Help CenterHow do I know if I should study full-time or part-time online?
Once you have decided to enroll in online studies, your next step will be to decide if you should study in a full-time or part-time program. We estimate that students should expect to spend 3-5 hours per week on each part-time course, and full-time students should expect to devote 30-40 hours per week to their studies.
In determining which choice is right for you, please consider:
(1) Are you comfortable using and learning new technologies?
- Yes. Great! This will be helpful as an online student and technology may not be a deciding factor for you when choosing full-time or part-time studies.
- Somewhat. Most of our online courses are straightforward and consistent once you get settled. Either full-time or part-time studies could be right for you.
- No. There may be a learning curve, especially as you get started, in order to navigate new systems and understand the expectations. Starting part-time may be a good choice for you.
(2) Have you studied online before?
- Yes. If you have previous online learning experience, you will have a better sense of what to expect as you get started in either full-time or part-time studies. While every course is different, the general skills you learn and require for success should be applicable to your online learning experience.
- No. Reflect on your previous learning experiences as well as your computer skills. If you have had difficulty with time management, organization and self-direction in the past, part-time studies may be a better choice for you.
(3) Will you be working throughout your studies?
- Yes, full-time. We do not encourage students to work and study full-time simultaneously. A great way to get started would be registering for one course to get a sense of the requirements and time commitment, once you have this experience you may consider taking on more in the following semester.
- Yes, part-time. If you are working part-time, you may consider studying either full-time or part-time, however you should consider any other commitments on your time and ensure you have 30-40 hours to devote to your studies if you choose full-time.
- No. If you are not working, full-time studies may be the right choice for you. However, if you have other commitments that will affect your ability to spend 30-40 hours per week on course work, you may find part-time studies works best for you.
(4) Do you have other time constraints such as child-care, regularly scheduled activities, volunteer hours, etc.?
- Yes. You know your schedule best; you may consider either full-time or part-time studies based on how many hours per week you are able to devote to your course work.
- No. Full-time studies may be the right choice for you.
What is the difference between full-time and part-time studies?
The main differences for full-time and part-time students following a program of study are summarized in the chart below.
