Online Classes Frequently Asked Questions

As a Galen RN program student, you now have the opportunity to complete many of your required courses online. Much of your coursework can be completed from the comfort of your own home or any location where you have internet access, giving you greater flexibility in your schedule and learning preferences.

Click on the questions below to reveal the answer:

Am I a Candidate for Online Learning?: Online learners need to be organized and disciplined with their studies. This requires strong skills in time management; priority setting; staying focused and not getting behind; utilizing faculty when guidance is needed; and of course, computer experience. Three things to ask yourself are:

1. Do I work well unsupervised?
2. Am I able to stick to a schedule?
3. Can I meet deadlines?

If you answer "yes" to these, you are probably a good candidate for online courses.
Are Online Classes Easier Than Traditional Courses?: No. The course work in an online course at Galen will be the same, just delivered in a different way. At Galen, there is not a significant difference between what is learned in an online versus traditional course; Galen simply wants to provide students with options in how they learn the course material so that they can find the learning method that best suits them.
Does online learning mean I won't have an instructor or classmates?: No. You will be required to log in regularly, and interaction with your professor will be necessary just as in traditional coursework. In addition, you will be encouraged to interact with those taking the same course at the same time for study purposes or group projects.
Will I Have to Log On When My Instructor is Logged On?: No. Online learning at Galen is asynchronous, meaning your instructor will provide materials, lectures, tests and assignments that can be accessed at any time. However, students will have a time frame in which to complete coursework, with weekly deadlines. Also, There will be times you will be required to attend one of our physical campus sites or other designated areas for proctored exams, as well as for the classes' clinical and lab components.
What Level of Time Commitment Should I Expect?: Online courses require at least as much time as do classroom-based courses. Please note that online classes run during the normal quarter. While students do not have to attend class at a given hour and day, they do have to sign on, do the assignments, interact with their instructors and classmates, and generally participate on a regular basis. Plan on spending several hours per week for each online course (typically 3-4 hours of work per credit hour of the course; i.e., 9-12 hours for a 3 credit course). Most classes are highly interactive and will require your active participation.
What are the technical requirements? Will I have to buy a special computer?: If you have a home computer on which you are able to access the Internet, you should have no problem accessing Galen online courses. However, please refer to the Technical Requirements guide to make sure.
What is the policy on Online Faculty Response time?: Online faculty share the same commitment and dedication to student success as our on ground instructors. They must meet the same standards of preparation and educational experience as their on ground counterparts. Online faculty are required to respond to distance education students' requests within twenty-four (24) hours.

While the online faculty is focused on academic questions raised by students, Galen maintains technical support twenty-four (24) hours a day seven (7) days a week which ensures students are able to log on and send messages to their instructors.