How Do Online Classes Work?
How do online classes work? What are the benefits of online classes? Find the answers to these questions and learn more about online courses from DeVry.
DeVry University is honored to be recognized as one of America's Top Online Colleges by students who have taken courses or earned degrees online in a ranking by Newsweek in partnership with Statista.
With online learning at DeVry you can count on our experienced faculty to provide you with the same hands-on, real-world-focused experience as a traditional on-campus education. Take advantage of our university-wide resources, online tutoring and one-on-one interactions with your professors. Collaborate with fellow students and professors across the country and experience a tech-based education.
Experience the flexibility you need with an online education that fits your life, and be ready for a journey that transforms you.
You’re never too busy to achieve your goals. Our online classes meet you where you are—home, work or on-the-go. Learn more about our flexible options.
DeVry’s online classes are designed to equip you with the resources you need right from the start. Course materials are available to you a week before class even starts. Every class is developed based on standard learning objectives and presented online using a common-sense, accessible framework.
Read more about how online classes work. Have more questions? Check out our online learning FAQ guide.
Learning Experience
The benefits of an online education are more than just the opportunity to earn a degree from your kitchen table. With our flexible online learning platform, you can earn an education from an accredited university1 on your schedule.
Here are some of the benefits you can expect from your online education degree and programs at DeVry and Keller:
Support and care from faculty and staff
An active community of students and alumni
Classes taught by professors who are also experienced in their fields
Curricula built around real-world skills
The opportunity to earn a degree from an accredited university
Learning Experience
for all of your online classes
with instructors and classmates
sharing and Dropbox for assignments
and learning media with visual demonstrations
provides real-time access to tutors who can provide guidance on concepts in assignments2
scheduled and recorded every week in select courses
Online education is any learning that occurs over the internet. Sometimes called e-learning, distance learning or virtual learning, it provides the student with the opportunity to pursue an education anywhere with an internet connection.
As an online student, you’ll interact with professors with valuable real-world experience; take part in an active community of students and alumni; and have access to extracurricular activities like career-relevant club events, competitions, guest speaker presentations and more. DeVry is pleased to offer you the same quality of education students receive on campus, along with the convenience of connecting from your tablet, mobile phone or computer where it is most convenient for you.
The following are five benefits of an online degree program:
Online education degrees are a great option for people who are busy with work, family and life. The quality of online learning can be as good or even better than in-person classroom learning. Both online education and in-person learning have their merits, but online education can be ideal for those students who seek the convenience of studying and attending class from home on their schedules. Online education also encourages students to think deeply and critically and share what they’ve learned with their classmates and professors.
Because DeVry offers so many options for our students to customize their class schedules and course loads to fit their lives, the length of time it takes for someone to earn an online degree can vary. On average, a full-time student may expect to spend 15 to 20 hours a week on coursework. A part-time student can expect to spend less time, depending on course load. To set a schedule that’s right for you, our student support advisors will work with you to put together a plan that fits your life and is designed to help you meet your educational goals.
Yes and no. As an online student, you’ll be learning remotely – whether in the comfort of your own home, at a coffee shop, at work or elsewhere. You’ll likely also study on your own and complete many of your assignments independently.
However, that doesn’t mean that online education consists entirely of independent learning. In fact, at DeVry, all of our online classes are taught by instructors who are experienced in their field of study. You’ll stay connected to your professors and peers through our online platform and become a part of a diverse, vibrant community of people from around the country. From group projects and class discussions to tutoring services and one-on-one support from your professors, you will be highly connected throughout your educational journey.
Tuition is the same for both online and hybrid-format programs, and there may be flexible options to help you pay for your education, as well as federal3, state4 and DeVry scholarships or grants5 available for eligible students. You’ll be able to start earning your online degree at DeVry with a clear financial plan in place. For more detailed information, see our Tuition and Expenses page.
Yes, DeVry offers several stackable programs. Stackable programs allow you to start with a lower-level program, such as an undergraduate certificate or associate degree, and stack your qualifying credits directly into an applicable program, such as a bachelor’s degree at DeVry, when you’re ready to continue your education. This allows you to build your credentials at your own pace, without losing any of your hard work along the way.
For example, when you earn an undergraduate certificate in Programming Essentials, every course you complete in the program applies to an Associate Degree in Information Technology and Networking with a specialization in Information Systems Programming or any specialization of a bachelor’s degree at DeVry in either Computer Information Systems or Software Development.
Yes. DeVry University and our Keller Graduate School of Management are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org, a regional accrediting body that accredits both online and in-person colleges and universities. In addition, DeVry and Keller have numerous program-specific accreditations from relevant accrediting bodies. Earning and maintaining our accreditations are just two of the many ways that we demonstrate our commitment to quality education for our students.
DeVry has agreements in place with multiple community colleges, two-year institutions, technical schools and other schools as well. If you are interested in earning your degree, please contact an admissions representative to schedule a transfer credit evaluation.
Synchronous online education classes are also known as live classes. Everyone logs into the online class at the same time, and the professor delivers a lecture or other instruction in real-time. Many synchronous classes also have an asynchronous component, such as reading assignments or homework projects, that can be completed on your schedule (as long as you meet the due date).
In asynchronous classes, all of the instructional materials, including lectures, are uploaded to the course site. While there are typically deadlines you must meet, you can review all materials and perform all assignments whenever you choose. There is no requirement to log in at a specific time on a certain day.
Both types of instruction have their pros and cons. Synchronous classes offer real-time engagement with your professors and classmates but require you to block out specific times to attend class. Asynchronous classes can be completed on your own time, but do not provide the same type of engagement. At DeVry University, many courses offer both options. Lectures are presented live for those who want to join but are also recorded for those who prefer to review them later.
Explore our recent blogs to learn more about online education and student resources at DeVry.
1Each student is allotted 13 hours of tutoring per academic session through www.Tutor.com (available 24/7). Additional tutoring services are also available through www.DeVryTutors.com.
2DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org. The University's Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation.
3Financial aid is available to those who apply and qualify
4State aid varies based on state for more information visit the State Funded Programs page.
5For full details on DeVry scholarship and grant opportunities, restrictions, and eligibility requirements visit our Scholarships and Grants page.