You're interested in earning a college degree online, but what does that actually look like? Will you need to attend lectures at specific times? Can you fit assignments around your work schedule? How will you connect with professors and classmates?
If you’re new to online college classes, these questions (and more!) are probably bombarding your brain as you consider whether online learning is a good fit for you.
Online classes include many of the same elements as traditional classes — professors, classmates, assignments, and deadlines — but instead of attending class on campus, you'll do your coursework online from home or wherever you're studying.
Cedarville Online offers flexible scheduling with the same academic excellence and biblical worldview that define a residential Cedarville education.
We asked Mindy Dickey, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Online Programs, and Megan Riebel, Senior Admissions Counselor for Online Programs, to explain how Cedarville's online classes work and what students should expect.
How Do You Go to Class Online?
Students access their classes on Cedarville’s learning management system, Canvas. Students are given access to their Canvas platform before their courses begin, allowing them to become comfortable with the system. Canvas is very intuitive to navigate and makes connecting with professors easy.
Think of Canvas as your virtual classroom. It's where you'll find course materials, check due dates, participate in course discussions, turn in your assignments, and communicate with your professors and classmates.
Do Online College Classes Meet at Specific Times?
Online colleges generally offer two types of classes:
- Synchronous classes: Students attend live online sessions at scheduled times.
- Asynchronous classes: Students access course materials and complete assignments on their own schedules within established deadlines.
All Cedarville Online classes are asynchronous.
This means that students are able to complete their assignments at any time of the day, allowing for busy schedules, work obligations, and participating in ministry opportunities.
You won't need to rearrange your workday or family schedule to attend a live lecture at a specific time. You can study early in the morning, after work, or whenever you have time.
For students balancing college with jobs, family responsibilities, or ministry commitments, that flexibility makes a big difference!
Are Online College Classes Self-Paced?
Not exactly. Although you can choose when to complete your coursework, you'll still follow a course schedule and meet assignment deadlines. Your professor will establish due dates, and you'll need to plan your week accordingly.
As Megan Riebel explains, “Students still need to keep an eye on due dates to ensure that their assignments are completed in a timely manner, but they have the freedom to manage their time to fit their schedule.”
That freedom comes with responsibility. You'll need to monitor deadlines and complete assignments on time.
For example, you might complete your readings on Monday evening, work on a project Wednesday afternoon, and submit your assignment over the weekend — provided you meet the deadlines.
What Kinds of Assignments Will You Complete in an Online Class?
Online learning involves more than watching videos and taking quizzes.
Cedarville's full-time faculty design courses around the subjects they teach, choosing assignments and activities that help students understand and apply what they're learning, and each course is tailor-made to fit the needs of each subject.
Depending on your course, you might complete:
- Online discussions with classmates
- Quizzes and assessments
- Written assignments and research papers
- Individual and group projects
- Virtual presentations
Your assignments and learning activities will vary from course to course depending on what you're studying, but whatever the subject, you'll have opportunities to engage with the material and demonstrate what you've learned.
How Will You Interact With Your Professors and Classmates?
As a Cedarville Online student, you’ll be able to talk with professors, share ideas with classmates, and build relationships throughout your courses.
Connecting With Your Professors
You can reach your professors through email, Canvas messages, and video meetings.
Have a question about an assignment? Need help understanding a concept? You can contact your professor directly. Cedarville’s professors are eager to help students learn and answer their questions.
Learning Alongside Your Classmates
You'll connect with classmates through Canvas discussions and collaborative assignments. Depending on the course, you may work together on group projects or respond to one another's ideas.
Cedarville also gives online students access to the Cedarville Online Orientation Portal in Canvas, where they can connect with other online students, find helpful resources, and get to know the Cedarville Online team.
The portal helps you connect with the University community beyond your individual classes.
What Will Your Professors Expect From You?
Online learning gives you greater control over your schedule, but it also puts more responsibility on you to manage your time and stay engaged.
Cedarville faculty hold online students to the same standards of academic excellence as students on campus. They expect you to thoroughly participate in the course, turn assignments in on time, and interact as needed throughout the course.
As Megan Riebel explains, success in Cedarville Online courses includes "time management skills, excellence in effort, and timely submissions."
Participate Actively
Engage with the material, take part in discussions, and participate fully in group projects. Don't just log into Canvas and complete the minimum requirements. You get out of it what you put in!
Keep Track of Deadlines
Your professors will provide a syllabus, assignment schedule, announcements, and reminders. Use those resources to plan your work and submit assignments on time.
Communicate With Your Professors
Don't wait to ask for help. If an assignment is unclear or you're struggling with the material, let your professor know.
Put Forth Your Best Effort
Treat your online work as seriously as you would a class on campus. Give assignments your best effort and follow through on your commitments.
Want to prepare for your first course? Explore these tips for succeeding in online classes to develop strong study habits and make the most of your online learning experience.
How Much Time Should You Expect To Spend on an Online College Class?
Online classes may offer flexibility, but they still require a significant investment of your time.
How much time you’ll need to spend each week will depend on which course(s) you’re taking and the assignments involved. And if you're balancing school with work or family, the amount of time you can devote to studying may change from week to week.
At Cedarville, many online courses are three (3) credits and run for eight (8) weeks. That means you'll complete the coursework in a shorter period than a traditional 16-week semester.
Cedarville offers three term formats:
| Term | Length |
|---|---|
| A Term | First eight weeks of the semester |
| B Term | Second eight weeks of the semester |
| C Term | Full 16-week semester, primarily general education courses |
When you plan your semester, look at your degree requirements and which courses are available in each term. Depending on your degree requirements and course availability, you can build a schedule that accommodates your other commitments.
Dickey and Riebel stress the importance of time management, especially in accelerated courses. An eight-week class covers material in less time than a traditional semester.
Remember: Flexible scheduling doesn't mean less coursework. It means you have more freedom to decide when you'll complete it.
You can learn more about Cedarville's online undergraduate course format and student support, including what to expect as you plan your degree.
What Makes an Online Class at Cedarville Different?
Cedarville Online makes an academically excellent, biblically faithful Cedarville education available to students who can't attend classes on campus. In addition to receiving digital course content; students have opportunities for academic growth, valuable interaction, and spiritual development.
The online courses are developed by Cedarville's residential faculty, who bring their subject matter expertise, academic expectations, and biblical worldview to their online teaching. Cedarville also seeks faculty and adjunct instructors who care about students as individuals, not just their academic performance.
You're Part of the Cedarville Community
Cedarville is YOUR school!
Your online courses are an important part of your Cedarville experience, but they don't have to be the only part.
You don't have to live on campus to participate in University life. If you live close enough to visit campus, consider attending events such as Fall Bible Conference, GO Conference, or Homecoming. You can also explore opportunities to participate in GO mission trips and other student life activities.
Even if you can't visit campus, you can participate in Cedarville's daily chapel through its online livestream and hear biblical teaching alongside the residential community.
And wherever you live, the Cedarville Online Orientation Portal helps you stay connected with fellow online students and the Cedarville Online team.
Ready To Experience Online Learning at Cedarville?
Online classes allow you to work toward a degree while keeping up with work, family, and other commitments. You'll still have deadlines, assignments, and plenty to learn, so plan time for your courses each week.
Whether you're earning your first degree or advancing your education, Cedarville offers a growing selection of undergraduate and graduate online programs that combine flexible learning with academic excellence and a biblical worldview.
At Cedarville, you'll learn through courses designed by University faculty, connect with professors who care about your success, and study from a biblical worldview.
Ready to see where online learning could take you?
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