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What Are the Different Types of Online Classes for College Students?

By G. Wiesen
Updated May 17, 2024
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Most online classes for college students are either intended to help someone complete a particular degree at a school, or a class that may be informative though not necessarily transferable. Many colleges offer online classes for students, which usually count toward a degree received from that school. Some of these courses may be available from accredited schools that are recognized at other colleges and universities, which allows students to easily take a course at one school while attending another. Other online classes for college students, however, may be offered by a school that is not necessarily recognized by other colleges, and so should be used only for students of that school.

There are a number of different schools that offer online classes for college students, though a student should be careful about choosing the ones in which to enroll. Some of the most common types of online classes are those offered by a particular school for students attending it. These courses are accepted by that school and can be used to complete a degree granted by it. Such online classes for college students may be taught by professors who also teach traditional courses at the school.

Many of these online classes for college students are intended to assist those who may be attending a different school. These courses are available from accredited schools that are recognized by other colleges and universities. This allows someone to take online courses at one school while attending another, which lets a student choose a program that best suits his or her schedule and location.

Some online classes for college students, however, are intended primarily for students attending a certain school and are not necessarily meant to transfer. These schools might not be accredited in the same way as other colleges and universities, and such classes are often found at art or technical schools. While these programs are not necessarily inferior to those from accredited schools, they should be considered carefully by students since they may not transfer to many other colleges. A lack of accreditation may also be something that should alert students to the possibility that a school is not very reputable, which can be a common problem at some online schools.

Different types of online classes for college students are offered by a wide range of schools in a variety of subjects. Most of these courses cover common subjects such as language arts, mathematics, or social sciences such as history and psychology. There are also some schools that offer free online classes for college students, which may not be applicable toward a degree, but which can provide someone with a developed curriculum without the expense of tuition.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

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