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Frequently Asked Questions

General Online Course Information

Understand how online courses differ from traditional courses and who can enroll in online courses.

How are online courses different from traditional classes?

Miami University offers two primary types of online offerings:

  1. Online courses conducted via the Internet.
  2. Hybrid courses, which 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.

Am I required to come to campus for an online course?

No, but if you plan to enroll in any hybrid courses, some on-campus meetings will be required.
  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.

Who can take online course(s)?

Online programs and courses are a good fit for just about any type of student: military veterans, high school students, returning students, transfer students, graduate students, and working professionals. If you are a new student and have not yet applied to Miami Online, please visit Apply. 

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

How do I schedule online classes if I'm already a Miami student?

You can register for online courses when you schedule your classes.

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

Find your Advisor

Learn about taking Regionals Online classes as an Oxford student

 Can I take online classes if I live in a state other than Ohio?

Miami Online’s Professional Education offerings are available to anyone, anywhere in the world.

While Miami University is authorized to provide for-credit 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 different requirements by academic program.

Please review the State Authorization page for the most updated information for your state or contact us.

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.

Can international students enroll in a Miami Online program?

Miami Online’s Professional Education offerings are available to anyone, anywhere in the world. However, a U.S. based credit card is required for registration.

Students may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis to complete an online program for credit from their country of residence. U.S. Online degree programs for international students are often subject to geographical restrictions. It is the international student’s responsibility to ascertain any special requirements in their home jurisdiction for (i) recognition of the online degree, licensure, certification, or employment in a specific field; (ii) any tax implications (e.g., withholding tax) in addition to the price of tuition; and (iii) understanding the process and reasons for collection of its data in its home jurisdiction.

International students who enroll in an online degree program acknowledge and agree that the university’s online program is a certificate and/or degree accredited and only recognized in the United States and may not lead to any accreditation or recognition outside of the U.S.

Please contact us before getting started on your application. 

Contact Undergraduate Admission

Contact Graduate Admission

Cost and Aid

Do online courses cost the same as traditional courses?

Undergraduate degree programs cost the same as on-campus courses at Miami Regionals, except for an extra $35-per-credit-hour distance learning fee, for in-state students.

Out-of-state students pay $350 per credit hour for online courses but pay out-of-state tuition for on-campus courses.

Costs for graduate programs, professional education courses, and Microcredentials vary by program.

Is financial aid available for Miami Online courses and programs?

Miami Online students may qualify for scholarships, grants, and other types of financial aid. Learn more about financial aid opportunities.

Technology

How do I get answers about Canvas, technology requirements, or software?

For Canvas questions, technology requirements, software information, and more, visit our Technical Support resource page. For assistance with an issue, contact IT Support.

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?

Miami Online Degree and Microcredential Courses

These 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.

Miami Online Professional Education Courses

An expert instructor designs the course content and experience, but students do not normally interact with the instructor while taking the course. However, the Miami Online team is always available via email to help with any questions or technical difficulties students experience. 

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. Many online courses promote interaction between students, faculty, and the content to cultivate an online learning community.  

Other Questions About Miami Online

Where do I find current job openings at Miami Online?

Will I need to buy a textbook?

Each course has its own requirements which may include textbooks, software, and/or hardware. Some courses provide all course materials at no extra cost to the student. You can view textbook requirements for specific courses on the Miami University bookstore website. The bookstore can ship course materials to any location. Check with the library 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 Miami Online courses because of the self-directed nature of the instruction. This increase in time is offset by the flexibility offered.

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)?

During the fall and spring semesters, we offer 14-, 8-, 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 three 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. Regardless of the time zone in which you are located, the classroom will record your submission in Eastern Time. 

For more information about time zones, please visit TimeAndDate.com.

Glossary

Commonly-used Online Learning Terms

  • 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.

Contact Miami Online

Mosler Hall 316
1601 University Blvd.
Hamilton, OH 45011