Online University Canada

Distance learning is becoming more and more popular for college students. Several online universities offer various degrees for all types of students. There are even online universities that offer degrees for individuals in other countries. Many online universities offer Canadian degrees. Some of the most popular online university Canada schools include:

•     Athabasca University
•     Canadian Virtual University
•     Cape Breton University
•     Memorial University
•     Nipissing University
•     St. Francis Xavier University
•     University of Manitoba
•     Thompson Rivers University
•     University of Phoenix in Vancouver

Online universities offer students a unique opportunity to earn their degree from the comfort of their home, without worrying about making daily or weekly trips to a college campus. Students seeking to study at a Canadian university will need to apply for study permits. International students must obtain a study permit and an international visa if they want to attend one of the Canadian universities. Since the interest in Canadian universities has increased, several schools began offering online classes. Now, students in the United States can obtain a degree through a Canadian university without leaving the country.

The University of Phoenix in Vancouver
One of the largest online universities is the University of Phoenix. The University of Phoenix in Vancouver functions like the online universities based in the United States however they do not offer as many online degrees. The University of Phoenix in Vancouver has a large campus that offers degrees in business, management, education, and technology. If you enroll in online classes through the University of Phoenix in Vancouver, you will have the opportunity to attend the campus for social events or for classes. Generally the class sizes are small and the instructors have extensive knowledge on the subject they are teaching. The University of Phoenix prides itself on hiring instructors that have a master's degree or higher. The University of Phoenix in Vancouver is accredited with the Private Career Training Institutions Agency of British Columbia. The University of Phoenix in Vancouver offers bachelor's degree's in business, master's degrees in education, and MBA's.

Athabasca University
Athabasca University is Canada's leading distance learning online university and is one of Canada's Open Universities. An open university is able to accommodate students with a number of things by breaking down the common barriers like accessibility, affordability, and transferring credits. Athabasca University allows students to access their courses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The fees to attend Athabasca University are among the lowest in Canada and they include the cost of books and other needed materials students must have in order to pass the course. Athabasca University offers university certificates, diplomas, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees. Athabasca University has 37,000 online and traditional students. There are about 260,000 students registered for online classes.

Similar to University of Phoenix, Athabasca University recognized that working students wanted to obtain their education, but were unable to attend the traditional classes. Athabasca University allowed working students the opportunity to obtain their degree regardless of where they lived. The distance learning courses offered by Athabasca University allows students the ability to learn at their own pace without having limitations on class times and schedules. Students have the opportunity to enroll year-round, which means they can enroll in school during the middle of a semester and they do not have to wait for the start of a new semester.

The distance learning classes offer students CD-ROMS, videotapes, audiocassettes, study guides, textbooks, and student manuals. Students are not limited to traditional learning structure and they can pursue their studies part-time or full-time. One of the unique opportunities from Athabasca University is that anyone, age 16 and older, can apply for admission to the University.

Thompson Rivers University
Another great online university in Canada is Thompson Rivers University. Thompson Rivers University is an undergraduate university that offers over 50 degree options to students. They also offer certificate programs and allow students to transfer credits from other schools. Some of the programs they offer include journalism, adventure tourism, natural resource science, fine arts, applied computing science, animal health technology, and electronics.

Similar to Athabasca University, Thompson Rivers University is an Open University. Students have the ability to enroll in courses at any time, and they do not have to wait for the beginning of a semester to start their studies. Thompson Rivers University does offer online degrees, but students are required to attend the University for testing and to complete some of the courses for their degree. Their online courses are protected by a secured server and are set up by individuals using the passwords given by the University. Thompson Rivers University is widely respected in Canada and offers access to their online course information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Thompson Rivers University offers financial aid services to qualified students and they offer various scholarships for students. Several students apply for loans or grants when they attend Thompson Rivers University. If you have a question about the tuition rates, you must speak with a guidance counselor from the University. The guidance counselors will also be able to provide you with financial aid applications or loan applications.

Online Learning
When students are seeking an online university, they need to find one that is accredited. The University of Phoenix in Vancouver and Athabasca University offer accredited degrees. Accreditation is important to anyone that is pursuing their degree online because it measures the quality of the degree and holds it to higher standards. Employers are skeptical about online degrees, but earning an online degree from an accredited university will eliminate the employer's skepticism.

Online learning is different from traditional learning; however the material is the same. Students attending the actual classes will be taught the same thing as those students studying the material from home and participating in the course online. Athabasca University and the University of Phoenix in Vancouver both offer relevant degrees to students that will help them in the job field. The large benefit to online universities is that students can pursue their degree no matter where they live. Students in Canada can study at the University of Phoenix and students in the United States can study at Athabasca University online.

In order to pursue your degree online, you must have access to a computer with high-speed internet. Since classes often require students to download PDF files and other materials, it is important to obtain a computer that has a good amount of memory. Online universities recommend that students find a quiet office or a quiet area in their home where they can work on their class work. Since most students participating in online classes spend 16-20 hours in front of the computer each week, it is important to inform everyone else in your home that you need a quiet environment.

Online instructors are available through email, web chat, and discussion boards. The online universities in Canada function like the ones in the United States and recommend that students log-in on a daily basis to check on the material posted by the instructor. Athabasca University allows students to set their own schedules that will help them complete their degree. When students enroll with Athabasca University, they will be contacted by an enrollment counselor. The counselor will lay-out a schedule for the student that informs them how long it will take to complete their degree. Several students often obtain loans or grants to pay for their schooling. Most online universities offer scholarships for students and they can even help them find funding for their online degree.

Typically online degrees take about 2-3 years to complete. Athabasca University and the University of Phoenix in Vancouver recommend that students pace themselves when they are obtaining their degree. Some students need to complete their degree quicker because they need it to sustain their current job or advance into a new job. Most online universities allow students to take up to 4 courses per semester. The University of Phoenix in Vancouver offers courses for 6 weeks at a time. Students typically take 2 to 3 courses for each 6 week time block. For each credit hour, students need to spend 2-4 hours outside of class studying the material if they want to pass the course.

Instructors are in charge of setting up the course curriculum that students will follow. Each course will vary depending upon the instructor and the course material. Students should log-in to download the course curriculum and to keep up-to-date with information posted by the instructor. One of the requirements to pass the online classes is for students to participate in group projects and online discussion boards. The instructor will post questions periodically throughout the week and students must respond to the instructors question as well as comment on responses from other students. The best way to pass an online course is to participate in everything. Make yourself known to the professor and to other students. The more a student participates in a daily basis with the online class, the easier it will be for them to pass. Online classes are just as difficult as attending the class in person, it is important to plan enough time to study the material and respond to the discussion questions.