Frequently Asked Questions | Aspen University

What are the computer requirements for taking courses at Aspen?

Please visit our Technology Requirements page for more information.

How do I receive and hand in my assignments?

All assignments are available in your online classroom. Each week’s activities are clearly organized in the syllabus. You can view all assignments, due dates and grading criteria to help you plan. You can view and print assignments, discuss them with your fellow students, and ask for feedback from your instructor. When you complete an assignment, you will upload it into the classroom, and then click “submit.”

Will I miss the interaction of a conventional classroom setting?

Aspen’s online learning experience is dynamic, personal and highly interactive. You will feel very connected with the Aspen community at all times. All students are active participants in the online classroom. You can contact your professors at any time and will receive written feedback on assignments from them. Your academic counselor is available by e-mail and phone throughout your Aspen program. Advisors help you plan your program, adjust the plan as needed, and assist with any other academic matters.

What time are classes held?

You can participate in course discussions at any time, day or night, wherever you have an Internet connection. However, your writing assignments and project work can be done offline. Most students enter the online classroom several times each week to participate in discussion, but there is no set class schedule so you can “attend class” any time of day, whenever it is convenient for you.

How will I be graded?

Your professor for each course reviews all graded assignments and provides feedback. The feedback is a private communication unless it takes place in an online class discussion, where it may benefit all participants. Your grades on all case studies, assignments and discussions are not shared with the rest of the class. You will receive a final course grade within seven business days from the course completion.

How will I know which classes to take?

You’ll find the requirements for your specific program and the courses available within that program in the student catalog. You can browse the various programs and specializations there or speak to an Enrollment Advisor.

How are the courses structured?

Courses will fall on alternating Tuesdays of each month. Courses are 8-weeks in length with designated assignments due throughout the term. You can view the academic schedule here.

How much time should I expect to spend on each course?

Aspen adheres to the Carnegie definition of credit hour. Therefore, in an 8-week 3-credit course and depending on specific learning style and personal schedule, students should expect to spend a minimum of 135 hours or on average 17 hours per week. Students in some nursing programs may require a greater time commitment.

What is the duration of the program?

Most of our students take 1 or 2 courses at a time; however, you may take up to 3 courses at a time. Undergraduate programs are usually completed within 4 years. Graduate programs are typically completed in 12 to 30 months. Doctoral programs may be completed within 2 to 10 years. The programs are designed for students to work at their own pace. There is no minimum amount of time students are required to be in the undergraduate or graduate programs.

How will I be able to communicate with my instructor if I have a question?

The instructors are available as a resource if students have any questions regarding the coursework. All of the instructors are available by email, and some provide a contact phone number as well.

What are the proctored exams?

Please visit our Proctored Exams page for more information.

Will I receive an accredited degree from Aspen University?

Aspen University is institutionally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission or DEAC (www.deac.org). The Accrediting Commission of the DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency, and is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or CHEA (www.chea.org). The baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees in nursing at Aspen University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation).

Will the credits transfer or be recognized at other institutions?

We recommend checking with your local and state requirements, your employer, or the institution to which you would transfer the credits, just to make sure they will be recognized. Different institutions and employers uphold different polices and standards. We recommend referring to www.deac.org for more detailed information.

How much do Aspen University’s programs cost?

Please visit our Tuition Rates to determine the cost of our programs, or contact an Enrollment Advisor.

Can I transfer my previously earned credits?

We will evaluate a maximum of 90 credits for transfer into our bachelor’s degree programs, 18 credits for transfer into our master’s degree programs, and 9 credits for transfer into our doctoral degree Programs. In the School of Nursing, 18 credits may be transferred into the RN-to-MSN degree program, while 12 credits may be transferred into the MSN degree program.

Can I receive credit for life/work experience?

Prior Experiential Learning (Portfolio Credit) is any learning experience that was not part of a college or university course and does not carry academic degree credit. Up to 25% of a degree program can be applied in this way. We will evaluate a maximum of 30 portfolio credits into our bachelor’s degree programs, and a maximum of nine portfolio credits into our master’s degree programs. Please note Portfolio Credits may not be awarded into the Ed.D, or DSCS programs. Programs in the School of Nursing have unique requirements for Portfolio Credit, which are detailed in the student handbook.

Prior Experiential Learning can take place in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, the following:

Military Training
Continuing Education Courses
Seminars and Workshops
Training Programs or In-Service Courses
On the Job Training (OJT)

Academic Standards for Award of Prior Experiential Credit are as follows:

Credit can be awarded for documented learning.
Credit must be appropriate to the academic context in which it is accepted.

Are there additional requirements for International students?

Please see our International Students page for more details.

Do you issue student visas?

Because Aspen University is online, we do not require our students to travel to or reside in the United States while attending. As such we do not issue student visas.