Robert Morris University Online was created for nontraditional students at RMU, in direct response to the needs of a growing number of working adults and students who either live a great distance from the University or have little free time to spend in a classroom.

In fact, RMU believes so strongly in the importance of technology that all School of Adult and Continuing Education (SACE) courses have an online component - though they vary in intensity.

How Do Online Programs Work?
By utilizing the power of the Internet, you can participate in courses online at your convenience. The online format offers the freedom and flexibility to complete course requirements as your schedule permits. An undergraduate degree program can be completed in four years. If you have transfer, portfolio or CLEP credits, you may finish in even less time.

In online programs, time spent in class is minimal. For example, some partially online (or hybrid) classes meet only two hours per week. Fully online classes do not meet at all.

Though online courses vary, some of the things that you'll do online include participating in "threaded discussions," which are completed whenever you have the chance to log on, doing research via the Web, writing journal entries, viewing PowerPoint presentations or getting lectures from instructors.

If you're enrolled in online classes, you'll have access to all Robert Morris University student services, including enrollment counseling, Freedom Card usage, libraries, student financial services, financial aid counseling and more. If you're enrolled in four online classes in one term, you'll even qualify for financial aid as a full-time student.

Visit our online campus at rmu.blackboard.com and try a sample course.

Technical Requirements
To enroll in online courses, you must have the following:

1. Access to a computer

   To access the Blackboard system, the following minimum system profiles are required:

   PC Platform
   Windows ME or 2000
   128 MB RAM
   56Kbps modem

   Apple Platform
   MacOS 9.1 or better
   128 MB RAM
   56Kbps modem
   

   To take full advantage of the interactivity of the courses, the following minimum system profiles are recommended:

   PC Platform
   Windows XP or Vista
   512 MB RAM or more
   Broadband Internet
   Sound card and speakers
   Adobe Acrobat Reader
   Apple Quicktime
   Windows Media Player
   Macromedia Flash Player

   Apple Platform
   Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar) or better
   512 MB RAM or more
   Broadband Internet
   Sound card and speakers
   Adobe Acrobat Reader
   Apple Quicktime
   Windows Media Player for Mac
   Macromedia Flash Player

   Note: Courseware cannot be accessed using Web TV.

2. An Internet Service Provider (ISP)

   An ISP is a company that provides the software and access necessary to get on the Internet. You must have Internet access to take online courses.

3. An RMU e-mail account

   Upon acceptance to the University, you'll receive a Freedom Card number and information on how to set up your RMU e-mail account. It is essential that you check your RMU e-mail daily, since all messages from the University and information regarding online courses will be sent there.

4. A Java-compatible browser

   The following browsers are supported:

   Microsoft Windows
   Internet Explorer 6.0 or better
   Firefox 1.x
   Netscape 7.1 or better

   Apple OS X
   Safari 1.2 or better
   Firefox 1.x
   Netscape 7.1 or better

   Apple OS 9
   Internet Explorer 5.2 or better

What Our Students Are Saying

"I absolutely love the online courses I'm taking. With a full-time job, I can be in school full-time and still have time for a life. I definitely want to take more online courses."

"This is a great environment. I think I'll take all of my courses here in the future."

"Online courses allowed me uninterrupted time to learn more. I get individual attention because my instructors respond to my inquiries - by e-mail!"

"I love the fact that I can work at my own pace. Even though we have deadlines like traditional classes, they seem less intimidating when you have more time to get things done and more people to help you."

"In a traditional classroom, it's sometimes difficult to get to the teacher with questions. With online classes, most of my questions were answered in less than 24 hours."

"I appreciate the fact that I can work on my assignments during times that are convenient to me. I travel quite a bit; with online courses, it's convenient for me to catch up."

Is Robert Morris University Online Right for You?

Online learning offers flexibility and convenience, but it may not be right for everyone. Here are a few things to ask yourself if you're considering this option.

1. My need to take this course is:
   1. High. I need it immediately for a degree, job or other important reason.
   2. Moderate. I could take it on campus later or substitute another course.
   3. Low. It is a personal interest that could be postponed.
2. Having face-to-face interaction is:
   1. Not particularly important to me.
   2. Somewhat important to me.
   3. Very important to me.
3. I would classify myself as someone who:
   1. Often gets things done ahead of time.
   2. Needs to be reminded to get things done on time.
   3. Puts things off until the last minute.
4. Classroom discussion is:
   1. Rarely helpful to me.
   2. Sometimes helpful to me.
   3. Almost always helpful to me.
5. When an instructor hands out directions for an assignment, I prefer:
   1. Figuring out the instructions myself.
   2. Trying to follow the directions on my own, then asking for help as needed.
   3. Having the instructions explained to me.
6. I need faculty to constantly remind me of due dates and assignments:
   1. Rarely
   2. Sometimes
   3. Often
7. Considering my professional and personal schedule, the amount of time and work on an online course is:
   1. More than for a class on campus.
   2. The same as a for a class on campus.
   3. Less than for a class on campus.
8. When I am asked to use e-mail, computers or other new technologies:
   1. I look forward to learning new skills.
   2. I feel apprehensive, but try anyway.
   3. I put it off or try to avoid it.
9. As a reader, I would classify myself as:
   1. Good. I usually understand the text without help.
   2. Average. I sometimes need help to understand the text.
   3. Below average. I often need help to understand the text.
10. If I have to go to campus to take exams or complete work:
    1. I have difficulty getting to campus, even in the evenings or on weekends.
    2. I may miss some lab assignments or exam deadlines if campus labs are scheduled for evenings and weekends.
    3. I can go to campus anytime.

Adapted from a questionnaire from the Northern Virginia Community College's Extended Learning Institute.