Online learning isn't easier than on-campus learning - it's flexible. You'll cover the same material as on-campus students, with the same faculty, but on a schedule that fits your life. That flexibility takes self-discipline and good time management. This page is here to help you decide if online is the right fit for you, before you apply.
What online learning actually is
At Cal State Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, online means coursework delivered through Canvas (our learning management system). Most courses are asynchronous: you watch lectures, read materials, complete assignments, and join discussions on your own schedule within weekly deadlines. Some courses include synchronous elements - live Zoom sessions, virtual office hours, or scheduled exams.
Online programs require the same number of credit hours as on-campus programs. A 3-unit course expects 12 to 15 hours of work per week. A full-time online schedule (12+ units) is roughly 40 hours per week of focused study.
Who tends to thrive online
Working adults
Need a flexible schedule, can carve out evenings/weekends, want a degree without quitting their job.
Transfer students
Returning to school after time away. Comfortable with self-direction. Bringing transferable units.
Self-motivated learners
Manage their own time well. Don't need external pressure to start working. Take initiative when stuck.
Tech-comfortable
Comfortable using email, browsers, video calls, document editors. Willing to ask for help when something breaks.
What you'll need
- A laptop or desktop computer (not just a phone or tablet) with a current browser.
- Reliable internet - cable, fiber, or solid mobile broadband.
- A webcam and microphone for occasional Zoom meetings.
- A consistent place to study, ideally with low distractions.
- 12 to 15 hours per week of focused time per 3-unit course.
A 5-question self-check
If you can honestly answer "yes" to most of these, you're well-suited to online learning at CSUEB:
- Can you set your own deadlines and stick to them without external pressure?
- Are you comfortable emailing or messaging an instructor when you're stuck?
- Can you read and write at the college level in English?
- Can you carve out 12 to 15 hours per week per course in your real schedule?
- Do you have backup options if your internet or computer fails (a friend's house, a library, a mobile hotspot)?
Mostly "no"? Online may not be the best fit right now. Mix of yes and no? Consider a hybrid program - blends online flexibility with select on-campus or synchronous sessions.
A typical week online
In most online courses, the week unfolds like this: Monday brings new content (readings, recorded lectures); midweek you complete activities or contribute to discussions; assignments are due Sunday night.
Many students set aside specific blocks of time - say, two evenings and a Saturday morning - and treat those as protected study time. Some take on the occasional 5am Saturday session before kids wake up. Whatever fits your life. The key is consistency: 12-15 hours every week, not 30 hours one week and 0 the next.
Online learning myths
Myth: "Online is easier than in-person."
The material is the same. The flexibility shifts the work to YOUR schedule, but the work is the same. Many students find online HARDER because there's no classroom rhythm to pull them through.
Myth: "I won't have access to professors."
You'll have email, Canvas messaging, and Zoom office hours with every instructor. Most professors actually respond faster online than in person because the channels are direct.
Myth: "Online degrees aren't taken as seriously."
Your CSUEB diploma doesn't say "online" on it. The degree, accreditation, and credit hours are the same as on-campus. Employers care about the institution, not the modality.
Next steps
