The flexibility and convenience that make online courses perfect for working professionals also make them a little different than residential courses. Here you’ll learn what it’s like to be an O’Neill Online student, from the time commitment to what’s expected of you in courses.
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I'd really love to work for a nonprofit that is human rights-based, social services something like that, so I thought it prudent to expand my knowledge. When I was looking at going to grad school, I really wanted to find a program where I would have good work-life balance. Really O'Neill was the only one I wanted to go to. I didn't even apply anywhere else. I am a single mom of three-year-old twins and they are in preschool. I think that my kids find it kind of fun that I'm in school too, because I started grad school at the same time that they started preschool. So it's nice, I can sit at the table and do my work and they'll be you know reading a book. Then we're sort of like doing our homework together. I knew I wanted to do the program online because the flexibility is really key to my lifestyle. Working, a single mother of two three-year-olds, in-person classes on a regular basis is just not something that was possible. So honestly the online program is what made grad school possible for me. One of the great things is the classes are asynchronous. I don't necessarily have to be online two days a week at 1 pm to see the lecture. I can watch after my kids go to bed. You fix it to your schedule. Whether it's you get up early and do homework or you do it at night. It is what you make of it. With the program being online and asynchronous and as flexible as it is, it makes it easier for me to spend more time with my kids like after school. At this point with them being so small, that's so important to me. I think showing them that Mommy was able to do this while you were little - I hope will make them realize that absolutely anything is possible for them.
MPA students can meet classmates and professors in person—and get a head start on their degree—by participating in an optional, weeklong program held on our Bloomington, Indiana, campus. It’s a great way to earn a quick three credits.
Your O’Neill Online courses will be taught by a combination of O’Neill’s world-class faculty members and professionals who are a valuable source of real-world knowledge. You’ll interact with your professors online, of course, but you can also reach them by phone to ask questions and get to know them better.
You’ll access your courses through Canvas, Indiana University’s online learning environment. Most courses will require you to log in one or more times per week, whenever it’s convenient for you, to participate in discussions, exercises, and reviews. Some classes may have specified meeting times—for chat sessions, for example.
Course requirements vary, but you’ll be expected to:
You may already have some or all of these programs on your computer, and Indiana University (IU) students can download PDF readers, media players, and other free or low-cost software from IUware Online.
For more information about Canvas, software, or other technology-related matters, check out the Knowledge Base, which has answers to thousands of questions about information technology at IU.
Students are expected to participate in class each week. We recommend budgeting about six hours per week per class to complete your reading and participation, but this time will vary according to the course, the instructor, and your learning habits.
After you are admitted to the program and register for courses, you will receive a password that will give you access to the course materials on Canvas. We encourage you to get started and explore Canvas before your courses begin.
When you enroll in O’Neill Online, you’ll join O’Neill’s powerful network of students, top faculty, and alumni who are solving important problems throughout the world. They will help you develop your interests and advance your career, both in class and through opportunities such as internships and mentoring. It’s the kind of network you can only get at a top public affairs school like O’Neill.
