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Academics Online Student Experience

Online Student Experience

Find Flexibility & Support

Your time is valuable. So is your online education.

For many online learners, education is a priority—just maybe not the only priority. For you, we have an array of programs that are fully online. You can get an associate's, bachelor's or master's degree, as well as an array of certificates. You need not ever set a foot on campus.

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Ingrid Parker-Hill with the Chancellor at graduation.
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Work toward your goals

UW Teachers

Online courses are taught by our same faculty and instructors who teach in-person.

UW Quality

Our online programs are held to the same accreditation standards as our in-person classes.

Online Programs

UW Cost

Your cost* is a great value whether you enroll in-person or online. Online students can also qualify for financial aid and scholarships

See Costs

*A $25 per credit distance learning fee applies for students taking courses entirely online.

How Online Classes Work

You can take courses online, hybrid or in-person — whichever works best for you. But if you've never taken an online course, you may have questions about how they work and if they'll be a good fit for you. Below are the basics of how online college classes work, from the registration process to the actual classwork.

100% Online

As an online student, you can do everything online. Your application, orientation, advising, enrollment, classes, billing—all can be completed online. Even the math placement exam is online. You never have to set foot on campus.

Online Expectations

Time Commitment

You should expect to spend around 5 to 6 hours per week on each class that you’re taking. Some weeks may be more and some weeks may be less. Depending on the course, you may need to meet online at a certain time, but not all require this.

Canvas by Instructure

Learning Environment

Canvas is the online learning system we use to conduct online classes at UW-Green Bay. You can access Canvas through your web browser or through a mobile app.

About Canvas

Online Assignments

Although each course will look different, your coursework will be delivered electronically. Assignments may include responses to readings or videos, discussion board posts, quizzes and exams. You may also get assigned group work and research projects.

Course Materials

Materials vary by course, so each course will be different. Typically, online class materials include recorded lectures, readings, interactive videos, discussion posts, quizzes and exams. There may also be a required textbook for the course that you can order online.

How to Get Books

Engage Online

Depending on the course, you may have group work. Some groups meet at the same time, using Microsoft TEAMS or another virtual meeting platform. Other groups divide up the work and collaborate asynchronously with email, comments and shared documents.

Need to accelerate?

If time is especially an issue for you, we have some courses and programs available in an accelerated, 7-week format. We offer the following degrees with accelerated courses: Associate of Arts and Sciences, Business: General Emphasis and Organizational Leadership. You can even mix and match 7-week and 14-week classes.

See Accelerated Options
Michael Erb

Online Resources

"At UWGB there are always the resources you need to be successful and I can assure you that the resources...are just as accessible online as they are in person."

Michael Erb ’21
IOT Customers Success Manager, Georgia-Pacific LLC Business Major

Read His Story

Support for You

We might not be in the same room – or even the same state – but we are on your side.

Yes, you're an online student. We have resources for you both on campus and online. You have access to campus facilities like the fitness center, computer labs and the library. Please make note of our parking policy, and know that you may be asked for a student ID. Here are some resources available online.

Student meeting virtually with an instructorStudent studying online with headphones and a laptop in the libraryUWGB Manitowoc student studying onlineStudent getting help from a UWGB librarian

Online FAQs

It's normal to have questions, especially if you're new to taking college classes online. Below are frequently asked questions about online classes at UW-Green Bay.

Q: What if I don't have reliable internet? Can I get a hotspot?

We have a limited number of hot spots that you can request and use on a semesterly basis.

Q: Will the virtual classroom lectures or discussions be recorded?

Whether or not the lectures and discussions are recorded depends on the instructor and the course delivery method, also called modality. A course's modality can be online at a scheduled time (synchronous), online on your own schedule (asynchronous), hybrid or in-person. If you have any questions, you can contact the instructor or your advisor.

Q: How does credit for prior learning work?

Credit for prior learning (CPL) can save you time and money. You can receive college credit for knowledge and skills you may have gained outside the college classroom. Prior learning may come from military service, advanced placement classes, retroactive credits, or other experiences. Typically, you need to take an exam to prove your knowledge and you will be awarded the relevant credits.

For more information, see our Credit for Prior Learning Overview.

Q: Are exams proctored?

It depends on the course. Some need proctoring, either in person or virtually with a camera and software. This will be described in the course syllabus.

Q: Are support offices open outside the normal 8-5 business hours for online students?

Email is generally the best way to get a hold of offices outside the normal business hours.

Q: Do I need to purchase other online systems I will use for the class?

The majority of online courses use software and systems that are already licensed by the University and are included in your usual tuition and fees. There may, however, be some courses that could require you to purchase other software to use for the class (e.g. for certain science or data analytics courses). It depends on the course. Required materials are discussed in the syllabi.

Q: Why is there a distance education fee?

The distance education fee funds the required technology, faculty and staff, and support to offer distance education. For example, this fee goes toward classroom technology to record lectures, online tutoring and other support services. It covers the cost of software needed to teach online.

Have Questions?

If you have questions about becoming an online student, we're here to help. Contact us! We encourage you to set up a virtual meeting with an admissions counselor to learn more.

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