Please be aware of temporary traffic and utility impacts on Lawson Street from Thursday, January 22 to Friday, January 23rd.
Online Learning Frequently Asked Questions
- The difference between "credit" and "non-credit" online classes
With credit online classes, students can earn college credit toward one of Durham Tech's degree, diploma, or certificate programs. Credit online classes begin and end according to the academic calendar. Some credit online courses are transferable to four-year colleges and universities.
Noncredit online classes, offered through the college's Continuing Education department, provide a wide range of opportunities to advance your career, to prepare for entering or re-entering the work force, or to learn something new. There are online and hybrid programs that allow students to earn a credential in health fields, such as Medical Coding or Nursing Assistant.
- How is a hybrid class different from an online class?
A hybrid class combines classroom learning with online learning. Unlike a fully online class, hybrid classes require regular, weekly class attendance on campus.
In a hybrid course, a significant portion of the class learning activities are online, which reduces the amount of time spent in a traditional, face-to-face classroom. However, for a hybrid class, students are also required to attend weekly class meetings at the days, times, and locations listed in the class schedule.
- If I take an online class, will I have to come to campus?
Prior to registering, you will likely have to come to campus to meet with an advisor. For details, see the Advising section.
Some online classes require attendance at an on-campus class orientation at the start of the semester. For other online classes, the orientation is done online. To find out whether your class has an on-campus orientation session, see the Orientation page.
Some online classes require students to come to campus up to two times in order to take tests and/or the final exam. If you live out of the area, you can arrange to take these tests at a local college. To determine if this is the case for a given section, click on the section in Self-Service and look at the pop-up window that is entitled, “Section Details”. If there is a field called “Additional Information” that says in-person tests are required, you will be required to come to campus to take these tests.
Other than the exceptions outlined above, the classes will take place online and can be done from anywhere you have internet access.
- Do I have to be online at a certain day or time?
Most online courses do not require you to be online at a specific day or time. However, you are required to "keep up" with the weekly class schedule and to complete assignments before the due dates. For most online classes, you can choose the time of day or night you want to log on to work on an assignment, but you must complete it and "turn it in" by the specified date and time.
- What classes are offered online?
Search in the courses section for the list of online courses offered each semester.
- How much do online classes cost?
Online courses cost the same as classroom-based courses. For details, see Tuition and Fees.