Study online

Did you know you can complete many of our programs completely online?Our online programs provide flexibility, and allow you to study when it works for your schedule.

The following programs can be completed entirely online:

Accounting*+
Addiction Education*
Applied Clinical Research
Business Administration*+
Business of Golf & Resort Management
Canadian Payroll Management*+
Canadian Health Care Certificate
Creative, Critical & Design Thinking
Digital Marketing
Foundations in Canadian Health
Health Informatics
Health Information Management
Health Introductory Courses
Health Information Systems
Human Resources Management*+
Marketing*
Metallurgy of Iron & Steel
Pathophysiology & Epidemiology
Risk Management*
Web Design

* Courses in these programs are also offered in person. Programs may be completed by combining formats.

+ Courses in these programs may require a final proctored exam. Students have the option of writing at McMaster University or at a university or college in their area.

Online Formats

Online Self-study (OSS)

• You should expect to allocate approximately nine to twelve hours per week to complete your work, but you don’t need to log on at a specific time.


• Assignments are due on specified dates throughout the course duration.


• Online courses comprise of a series of mandatory assignments, research papers or case studies valued at 40% of the final mark, as well as a comprehensive final examination worth 60% of the final mark.


• Final examinations are in-person proctored exams. Students have the option of writing at McMaster University or at a university or college in their area.


• Courses are designed for you to learn at your own pace without having to be online at a specific time.


• Courses use McMaster’s online learning management system called Avenue to Learn (A2L) to access course materials, including course notes, instructional videos and electronic readings, practice exercises/problems, formal hand-in assignments, and other course resources. Most courses make use of discussion boards, so as to provide opportunities for peer-to-peer dialogue, group dialogue and instructor-to-group/student communication. A2L is also used for assignment submission and feedback. A2L is web-based and can be accessed from any internet connection.


• You have access to a facilitator to support your learning, as required. The facilitator marks all assignments and provides feedback where needed.


• Courses are made “live” in A2L 3 days prior to course start date. A pre-course email with information on the course, course materials, etc. will be sent approximately one week before the course start date.


• (ACC courses) Students have up to five (5) months to complete an online self-study course, but can work ahead of schedule to complete a course at a faster pace.

Considerations for Online Self-study (OSS)

• You are able to work independently.


• You can keep yourself on task to complete a project.


• You are able to learn with little, if any, peer discussions.


• You are able to commit to nine to twelve hours per week for course readings, exercises, case studies, assignments, etc.


• You are able to read the textbook (and the assignments) on your own and work through the concepts.


• You are comfortable asking for clarification when needed and expressing yourself in written form through email or a discussion board.


• You have a quiet place to complete your work.


• You are comfortable using technology.


• You have access to a computer and the internet.

Online Format (O)

• Teaching methods include weekly readings, facilitated discussion boards, videos, narrated PowerPoint slides, group and individual projects/assignments. You will be interacting with your classmates and your instructor each week.


• You should expect to allocate approximately six to eight hours per week to complete your work but you don’t need to log on at a specific time.


• A pre-course email with information on the course, course materials, etc. will be sent approximately one week before the course start date.


• Courses are made “live” in A2L 3 days prior to course start date.

Considerations for Taking an Online Course (O)

• You are good at keeping yourself on task to complete a project.


• You are comfortable asking for clarification when needed and expressing yourself in written form through email or a discussion board.


• You are able to read the textbook (and the assignments) on your own and understand the concepts.


• You are able to work independently.You have a quiet place to complete your work.


• You are comfortable using technology.

Source: http://docphy.com/business-industry/higher-education/study-online.html