Frequently Asked Questions
Online Bachelor's
Please review the list of frequently asked questions below. If your specific question is not answered here, contact us for more information.
Is there a difference between diplomas awarded for the online bachelor's and the traditional undergraduate business program?
All online undergraduate business students receive identical diplomas stating that they are graduates of the business program at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Both our online classes and traditional classes are held to the same high standard of quality.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is accredited by the High Learning Commission (HLC ). Additionally, the College of Business and Economics is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) – an honor less than 5 percent of the world’s business schools can claim – and the Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety is a Qualified Academic Program (QAP) by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.
How many courses can I take each semester?
You are able to take up to 18 credits during Fall and Spring terms and 12 credits during the Summer term without special permission. A load of 12 credits is considered a full load, and 15 credits is an average load.
How long does it take to complete a course?
Courses are currently structured to coincide (begin and end) with the campus's normal schedule. Courses are sixteen weeks during Fall and Spring semesters, three and six weeks for Summer Session, and three weeks for Winterim Session.
What degrees from the College of Business and Economics can I earn entirely online?
The College of Business and Economics offers online bachelor of science and bachelor of business administration degrees. The array of online options is continually expanding. Please visit Online Bachelor's Degrees for a current list of majors that can be completed online.
Can I take an online course from UW-Whitewater if I am enrolled in a program at another school?
Yes, you can apply to UW-Whitewater as a special student (no credentials). For more information on this process, please see Online Courses for Guest Students.
Is the online bachelor's program open to international students?
Yes, UW-Whitewater online bachelor's classes can be taken from anywhere in the world as long as you have a computer that meets the minimum technical requirements. Please review the university's International Admission requirements for more information.
Can I combine online courses with traditional on-campus courses?
Yes. You can take courses completely online, online and on-campus, or strictly on-campus in nearly limitless combinations. Please note that online bachelor's courses and face-to-face courses are charged at different tuition rates. Contact the Online Bachelor's Coordinator for more information.
What are the transfer grade point average requirements for admission to the College of Business and Economics?
The transfer GPA requirements for admission can be found on the admissions page for transfer students. If you do not meet the minimum requirements and have not taken post-secondary classes in the last five years, you may qualify for academic forgiveness. Contact the Online Bachelor's Coordinator, or the Assistant Dean at (262) 472-4900.
Can a person pass out of any course or skip courses due to years of experience?
UW-Whitewater does not give credit for life experience. If you have acquired the knowledge of a course, you can attempt to earn credit by examination.
How are courses delivered?
Courses are delivered through Canvas, a course management software. Instructors typically use textbooks, multimedia lectures, and Internet sources as learning tools.
Do I have to log into the course at a specific time?
No, the classes are completely asynchronous, so there is no mandatory time to log on. Instructors may have deadlines to complete assignments, but not a specific “class” time. This format allows you to consume lectures, readings and other materials at a time of day and week that works for you.
Are any visits to campus required?
There is no required visit to campus for the online Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety degree or majors in the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree program.
If I have difficulties, will I be able to ask the professor questions?
Students can readily connect with faculty by phone, email or web conferencing.
How are exams administered? Do I need a proctor?
Exams are administered online. Some courses may require a proctor or other monitoring.
What courses are available online?
Please see the Online Course Offerings document for a listing of courses.
What are the computer requirements needed to be able to work with the online undergraduate courses?
To access the online bachelor's courses and lecture content, you need a computer with a high speed internet connection. You will also need a web camera, microphone, and speakers.
Minimum Technology Requirements:
- Windows 10 or macOS 10.13
- 2 Ghz dual-core processor
- 8 gigs of memory
- Latest version of Chrome and Firefox
- Current Windows/Mac updates and anti-virus
- If using a work computer, you must be granted local admin rights
Students may download MS Office and Symantec Antivirus for free at uww.edu/icit/4u.
Students may use a tablet or iPad as a secondary device, but a Windows or Mac computer is required for the program. Additional software requirements may apply in some courses.
Instructors may require the use of Respondus Monitor and/or Respondus LockDown Browser for online quizzes and exams. Respondus Monitor requires use of a webcam. If you do not already have a webcam, they can be purchased through major online retailers for about $25.
Please note that Respondus products are not compatible with Chromebooks and are not guaranteed to work on a tablet, which is why a Windows- or Mac-based PC is recommended as the primary tool for accessing your online courses.
Who do I contact if I have technical questions?
The university and college help desks cannot provide support for Canvas, LockDown Browser or Respondus Monitor. For technical support related to these programs, please contact Canvas directly using the contact information at uww.edu/canvas.
Please contact the College of Business and Economics Online Education Help Desk with any technical questions that are unrelated to Canvas, LockDown Browser, or Respondus Monitor.
cobetech@uww.edu
Phone: (262) 472-4981
