'll find important information about:
NPS Network Accounts
Some NPS DL programs provide students with an NPS network account (NT Account) and all students will receive a Blackboard Account. If you have been assigned a NT account, you should've received the information with your account name and initial password. This information is used to access the NPS webmail system and Python.
For new students, your Blackboard user ID and password should be emailed to you by NPS Blackboard administrators upon registration into your first class. Please refer to the Blackboard section below for where this information will be sent. Please note that your Blackboard information will be separate from the NT account. For more information about NPS Blackboard, refer to the Blackboard section below.
You will also need the NT account information to access Python. Please refer to the Python section below for more information about how to log into Python.
If you experience any trouble logging in, or have lost your information, contact the NPS Technical Assistance Center (TAC) .
Webmail and Changing your Password
Video: Webmail and Changing your password
To access your NPS email, go to https://webmail.nps.edu/, use your NPS user name and password as provided.
How to Change Your Password
- You can change your password by logging onto webmail at https://webmail.nps.edu
- Click the options folder on the left hand side of the page
- Scroll down to the bottom of the options page and click on change password
- An internet service manager dialog box will open.
- Type ern for domain
- Type your login name
- Enter your current password
- Type a new password
- Type new password again to confirm it
- Click OK
The criteria for Passwords at NPS:
Passwords will be set to a minimum of 9 characters
Passwords will contain at least:
- 2 - Lowercase letters (a,b,c…)
- 2 - Uppercase letters (A,B,C…)
- 2 - Numbers (1,2,3,…)
- 2 - Special characters (#,*,&…)
Passwords may not contain a word in any language
Passwords will be changed every 90 days
It is important to change your password upon your initial login.
For any problems with your login credentials or changing your password, contact the NPS Technical Assistance Center (TAC) .
NPSBart
Video: NPSBart at NPS
NPSBart is used to connect DL students to the following systems on campus:
- Python
- NPS Intranet
- SOF's (Student Opinion Forms)
For issues or questions about connecting to NPSBart, contact the NPS Technical Assistance Center (TAC) .
Blackboard (Bb) accounts
Video: Blackboard at NPS
Text: Introduction Document (.doc)
Your online classes – including course information, assignments, discussion forums, and other course activities – will be delivered using the NPS Blackboard Learning System, located at http://nps.blackboard.com/.
New Students: Your Blackboard user ID and initial password will be emailed to you by NPS Blackboard administrators upon registration into your first class.
- OCL Supported Degree Program Students and EMBA will receive this information via your new NPS EMAIL ACCOUNT (please see the Webmail information above for accessing your NPS email account).
- For all others (including certificate and non-OCL supported programs) will receive their BB information at the email account listed in Python (usually this email address is the one you put on your application).
Once you have received your Blackboard Login information, confirm your account is functional by logging into the NPS Blackboard system immediately; DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS . After you log in, you will see links to your course(s) in the upper right corner ("My Courses" section) of your Blackboard "home" page. Please note that your upcoming course(s) may not be available until the first day of class.
Please note that the email address found in Blackboard is the primary way your instructors will contact you. If your email changes, even for temporary reasons (ie. Vacation, temporary duty assignments), be sure to update your email address in Blackboard.
For any problems with your login credentials or using Blackboard, please first check the Bb FAQ's. For any additional problems, contact the NPS Technical Assistance Center (TAC) .
Python
Video: Python Getting Started
Python is the official student management system used to maintain your academic record while at NPS. What are the benefits of using Python? You can:
- Update personal information (e.g., changes in rank, address changes, how you want your name on your certificate, etc) Note: It is important to make personal information changes in both Python AND Blackboard.
- Access your academic record to view grades and print unofficial transcripts
- Submit quarterly Student Opinion Forms (SOF) for each course (required prior to the release of grades)
- Receive Registrar-related bulk emails quarterly with important information.
- Request to add, drop, or withdrawal from a course.
Accessing Python
- Go to the NPS Remote Access link: https://npsbart.nps.edu
- The WebVPN Service Login window will appear. Enter your NPS "User Name" and "Password" then click "Login".
- The NPS Remote Access: SSL-VPN (NPSBART) Website Directory will appear.
- Click on the Python link.
- The Welcome to Python window will appear. Click on "Python User Login".
- The WebVPN Service Authentication Required window will appear. Enter your "User Name" and "Password" then click "Continue".
- You should now be logged on to Python.
For any additional problems, contact the NPS Technical Assistance Center (TAC) .
Note: It is very important that you keep your student information up to date in Python so OCL can reach you. Each time you relocate, change a phone, fax, cell, address – you must make these changes in Python. You will also need to complete your student opinion forms (SOFs) on Python in order to receive your grades/transcripts.
Video Streaming & VTE
VTE classes are delivered using the NAVCAST (NPS Academic Video Webcast) system powered by VBrick Technologies.
Distributed Learning students can find the live and archived streams of their VTE classes and seminars as well as public special events such as SGL’s and graduations here: https://navcast.nps.edu/. Select instructors are allowing their classes to be download and saved in an .mp4 format. To see if your classes are available for downloading, please refer to the NPS NAVCAST Podcasting page for a list of classes.
The streaming portal and the podcasting webpages will require authentication using your NPS provided NT credentials. If you are unsure of your username or password or have problems logging into NAVCAST, please contact the NPS Technical Assistance Center (TAC) . Please be prepared to verify your identity to the TAC personnel.
For further information about getting around the new NAVCAST system and troubleshooting information, please reference the information found on the ITACS Video Streaming Help pages. For all other issues and questions, please contact the NPS Technical Assistance Center (TAC).
Elluminate Live!
Some DL classes are currently being offered via Elluminate Live. Elluminate Live is a web based collaboration system that supports Video and Voice over IP, text chat, an interactive white board, application sharing, document sharing, and video sharing. To access tutorials, test your Elluminate Live connection and to get additional information about this application, please visit the Elluminate Support Page.
NPS Dudley Knox Library Information
Video:
Your NPS Library: 10 important things in 5 minutes
All NPS students are entitled to a Library account. An account enables you to borrow materials and to access the Library’s many licensed electronic resources from off campus. Most distance learners should automatically receive an e-mail from the Library with your account information. If you do not know your Library account information or would like to request an account, please send an e-mail to dlib@nps.edu, circdesk@nps.edu or (831)656-2947.
The Library’s home page is located here.
Distance learners may also want to refer to our Library Information for Distributed Learning Students.
If you experience problems logging into Library resources, contact either the Circulation desk (831)656-2947 or circdesk@nps.edu, or Research Assistance (contact methods described on our Ask a Librarian page.
Books and additional course materials
This is specific for OCL supported programs. If you're not part of an OCL program, please check in with your program's student coordinator for more information about books and materials for your classses.
All students are responsible for acquiring their own textbooks and materials unless your sponsor has included the course materials in the tuition costs. If you are unsure, please contact your program sponsor, the OCL Student Coordinator or the Program Manager for your program.
Textbooks:
The textbook listing can be found for the upcoming quarter here. The listing is updated approximately 6 weeks prior to the start of the quarter.
NOTE: OCL does not recommend purchasing books for future quarters based on the current list because there is the possibility that instructors may change editions and/or the requirements for the class.
Additional materials:
Classes requiring a download of application software (ie. MS Office, Visio, Project etc) can be downloaded from the NPS Remote Software download website. This site will require your user name and password to log in.
Prior to downloading, ensure you have the priviledges to install applications. If unsure or if you're experiencing problems, please contact your local computer administrator.
For issues with log-in creditials or technical problems with the download site, contact the NPS Technical Assistance Center (TAC) for assistance. If you continue to have issues with the downloads that cannot be resolved by calling the TAC (ie. Low bandwidth, spotty connectivity etc), please contact the OCL Student Coordinator OCLStudCoord@nps.edu immediately for next steps.
Changes in Email, Mailing Addresses or Phone Numbers
If your email changes, even temporarily, update your account in Blackboard first, then Python. In addition, you must notify your instructor of the email change as many use a contact list separate of Blackboard. Changes to email addresses, mailing addresses and phone numbers should be done in Python and maintained.
Note: It is very important that you keep your student information current in Python. Any time you relocate, change a phone, fax, cell, address – you must make these changes in Python. Because you are required to complete your SOFs in Python in order to receive your grades/transcripts, it is strongly recommended that you become familiar with using Python. *Instructors are not permitted to release grades/transcripts to you prior to the completion of a SOF for each course you are enrolled in each quarter.
Certificates and Diplomas
Each curriculum successfully completed results in a certificate or diploma. Some curriculums offer additional certificates upon completion of a particular class or set of classes. Once you have met all requirements of any certificate or diploma, your name is forwarded though a lengthy process. Although you can access your unofficial transcripts indicating the grades earned for each class, you may not receive your paper certificate for up to three months after the date of the last quarter. It is imperative that you update your personal information in Python regularly to ensure certificates are printed accurately and mailed to the correct address. Reprints take additional time and can be avoided by taking this simple step.
Official and Unofficial Transcripts
Naval Postgraduate School alumni can request an official transcript of their course work from the Registrar's Office. Please see the "Alumni Transcript Requests" page for more information.
Unofficial transcripts can be obtained and printed from the Matrix tab in Python.
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