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Learning Formats

We design our programs with busy professionals like you in mind, which is why we offer a variety of flexible formats to fit your schedule and learning style — including classroom, online and blended options.

Classroom Formats

CLASSROOM

Attend classes part time at one of our convenient locations in the Puget Sound region, which include the UW Seattle campus, UW Bothell and our facility in downtown Seattle. Classes generally meet once or twice a week in the evenings or on weekends.

Throughout the program, you’ll engage face to face with your classmates and instructors as part of a highly interactive curriculum. You’ll attend lectures, participate in group discussions and complete weekly assignments. For some programs, you’ll also participate in field trips or computer labs.

Though classes meet in person, you’ll access some assignments and course materials through a web-based learning management system that also serves as a communications hub.

ONLINE FORMATS

Online, Self-Paced

Certificate Programs

Enjoy the flexibility of learning at your own pace, with instructor support along the way. Self-paced certificate programs are 100% online, with no class meetings or fixed deadlines — so you can start anytime.

Lessons, assignments and other course materials are delivered through a web-based learning management system that also serves as a hub for communicating with your instructors and other students. The flexible online format allows you to access course content wherever you are, on your own schedule.

Once you're accepted to a self-paced program, you have six weeks to register for the first course. There is a fixed amount of time to complete self-paced programs. You have up to four months to finish each course, and up to one year to complete a program. 

Credit Courses

In addition to our self-paced certificate programs, we also offer self-paced credit courses that start every quarter. You can advance through the course at your own pace, but you must complete it by the quarter’s end.

ONLINE, GROUP-PACED

Enjoy the flexibility of 100% online learning with the structure of a traditional course.  You’ll start and finish the program with the same group of students, with assignment deadlines but no real-time meetings. 

Lessons, assignments and other course materials are delivered through a web-based learning management system that also serves as a hub for communicating with your instructors and classmates. This flexible online format allows you to access course content wherever you are, on your own schedule.

ONLINE WITH REAL-TIME MEETINGS

Combine the convenience of online learning with the immediacy of real-time interaction. With this option, you’ll start and finish your program with the same group of students. You’ll take courses online and interact with your instructors and fellow students via video conferencing or chat, all in real time.

Programs in this format are part time, with scheduled class dates and set due dates for assignments. You’ll access assignments and other course materials through a web-based learning management system that also serves as a communications hub.

Watch this video to get an idea of what the online with real-time meetings experience is like. 

Need help choosing an online format? See our online format comparison

BLENDED (CLASSROOM + ONLINE) FORMAT

Enjoy the convenience of online study along with the vibrancy of in-person classes in this unique blended learning experience.

With this format, you’ll take classes part time, attending some sessions in person with the remainder of instruction completed online. Your online classes may be held in real time or be prerecorded and ready for you to view; check the course page for details.

You’ll access your assignments and other course materials through a web-based learning management system that also serves as a communications hub.

Programs in this format may consist of a series of blended courses or a combination of classroom and online courses. Check the program page for details.

 ACCELERATED FORMAT

Step up the pace and complete your program more quickly with our accelerated format. With this option, you’ll enjoy the same curriculum and features offered in our standard experience. You’ll move through the program’s full curriculum in a condensed time frame, attending more class hours each week for fewer weeks overall. 

 

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