Frequently Asked Questions
1. What courses are available?
Available courses vary by program and term.. For more details you can review the class schedule online. To find out if a credit course is offered online, search the catalog in Towson Online Services. Select “View Schedule of Classes.” After you select the term of study, deselect the "Open Classes Only" checkbox. Then scroll to the bottom and in the box beside Off-Campus/Online, write “online.”
2. Are they accredited?
Yes. The University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
3. Can I complete my entire degree or certificate program online?
Yes, designated programs will be fully available online for students to complete.
4. How do the online courses differ from the courses offered on Towson's campus or other "brick and mortar" locations where Towson has classes?
Online courses are available via the internet. Students are not required to attend courses in person but instead attend and participate in the course via computer.
5. How do I learn in an online environment?
Although instructors shape the environment of their courses, courses usually entail online group discussions supplemented with individual or group assignments. Some faculty utilize additional media and means to deliver course materials.
6. How do I interact with my professor and other students?
The online educational platform that Towson uses features structured discussion boards. Some courses may have additional avenues for interaction.
7. Are there online library resources?
Yes, Cook Library does provide services that students can access from off-campus locations.
8. What kind of support is available from faculty and academic advisors?
Faculty members will designate their office hours are how they prefer to be contacted in the syllabus.
9. What do I need to be successful as an online learner?
Learning online is an individual preference. To help you to assess your own learning style, we have made available three self-assessment tools for you to utilize.
10. When are classes held?
Online courses are held within the academic semesters of the university. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week except for the published maintenance times.
11. Do classes have specific start and stop dates?
The courses follow the university academic calendar.
12. How long will it take me to complete my program?
The length of time to complete a program depends on the particular program and how many credits the student takes each semester. The majority of Graduate School programs are offered on a part-time basis to help working professionals continue their education and further their careers. However, full-time status is possible in some programs.
13. How will I know which classes to take and in what order?
Discuss this with your program director or your advisor.
14. How do I apply?
The Graduate School takes care of all Graduate Online Program applications. Go to grad.towson.edu and click on Apply Now. This will take you to the online application. You will want to take special note of any supplemental materials required by the program. For Undergraduate Online Programs, you must apply for undergraduate admission.
15. How do I register for classes?
Your TU ID number is included in your admission packet. This information allows you to activate your Towson Online Services account and provides access to your academic records online. For additional information about registration, please visit the registrar's site.
16. Is financial aid available?
Financial aid is available to students based on need. Students interested in financial aid should complete the FAFFA form and identify Towson as your university of choice (005404). For more information:
17. What are the benefits of getting my degree or certificate online with Towson University?
Online education provides you the opportunity to gain your advanced degree while providing you the flexibility needed in today's busy world. This learning environment brings the classroom to you by allowing you to learn from home, your business or other locations convenient for you. It does not restrict you to a designated time slot for class meetings. The benefit is the flexibility of education while maintaining the educational excellence that Towson University is proud of.
18. Are the costs the same for taking online courses as for taking traditional classes?
The cost structure may be a little different than conventional courses. The most complete cost information is outlined on the Bursar's site.
19. As an online student, do I need to pay campus fees?
Campus fees are included within the cost structure for online courses. These fees assist in providing technical and library resources used by all students.
20. What forms of payment do you accept?
The University Bursar's office allows for several methods of payment including cash, check, credit card (Discover, Master Card and Visa), and financial aid.
21. Is there a graduation ceremony for online learners?
Online students are welcome to participate in the University commencements that are held twice a year. Students are eligible to graduate in May, August or December but the commencements are only held in May and January.
22. How do I buy my books?
Students may purchase books through the University Store online.
23. As an online learner, is the degree I earn from Towson an "online" degree?
The degree that is earned is the same degree earned by all students.
24. Is there help available online from Towson University in case I run into technical problems?
For technical support on general technical issues (account problems, etc.) please contact Student Computing Services by calling 410-704-5151. Select option #2 for computer related issues, then option #1 for students. Email questions to Student Computing Services at scs@towson.edu. For current hours of operation and other SCS support resources, please check the Web site.
25. Will credits earned via my online courses transfer to other programs at Towson or another university?
Courses taken at Towson University can be utilized towards your degree. If you decide to transfer to a new degree program within Towson, use of your existing courses are at the discretion of the program director of your new program. Other universities have their own transfer of credit policies and you would want to verify with them their requirements for acceptance of courses from other universities.
26. What are the technical specifications for my computer to be an online learner at Towson?
Towson University's minimum technology standards for accessing our online services and learning system environment are:
- 56kbs modem connection
- Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape web browser version 5.0 or higher or Mozilla Firefox version 1.5 or higher (other browsers not supported)
- JAVA 2 Runtime version 1.4.1 or higher
- Adobe Acrobat Reader version 6 or higher
Please Note: While these are minimum specifications for basic access, Towson University strongly recommends a broadband connection (DSL, cable modem, etc.) to facilitate a more successful experience and robust learning environment. Please check with your program coordinator for more specific technology requirements.
A complete list of technology recommendations, software application tutorials, and an online learner readiness assessment, can be found at:
To verify your browser capabilities for successful access to our learning system, please use the "browser check":
27. What soft ware will be used? Do I have to purchase it or is it provided by Towson?
The educational platform used for the online courses at Towson University is Blackboard. Students do not have to purchase this software. Towson University recommends the Microsoft Office suite to facilitate most course-related work. It is strongly recommended that you check with your program coordinator for information on required discipline-specific software. Academic discounts for many common applications are available through the University Store.
For academically-priced discounts on the purchase of a new DELL or APPLE computer, please visit the OTS Educational Discounts page.
28. Who teaches the online courses?
In many cases, online courses are taught by the same faculty who teach face-to-face courses at Towson University. Some courses are taught by professionals from the community who are experts in their field.
29. How does grading take place?
Grading is done by the faculty member and recorded in Blackboard. The final grade is then recorded in Towson Online Services as part of the student's official academic record.
30. Is the online option only for U.S. residents and U.S. citizens?
No, a student located outside of the United States may also participate as an online learner.
31. Is there a cost difference for in-state and out-of-state students?
Yes. Residency classification applies to online course tuition.
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