Skip to content

About UOnline

Juggling school, work, family, and social obligations can be challenging. With UOnline, you can get the degree you need on the schedule you want.


The Strength of the University of Utah

As a UOnline student, you have the whole university behind you, with access to advisors and libraries and more.

Founded in 1850, the University of Utah ranks as one of the top 70 research universities in the world. As a preeminent research and teaching university with national and global reach, we provide unique opportunities for educational, personal and professional growth.

Imagine, Then Do - Imagine U

more about the u 


Comparing UOnline and On-Campus Programs

What They Have in Common

Accreditation

UOnline and on-campus programs share the same accreditation.

Faculty & Instructors

Classes are taught by the same faculty and instructors as on-campus courses.

Connection

You can still ask questions and build connections with classmates and faculty.

Degree

A UOnline degree is a University of Utah degree. Transcripts do not indicate whether the degree was completed online or in-person.

Success Coaches

UOnline program students have access to coaches who understand the unique challenges online students face.
  


How They Are Different

UOnline Tuition

The Utah resident and non-resident tuition* is the same for all undergraduate programs and most graduate programs.


*Tuition and fees vary by program and may increase every academic year.

On-Campus Tuition

Tuition is based on residency classification. Standard rates are higher for non-Utah residents. 

UOnline Courses

UOnline students may only register for online courses. Space in the class is reserved for UOnline students.

On-Campus and
Online Courses

On-campus students can take both on-campus and online courses. However, on-campus students taking online classes will pay the standard tuition rate based on residency classification- not the UOnline program tuition rate.

UOnline Student Services

UOnline students have virtual access to university student services, including program advisors, the Career & Professional Development Center, the Graduate Writing Center, online library services, IT support, and more.

On-Campus UCard (Student ID)

On-campus students receive a UCard, which includes these benefits:
  • UTA pass (Trax/bus pass)
  • Access to the Student Life Center
  • Free admission to athletic events
  • Access to ASUU events

UOnline students are not eligible for these fee-supported services even if they obtain a UCard.

 


Frequently Asked Questions

  • Prospective students: UOnline Programs are approved for delivery to residents in all U.S. states and territories. Check our State Authorization page for details. For prospective students outside the United States (including U.S. citizens), please check with your program of interest to learn if they will be approved to accept students from the country you will be residing in at the time you wish to enroll. At this time, only the Master of Business Creation Global Program can accept students from Canada (Ontario), Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
    • F-1 International Students: F-1 International students residing in the United States are subject to Department of Homeland Security regulations related to enrollment in online programs. Current University of Utah F-1 students should inquire with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) prior to enrolling in any UOnline program. Such enrollment may negatively impact maintenance of lawful status.
  • Current main campus students: Students who would like to pursue one or more UOnline Programs should talk to their academic advisor. The deadline to request the change is June 30 to start in the subsequent fall semester or November 15 to start in the subsequent spring semester.   

Online learning takes self-discipline and careful attention to time management and deadlines. UOnline students are responsible for making sure they keep up with course requirements, assignments and exams. While many online classes involve group projects and students often form virtual study groups, the majority of studying, reading, lecture review, and assignments will be done independently. Please review our Online Readiness Assessment for more items to consider while weighing the pros and cons of online learning.

Our student success team and program advisors are happy to discuss the expectations of online learning, resources and how students can prepare, so please contact us if you have questions!

The U welcomes UOnline Program students to access any of our campus-based support services or to connect with us via virtual appointments. UOnline Program students are not eligible to use these select fee-supported services: UTA (bus/trax) transit pass, Student Life Center, student free-admission game days, and ASUU social events that require a UCard for access.  Please explore our Current Student Resources page for more information.

Declared UOnline Programs students are only able to register for UOnline courses (sections 290, 291, etc.).  They do not have the option to register for main campus courses, including those delivered asynchronously online.

Online courses follow the regular semester schedule, just like our on-campus classes. They start the first day of the semester and end 16 weeks (fall and spring) or 12 weeks (summer) later.  These courses follow the Office of the Registrar's academic calendars dates and deadlines.

These courses are not like an independent study program where students can take 9-12 months to complete the requirements or accelerate through classes as they grasp the material. Students are responsible for completing exams, readings, online discussion postings, and group projects within specific timeframes. All coursework and its corresponding timeframe are outlined in the syllabus that is accessed through Canvas once the semester starts.

Students are given a choice for how to take proctored exams. Students may be able to opt for virtual proctoring using their webcam and computer in their own home. To schedule a test or find out more about virtual testing options, visit the exam services webpage. A small fee may be charged for access to these services. An online course could have 2-3 proctored exams per semester, on average. The course syllabus should provide specific conditions and instructions for exams.

Yes! Our advisors are familiar with working with students who are not located near campus and offer phone call or virtual video appointments. Undergraduate students can find their advisor's contact information through the departmental advising page while graduate students can find their advisor’s contact information on their program's page.

Undergraduate students apply through the Office of Admissions' undergraduate application system. UOnline Program students indicate they intend to take all of their courses online to complete their degree, and must select and pursue a Bachelors of Science degree from our approved UOnline Programs. Click on 'apply now' and read through the 'Undergraduate Students' information to begin your admissions application.*

Apply Now

*The Bachelors of Science Nursing (BSN) and Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) programs are closed majors and require specific admissions criteria and a separate application for the major. BSN and BSW have their respective program admissions dates and deadlines. Applicants may not be in a position to apply simultaneously to the University and to the program, but can apply to these majors at a later term.

Each graduate program has their respective admissions criteria and program applications. Please note that program application deadlines vary and admission into any graduate program requires an application to both the University of Utah and the specific program; for those applying to more than one program, admission to one does not guarantee admissions to the other. For detailed information, explore UOnline Programs.

Yes. Applicants must submit transcripts from every regionally accredited institution they have previously attended, even if it was for just one course, even if the course was taken in high school (concurrent enrollment, etc.), and/or even if a course(s) from one institution shows up on another institution's transcript. Applicants must also have official transcripts sent from the institution to our Office of Admissions directly. Applicants cannot submit transcripts already in their possession.*

*The exception is if an applicant has an official transcript sealed in the original envelope from the university/college they attended. In this case, the applicant can hand deliver or mail (by placing the original sealed envelope in another envelope) the sealed official transcript to our Office of Admissions.

For graduate applicants who completed classes or earned a degree from the University of Utah, you will need to submit your official University of Utah transcripts with your application.  Failing to include all transcripts with your graduate program application by that program’s deadline may disqualify you from consideration.  Please plan ahead to avoid delays.

If transferring as an undergraduate, courses taken at regionally accredited institutions may transfer to the U, however all credits may not transfer. This can be the case for preparatory classes, vocational classes, and religion classes from faith-based institutions. As part of the application process, applicants must submit official transcripts for all regionally accredited institutions attended. If an applicant completed concurrent enrollment credits while in high school, they must submit an official transcript for the college/university, not for the high school, in order for those credits to be evaluated. Please visit the Academic Advising Center's Transfer your Credits page to learn more about how courses transfer.

If transferring as a graduate student, if the applicant has previously taken graduate courses and those credits have not been applied towards an awarded degree or certificate, and the courses are relevant to the program they may be accepted as transfer credit.  Speak with the program's academic advisor about the possibility of getting them transferred. Generally, no more than 6 to 9 transfer credits may be considered. The graduate program has full discretion to determine what and how many transfer credits can transfer.

For undergraduate applicants, applications submitted with all the required documentation after the final deadline will be processed and considered on a space-available basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as the University could close applications without notice after the final deadline.

For graduate students, graduate programs typically do not accept late applications. Applicants should connect directly with the UOnline Program they're interested in to determine whether late applications are accepted and the late application deadline. Expect to pay a late application fee if the program accepts late applications.

Newly admitted undergraduate students: Once students are admitted to the University, they need to accept admission and pay the $300 nonrefundable enrollment deposit, complete the UOnline new student orientation (NSO), and meet with an academic advisor before being able register for undergraduate classes. NSO teaches students how to register for courses, and advisors will help students select the appropriate courses to build out their schedule. 

Continuing undergraduate students: At the University, continuing students are assigned a date and time to register for courses, and it can be looked up through a student's CIS account via the Registration tile. Each semester, we recommend students refer to the university's academic calendars to determine when their registration date will go live in order to prepare to register on their assigned date. Additionally, students should also refer to the UOnline Programs class schedules (bottom left quadrant of webpage), review their Degree Audit and consult with their academic advisor to ensure they are on track with their program and degree requirements.

Graduate students: Each program informs its students on how registration occurs each semester. For example, some programs register students after they've verified final grades, while others might have students register starting on a specific date. Whatever the case may be, students must ensure early in each registration cycle that they have cleared any holds that may prevent them from registering.

For undergraduate students, UOnline students typically qualify for the same types of federal financial aid as on-campus students and may qualify for some academic department scholarships. Unless otherwise indicated by the agency, private scholarships may also apply towards UOnline tuition. Undergraduate UOnline students do not qualify for university-administered scholarships, such as first-year, merit, transfer, and the like.  For more information, visit the Financial Aid website.

Regarding graduate students, there are different types of financial aid for most graduate programs, including federal aid, department scholarships, tuition benefit positions (i.e., graduate teaching assistant), fellowships and awards. Not all funding opportunities can be applied to all UOnline graduate programs, so it is best to connect with the program to discuss options.

Yes! Eligible students can use their VA benefits. Our Veterans Support Center can help answer questions regarding benefits that may be available.

For undergraduate students, learn more about the general education and bachelor's degree requirements (PDF). Talk to your advisor about the requirements for your academic program(s).

For graduate students, each program has its own graduation requirements.  You can learn more about those requirements on the graduate program page or by reaching out to the department contact at the bottom right of the program page.

There are two change deadlines per year to switch between main campus and UOnline.  The deadline to change campuses for spring semester is November 15.  The deadline to switch for the fall semester is June 30.  Please note that students can only change their campus twice during their time at the U.

  • If applicable, first meet with a financial aid counselor to learn what impact the switch may have on your aid.
  • To change your student status to UOnline meet with the major advisor for the program you wish to pursue or are pursuing. You can find their contact information on the undergraduate UOnline webpage for each program. The major advisor will assist you in submitting your request to the Office of the Registrar.

Making the switch means you cannot pursue an additional credential or major not available through UOnline. This also means you cannot register for any main campus courses (even those taught asynchronously online).

Please feel free to email us with any questions you might have.

UOnline graduate programs and graduate certificates:  Yes. These programs are eligible for the tuition reduction benefit. Please visit Human Resource’s Tuition Reduction webpage to verify whether your employment status meets the eligibility requirements. For specific questions about your eligibility, please contact the Human Resources Benefits Department at benefits@utah.edu.  

UOnline undergraduate programs: In some situations, UOnline undergraduate programs may qualify for tuition reduction. Please contact us at uonline@utah.edu for more information. Students in the Nursing RN-BS Program do not qualify for employee tuition reduction in any situation.

 

 

Last Updated: 12/13/24