How long will it take to earn my degree?
Most online students take one to two classes per semester. To complete a master’s degree online, students typically take two to three years. To complete a bachelor’s degree online, students may take longer since universities require more credit hours for undergraduate degrees.
The time to complete a degree depends on financial aid requirements, family commitments, total credit hours required for your degree, the workload at your job, and unexpected life events.
We have included the average time to complete in the "Program Summary" box of each program page for our human sciences degrees.
Is it possible to work full time while earning a degree through IDEA?
Yes, many of our students balance work, school, family, and fun. Hear from IDEA Students about working while taking online college courses.
You can also visit our Student Success Center for advice on how to manage your time, fine-tune your study skills, and much more.
Many students choose IDEA because it offers the flexibility to learn while working full-time. Hear from two graduates, Axton Betz-Hamilton and Kyle Roberson, on how online courses allowed them to balance work, life, and their education.
What happens if I need to take a break from the program? Can I resume at a later date?
Some students do take a break for a variety of reasons. Visit with your campus coordinator or academic advisor to learn how a stop-out works at your home university.
When do I need to be online for class?
Nearly all our courses are asynchronous, so you won’t need to be online each week on a specific day and time. While you can complete coursework when it’s convenient for you, a course is rarely self-paced as instructors usually set weekly deadlines. It is your responsibility to fit schoolwork into your schedule. Review the course schedule each week and note all due dates. While opportunities to work ahead might occur, you may not have access to the entire course at once. Instructors often group material into one or two-week modules, making coursework available one module at a time.
Listen as Morgan Holloman, a student in the community development program, explains how the flexibility of this program is perfect for working professionals. The ability to complete coursework at her own pace and on her own time has made it user-friendly and eased her anxiety about returning to school for a master’s degree.
Who are the typical students in IDEA programs?
IDEA students are people like you who want a high-quality education. They may be professionals advancing their careers to the next level. They may be recent graduates earning a master’s degree or certificate while working full-time. They may be people who have been away from school or the workforce who want to upskill or change careers. Some students are in the military and also taking classes. Some are spouses of military service members and need degree programs they can complete anytime, anywhere.
In this video, instructor Yuya Kiuchi explains how he helps students in his classes get to know each other.
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