How Do Online Classes Work? What to Know Before You Start

Whether you’re considering going back to school to start or finish a degree, taking online courses is an option that allows you to maintain control of your schedule.

Before you decide what course format you want to pursue, you may be wondering exactly how online college classes work.

What to Expect in an Online Class

You might be familiar with taking a college class in a face-to-face environment in a traditional college setting. The basic premise is still the same online.

You’ll have a syllabus to introduce you to what the class — or course — is about. It also outlines:

• Academic policies
• Assignment types and schedules
• Grading information
• Learning outcomes
• Required materials

Your assignments will be much like what you might expect or have experienced on campus, except they will be virtual. Rather than an in-class discussion, you’ll use online forums for discussion posts and responses. There may be readings and additional resource materials, along with quizzes, academic papers, presentations and other assignments pertinent to specific areas of study.

A vast array of resource materials is available through a virtual library, and quite often with 24/7 chat assistance.

Every class also has an instructor you can reach out to with questions or if you need support. These instructors bring a wealth of experience relating to the course's subject matter, which means they can help you connect the dots between what you're learning and how it applies to the industry.

What is the Online College Community Like?

While the work will be done from wherever you are, you’re not alone if you choose a school with support in place to help you succeed.

Online students at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), for instance, work with:

• Admission counselors, who ensure the degree program they choose is the right fit and answer any questions you have about the application and enrollment process.
• Academic advisors, who provide support throughout each course and assist with scheduling, resource advice and lend a hand whenever needed.
• Career advisors, who can help you work toward your career goals, whether you're angling for a promotion at work or want to leave your job and find a new one.
• Instructors, who are available throughout each course to clarify information, answer questions and facilitate learning.
• Tutors, who are available for drop-in sessions when you could use some one-on-one support, and a writing center that can provide you with feedback on assignments before you pass them in for grading.

If you'd like to get involved with extracurriculars, some schools have an online portal where you can connect with other students, join clubs and participate in activities. Events, including SNHU's annual LEADS conference, allow you to connect with others in the community while also focusing on your personal and professional development.

There are many opportunities to engage in experiential learning, too, no matter your degree program. Experiential learning is a type of learning that allows you to develop and apply your skills in real-world projects. If you're earning a healthcare-related degree at SNHU, for instance, you could participate in the Higher Education and Real World Training (HEaRT) Challenge. During a HEaRT Challenge, you'll learn about a problem an employer is facing and team up with your classmates to propose a solution.

You can also gain career insights and assistance in building your connections and personal brand with the help of an alumni network. At SNHU, you'll find more than 267,000 graduates in the alumni community.

While these supports may not be in place at every school you consider, it’s important to focus on what is meaningful for you — and ensure you select a degree program at a university that has what you need to work toward your goals.

Are Online Classes on Your Own Time?

Online classes that follow an asynchronous learning format do not meet at a defined time each week. Instead, you’ll have the flexibility to do coursework when it makes sense for you within the framework of the course schedule.

For instance, at SNHU, courses in online degree programs are broken out into week-long modules with due dates clearly defined each week. You may choose to complete all assignments for that week within a two-day period or chip away at work throughout the week. Depending on whether you're a night owl or an early bird, you can find the time of day that's most convenient and productive for you.

Robyn Roberts '23, a semi-truck driving great-grandmother, said she completed a majority of her online bachelor's in business administration degree while on the road.

"I pulled into rest areas and stopped and did discussion boards," she said.

How Long is an Online Term?

Term lengths can vary depending on the online school you attend. At SNHU, for example, you can expect the following:

• Undergraduate terms (associate and bachelor's programs): 8 weeks
• Graduate terms (master's programs): 10 weeks

A term start calendar is available so you can see when upcoming terms are scheduled to start and end, allowing you to plan ahead for the year.

Attending classes on campus may tie you to a traditional semester schedule, limiting opportunities to begin a degree program to once or twice per year. Online classes may differ, offering term start dates year-round that allow ample opportunities for you to enroll throughout the calendar year.

Part-time vs. Full-time: How Many Classes Do You Take Per Term?

You might be wondering how many classes you'll be expected to take each term. The answer depends on whether you want to be a part-time or full-time student. At SNHU, you'll take one online class per term as a part-time student. Full-time students take two online classes per term.

If you’re hoping to maximize the number of courses you take each term to move faster to your degree, you may be surprised by how manageable two courses can be.

Part-time and full-time status may vary from school to school, so it's important to ask questions upfront to understand what constitutes full and part-time.

An admission counselor can also help you understand the typical time commitment of each class so you can take that into account as you make a decision.

Some students may choose to switch between full-time and part-time status if they know they have a busier schedule coming up. While this is fine to do from an academic standpoint, be sure to speak with your school's financial services office to understand how your financial aid award might impact your options.

How Many Classes Do You Take in College?

How many classes you take depends mostly on you: whether you’ve already taken courses or not, how much time you can commit to school and which degree you hope to earn.

The number of credits it takes to graduate from college depends on your program:

• Associate degrees: Generally 60 credits (about 20 classes)
• Bachelor’s degrees: Generally 120 credits (about 40 classes)
• Master's degrees: Anywhere from 30-60 credits, depending on the program you choose (about 10-20 classes)

If this isn't your first time attending college, you may be able to transfer credits to your new program, altering your timeline and cost to completion.

Is It Harder to Do Online School?

The best online classes have academic rigor and knowledgeable faculty with expertise in their fields. That winning combination, along with supportive resources and staff, creates a learning environment comparable to what you’d expect in a face-to-face class setting.

That being said, the online learning format just works better for some students. After graduating from high school, Adrian Henares '24 started taking college classes in person — but she said it didn't work out. Soon after, she applied to SNHU's online program.

"The content I have learned — it made more sense to me doing it online because that way I was able to, you know, go at my own pace," Henares said. Approaching classes in her own way, instead of during the scheduled class and exam times that you typically find in person, helped her better understand the subjects she was studying, she said.

Although there were still regular assignment deadlines to meet, Henares was in control of setting her pace and timeline each week. And when she finished her bachelor's in communication program, she traveled to New Hampshire from Maryland to attend her Commencement ceremony.

"I accomplished getting my degree, and I am very proud of it," Henares said.

Some classes may feel easier than others for you based on your interest and comfort level with what’s required of you in a particular course. If writing is something you love and a class is writing-intensive, that course may be one you’ll feel really comfortable in. If a course seems like it may be challenging, it’s important to consider what resources are available to assist you in the areas you feel you need additional help.

For example, some schools offer 24/7 drop-in tutoring sessions as well as access to a writing center. Leveraging these resources can help you turn in your best work.

Knowing what supports are in place for you as a student can turn what might have been a difficult experience into a course you may thrive in.

Success Tips for Online Classes

To do well, it’s important to assess the time you have available for coursework and plan accordingly, leaving yourself some flexibility to pivot as needed if challenges in other areas of your life come your way. Schoolwork may be something entirely new for you, and you could be uncertain about how to maximize your success in a course.

Here are two tips to help:

• Managing your time is essential for your success — and there are time management strategies that can help you tremendously, including prepping well for a project, prioritizing tasks and developing a schedule and sticking to it.
  
  
• Practicing good study habits is another way to boost your learning. Think about how you learn; how you best engage with new information and what sticks and what doesn’t. Be sure to put yourself in an environment where you can best focus and retain information. Ensuring you have ample time to complete your assignments is equally as important. You’ll have a hard time focusing if you’re short on time and feeling stressed — and when you allow yourself the time you need, you’ll have an opportunity to reach out for help should you get stuck on any part of an assignment.

While your experiences or concerns may feel uniquely personal, rest assured that others have been where you are now and had the same desire to earn their degree. No matter where you’re planning to continue your education, the basic ingredients for college success are the same.

Pamme Boutselis ’15, ’17G is an award-winning writer and content producer, currently serving as a senior director of content and a communication adjunct at Southern New Hampshire University. She loves hearing and sharing stories. As a writer spanning a 25-year career, her work has been featured in print and online via news media, career and education-focused blogs, regional magazines, technology publications and more.

A bachelor’s and master’s in communication – earned as an adult learner – positively impacted her life and career, melding decades in diverse industries with professional and academic knowledge and experience. A serial volunteer, Boutselis has been a TEDx organizer since 2013 and a speaker coach. She’s been fortunate to work with dozens of nonprofits throughout the years. Learn more on LinkedIn.