Asynchronous Classes The college education you want. With the convenience you need.

An online class is one in which your class fully takes place virtually. An asynchronous class is one that does not have a set meeting time.

At a number of colleges, they're one and the same. That's the case at Southern New Hampshire University: When you're a student at SNHU, there are no mandatory log-in times – and typically just two assignment deadlines each week.

"Prior to enrolling at SNHU, I was working full time and trying to get my education at an on-campus institution," said Kasey Miller '21 '22. "I was struggling trying to balance my work schedule with my class schedule and could not enroll in the necessary classes because they were not available at the times I needed them."

SNHU understands that not everyone's schedule allows them to be available during traditional hours. It's why instructors and support services are available well beyond your workday and other responsibilities.

At SNHU, instructors make themselves available to students throughout the term, providing email replies within 24 hours or sometimes even by text or phone call. Instructors are also tasked with guiding you through the course as well as providing help when you need or request it.

There are some instances in which asynchronous and self-paced mean the same thing. Self-paced courses would always be asynchronous, but asynchronous courses can be paced.

At Southern New Hampshire University, there is a term schedule in place:

• Undergraduate courses are 8 weeks long.
• Graduate courses are 10 weeks long.

"The time it took me to get the degree seemed to go by very fast due to how the courses were set up to be completed every 8 weeks," said Kaitlin Seme '20, who earned her BA in Human Services.

And both levels of courses typically have two deadlines per week – on Thursdays and Sundays – to keep you on track.

Because the due dates are so routine each week, you can set yourself up to do coursework as quickly or as spread out as you'd like – however it works best with your schedule.

Asynchronous classes can have lectures. They typically wouldn't be in person or live-streamed, rather they'd be recorded so that you could watch them on your time.

At Southern New Hampshire University, instructors can choose whether to make videos of their talks for a better understanding of the subject material. They may also choose to feature videos from subject-matter experts to help you better understand a topic.

(SNHU's online MBA programs, however, often have lectures that are live-streamed and recorded for later viewing.)

For some students, the lack of lectures is a plus.

"I never felt that I learned much from lectures" before SNHU, said Max Bailey '17 '20. "To just read and conduct my own research was a much more effective way for me to learn the material."

When you register for classes, talk with your admission counselor or academic advisor to learn more about the instructors' methods to find the best match for your study style.

Because there are no set class times, asynchronous learning happens outside a traditional classroom. And if learning isn't happening in a physical classroom, it's most likely taking place virtually.

In some cases, the online asynchronous format is the only option students have.

"I lived in a small area with few opportunities to obtain higher education, and I could not attend day classes," said Jackie Lancaster '19 '21. "I also needed the time to focus on my coursework after hours without being distracted by a long commute and travel obligations."

While there are a small number of graduate programs at Southern New Hampshire University that require occasional in-person gatherings, the majority of degrees here can be completed 100% online.

The format of online classes will depend on the college you choose to attend.

At Southern New Hampshire University, the learning is led by both instructors and reading material. At the beginning of your course, you'll receive the syllabus, which will list all of your assignments for the term.

Your instructor will post within your online class at the beginning of each week to discuss your weekly assignments and add their own thoughts to the conversation.

You'll continue that conversation in the discussion board, where you'll interact with the instructor and your classmates – both in your own post and your responses to others.

Find out more about how online classes work at SNHU.

At Southern New Hampshire University, there are very few courses or programs that require live tests recorded through webcam, or proctoring.

Some courses may have quizzes or knowledge checks – though you can reference course material to complete them.

If you're in a course that requires proctoring, you'll be given instructions on how to set up your space and complete the exam.

To succeed in an asynchronous class environment, you'll want to brush up on your time management skills.

The main benefit of asynchronous learning is that you can create your own schedule. (And then you have to make sure that you stick to it!)

Jamar Wilson '21 – a professional athlete who needed the convenience of having no set class times – succeeded at Southern New Hampshire University by time blocking, a method of time management that divides your day into specific tasks.

"Learning remotely, SNHU was easily the best fit during my search for a program that helped me learn and achieve my goals while living abroad," said the MS Sport Management graduate. "As a parent of two, it was important to be able to manage my time with school, family and work. I was able to find time to do my assignments when time suited."

At SNHU, asynchronous learning means you can do coursework on your own time – but there are still deadlines in place to keep you on track.

Typically, these fall on Thursdays and Sundays. It's great to know that deadlines remain the same throughout your program, because it helps you pencil in time each week to do your coursework.

Learn 5 tips to help you manage your time better.

Just because you're not in class with your instructor doesn't mean you'll never talk with them. In fact, this can give you the opportunity to have more face-to-face time with them.

"The instructors helped me tremendously," said Margarita Santiago '19 '21. "Some did one-on-one sessions through Zoom and called me personally to help me understand an assignment when I was struggling. They make sure that every student understands what needs to be done."

Instructors typically have office hours in which you can set up time with them – just like you might do in a campus environment. Plus, they're all just an email away to answer your questions.

Asynchronous learning allows you to do school on your own time. By removing the barrier of set class times, you can complete your coursework when it best fits your schedule.

Class times can often conflict with work, family and personal obligations. At Southern New Hampshire University, responding to discussion board posts after putting kids to bed or reading a chapter on your lunch break can take some of the stress away from reaching your goal of finishing your degree.

For Cody Voye '21, an active-duty service member, online asynchronous learning was the only way he would have been able to pursue his AS in Criminal Justice while serving his country.

"I was originally attracted to the program due to the ability to study online while deployed," he said. "My schedule does not allow me the ability to attend in-person classes and perform my military duty, whereas the online program did." (About 16% of SNHU's online student population is military affiliated.)

There are a number of programs and classes, however, that benefit from in-person, scheduled learning. Check out SNHU's New Hampshire-based campus degree programs for more information on these offerings.