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Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to your general questions about E-Campus, how online learning works, and what you can expect from your experience.

How Do I Get Started?

Getting started is easy. We're excited to join you in your online learning journey!

General Info About Online Courses

Understand how online courses are different than traditional courses and who can enroll in online courses.

How are Online Courses Different from Traditional Classes?

Miami University Regionals offer two primary types of online offerings:
  1. Online courses are conducted via the Internet.
  2. Hybrid courses blend online instruction with a traditional classroom experience. A typical hybrid course will meet on campus one time per week and the remainder of the content will be delivered online.
There are many similarities and ways in which online learning is different than learning face-to-face. Read more: 13 Differences Between Online and Face-to-Face Courses article.

Do I Need to Complete the Standard Admissions Process to Enroll in Online Courses?

Yes. If you are interested in applying for a degree or if you are a visiting student, please visit Admissions for more details.

Am I Required to Come to Campus for an Online Course?

Miami University Regionals has divided courses into three categories: Online Courses, Hybrid Courses, and Traditional Courses.

  1. Online courses have no location-based delivery which means students are not required to come to campus for class. Students can complete these classes from almost anywhere with a reliable internet connection.
  2. Hybrid courses usually have a component where students may be required to come to campus, usually no more than 50% of the class time.
  3. Traditional courses will require the student to come to campus.

Who Can Take Online Course(s)?

If you are a new student and have not yet applied to Miami Regionals, please visit Admissions. Online programs and courses are a good fit for just about any type of student: Our valued Veterans, high school students, returning students, transfer students, and those changing career direction.

We also welcome students who want to pick up transfer credit in the summer or winter terms while remaining near their hometowns.

Can I Take Online Classes if I Live Outside of Ohio?

While Miami University is authorized to provide distance learning in many states, authorization to offer all online programs/courses/degrees is not practical because of the complexity and fluidity of requirements in some states, including differing requirements by academic program.

Please review the State Authorization page for the most updated information for your state or contact Regionals E-Campus at 513-217-4003.

State Authorization refers to state regulation of distance education courses and programs offered to residents of a particular state by an educational institution based in another state, as well as state regulation of various non-distance activities within a particular state by institutions outside of that state. State authorization requirements vary widely from state to state and change frequently.

How Do I Schedule Online Classes If I'm Already a Miami Student?

You can register for online courses when your schedule classes.

Learn how to register for classes or schedule an appointment with your advisor.

Cost and Available Aid for Online Courses

Do Online Courses Cost the Same as Traditional Courses?

Online students are able to get the same quality experience at an affordable price. The Miami University Board of Trustees approved a fee of $35.00 per credit hour for all online and hybrid courses in addition to Regionals tuition and fees.

Tuition rates for the 2023 - 2024 academic year:

Ohio residents pay $338.26 per credit hour.
Non-Ohio residents pay $350.00 per credit hour.

Can I Use Financial Aid to Pay for Online Courses?

Yes, you can use financial aid to pay for online courses and programs. Visit the One Stop for Student Success for more information.

Find Answers About What to Expect with Online Courses

Learn more about technology requirements, textbooks, and the virtual classroom experience.

What Technology Do I Need to Complete an Online Course?

Online courses may be completed using almost any computer running a recent version of any of the major web browsers. Mobile applications are available free of charge, for iOS and Android devices. Review the computer basic specifications for Canvas.

Will I Need to Buy a Textbook?

Each course has its own requirements which may include: textbooks, software, and hardware. You can view the textbook requirements online at the Miami University Regionals bookstore. The bookstore can ship course materials to any location. Check with the Regionals libraries for free resources that may also be available to you.

What is the Academic Workload Like in an Online Course?

Online and hybrid courses are designed to be academically equivalent to traditional courses. Students often report spending more time on E-Campus courses because of the self-directed nature of the instruction. This increase in time is offset by the flexibility offered, especially in online courses.

Can I Work at My Own Pace When I Take an Online Course?

Online courses vary in pace and deadlines, however, most courses will have weekly or bi-weekly deadlines for assignments, exams, discussions, or group work. The syllabus and the course instructor will provide information on the course pacing and deadlines.

What is the Class Schedule for an Online Course(s)?

Miami University Regionals offers flexible scheduling options. During the Fall and Spring, we offer 14 weeks, 8-week, and 6-week courses. During the summer, 6 and 8-week options are available. During the month of January, students can complete a course in 3 weeks. View current online courses.

Do Online Courses Require Less Work Than an On-Campus Course?

No. Expect to do a similar amount of work and spend the same amount of time on your online course as you would for a traditional course. Some research shows that online courses may require more work and time to complete.

What Time Zone Do I Need to Observe for Course Activities and Deadlines?

Unless otherwise stated, all course activities (discussions, tests, assignments, etc. ) are due by their stated due date and in Eastern Time (EST). Regardless of the time zone in which you are located, the classroom will record your submission in Eastern Time. The Eastern Time zone is the same time zone in which Miami University is located.

For more information about time zones and which time zone you are located in, please visit TimeAndDate.com.

How Much Technology Knowledge Do I Need for an Online Course?

All Miami University online courses utilize Canvas, the university learning management system to facilitate the course and learning interactions. It will be important for all online students to become familiar with Canvas.

Here are some online tutorials that might be helpful: Canvas Student Guide.

Online Instructors and Students

All online courses have a dedicated instructor. Learn more about faculty and students in online classes.

Who Teaches Online Courses?

Online courses are taught by distinguished and credentialed Miami faculty who enjoy teaching and mentoring students in traditional, hybrid, or online courses.

Will the Instructor Be Available to Their Students During the Course?

Online courses have an instructor available to students for questions and help. The course syllabus should list the contact information for the instructor. While taking an online course, students may contact the instructor via email, phone, or video conference.

Are There Other Students in My Online Course?

Yes. Other students will be participating, but the interaction between the students will vary depending on the structure of the course. All online courses promote interaction between students, faculty, and the content to cultivate an online learning community.  

Glossary

Commonly-used Online Learning Terms

  • E-Campus - E-Campus (short for electronic learning) is an umbrella term that refers to all types of training, education, and instruction that occur on a digital medium, like a computer or mobile device.
  • Online Course(s) - An instructional approach that does not require class attendance on campus. Students complete all learning and regular interactions (content, instructor, and peers) via a virtual classroom or web-based tools with minimal synchronous (live) requirements.
  • Hybrid Course(s) - An instructional approach that includes a combination of online and in-person learning activities. The technology-delivered components include teaching and learning activities and reduce the time traditionally spent in the face-to-face classroom.
  • Asynchronous Activities - A learning event where students engage in learning without the constraints of time or location to meet course deadlines. For example, the use of digital repositories, on-demand videos/demonstrations, e-mail, discussion forums, independent projects, and wikis/collaborative documents allows for students and faculty to collaborate and learn at independent times.
  • Synchronous Activities - A learning event where students engage in learning at the same time, but not necessarily in the same location. For example, the use of instant messaging, live chat, webinars, virtual worlds, and video conferencing allows students and faculty to collaborate and learn in real time.
  • Learning Management System (LMS) - A technology platform that is used to administer, document, track, and deliver course(s) and/or training programs. The platform includes tools to facilitate online learning such as discussion forums, quizzes, notifications, peer review, group work, gradebook, e-portfolio, etc.
  • Mobile Learning - Learning that takes place on a hand-held device, such as a mobile phone or tablet, that can take place anytime and anywhere.

Miami University Regionals E-Campus

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