Skip to main content

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Online

Degrees

  • Click here for information about fully online undergraduate and graduate programs. 

  • A fully online degree means that all the coursework, lectures, assignments, and interactions with instructors and peers are conducted online. This format allows you to complete your studies without needing to physically attend a campus. However, you may be offered optional meetings and proctored exams.
  • An online degree is designed to ensure that you will have a fully online course load throughout your entire degree program.

  • A blended or hybrid course combines online and face-to-face learning. We combine traditional classroom experiences with online components, offering a mix of in-person and virtual instruction.
  • Online and hybrid degrees provide the same degree and learning outcomes as on-campus programs. The courses are developed and taught by the same faculty who teach in-person.
  • Programs labeled as hybrid offer 50% or more of required courses online. Details about on-campus requirements are available in the program explorer and Catalog.
  • May include up to 15 hours of required or mandatory campus or online meetings per semester.
  • A “DB” is attached to the section number.

  • A distance education fee is charged, $30 per credit hour, for online course instruction.  Information is available on the Miscellaneous Course Fees page

Apply and Admissions

  • You can register for online and blended/hybrid courses through the online portal PipelineMT.
  • Some courses may require completion of a Permission of Department (POD) form prior to registration.
  • The following tutorial explaining how to register for MTSU online courses.

Technology Questions / Support

  • D2L (Desire2Learn) is MTSU’s learning management system through which all online courses are delivered.  Use this guide for D2L Basic Tips and Tricks

  • systems check may be run on your computer the first time you log into Desire2Learn (D2L), the online learning management system (LMS) to ensure you have installed everything needed to run D2L.
  • You need a reliable computer and Internet connection to successfully complete an online course. If you do not have a computer, you can access courses via the MTSU Walker Library (with an MTSU ID), MTSU computer labs or at a local public library. 

The Dell College Store provides information on student discounts for computers. MTSU’s academic system has many software programs available for student use. Students register using their MTSU email account.  

  • Technical assistance is available through the ITD.  You can reach them at the ITD webpage or [email protected] or call (615) 898-5345.
  • MTSU Online Help Desk provides multiple services for distance learners including tutorials and D2L support.

  • In most cases, you have access to their MTSU online and hybrid courses five days prior to the start of the semester. Some professors may prefer, however, to make their content available on the first day of class.

Testing / Proctored Activities

The MTSU Online and Distance Education Test Center can assist students with scheduling proctored exams for online courses.

Some professors may require test proctoring which they conduct. For a student who cannot come to campus to take proctored exams, the student may take the exam at approved, off-campus sites. These sites may charge testing fees.  

Testing services are provided as a service to both students and the public. Testing Services offer a variety of standardized and high stakes tests. For information regarding registration for a specific test, visit our Testing Services page, and click on the test you are interested in. Registration procedures and cost are specified for every test we give. If you can’t find what you are looking for, call 898-2863, and our staff will answer your questions. The Testing Center is located in the Keathley University Center (KUC) 107 and is open Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

  • MTSU students will use the instructions provided in the MTSU Student Grade Appeals Policy to complete and submit grade appeals for MTSU online and hybrid courses.

Student Support / Services

  • University Computer Labs are available for all students with a current MTSU ID.
  • Online tutoring is provided by tutor.com.

  • Academic advising is available for students enrolled in online courses.   
  • After you declare a major, the college or department in which the major is offered assigns advisors. 
  • Visit MTSU’s Academic Advising for more information on college / department advisors. 
  • For students who have not yet declared a major, staff in the University College Advising Center are available to assist you.

  • Online services are available from the University Writing Center. The Writing Center supports all levels of writers in all disciplines at any stage of the writing process for any kind of written project or assignment including multimedia projects.  Visit their appointments page for more information.

  • The Library Help website is your primary way to access MTSU library services.
  • Distance Learning Library Services provides access to library research assistance, the ability to borrow books from James E. Walker Library and instruction in using the online catalog and full-text electronic databases.
  • You can contact the designated librarian for online courses at 615-898-2549 or email [email protected].
  • You can also schedule an appointment with the online library assistant here

  • When you take fully online courses you are not required to attend any on-campus or online meetings at scheduled dates/times. Professors may offer optional meetings, but you are not penalized for non-attendance.
  • Students taking hybrid courses are required to attend face-to-face meetings/exams/orientations of up to 15 hours during the semester.

The Academic Calendar  provides you with a semester schedule including the dates of priority registration, start and end of classes, holiday closings, final exams, etc. 

The mission of MTSU Student Health Services is to ensure delivery of affordable, accessible and high quality health care integrated with the promotion of lifelong wellness for MTSU students.     

The Center for Counseling and Psychological Services provides online counseling services to online and distance education students. They offer  personal counseling, assisting students in emotional, intellectual and social growth. Students have the option of meeting online (via videoconferencing by appointment) with counselors, and a self-help option is available for students who wish to receive immediate assistance via Therapy Assistance Online (TAO). For more information email Dr. Robin Lee at [email protected].

  • The Disability & Access Center supports student success by promoting independence, cultural awareness, access, advocacy, universal design principles, and technological advances. Students complete and submit a registration application along with medical documentation through the DAC Student Portal. You can contact the office at 615-898-2783 or by email at [email protected]

Many students transitioning from foster care and homeless situations will qualify for membership in the Student Support Services (SSS) program at MTSU. These students are eligible to receive additional free tutoring, academic and financial aid advising, opportunities to participate in cultural and campus events, and exposure to a wide variety of academic and success workshops designed to enhance their academic success. 

The Online Student Experience

MTSU Online faculty use a variety of methods to share materials, promote interaction between students and monitor student progress throughout their courses. The benefits of completing your degree online is flexibility. A few courses may require specific log-on times for certain activities or assignments, and all courses have assignments and due dates.

Online learning certainly isn’t easier in terms of your faculty member or instructor expecting any less of you. Doing well takes self-discipline, time management and personal responsibility. Because you may not have to be in a classroom at a certain time on a certain day, it’s easy to tell yourself that you will complete that assignment or do the reading later and then put off the schoolwork until you are rushed to complete assignments. We have numerous programs designed to help you succeed and not fall behind.

Most online courses are asynchronous although some professors may require proctored exams which may be taken during an instructor-specified timeframe.

Instructors are required to make course content accessible and are provided various training opportunities, resources, and an accessibility specialist to assist in this effort.  

Online students may join the organizations offered to on-campus students. Visit the Student Organization page to see which organizations might be a good fit for you.

MTSU Student Programming and Raider Entertainment (SPARE) provides quality, low-cost entertainment for students throughout the year.

Obtain your card and access your account online using the BlueID Online portal

It can be used to purchase goods and services as well as accessing MTSU athletic and MT Engage events.  A mobile version is available.  

PipelineMT is the information system used for registering for courses, paying tuition and fees, accessing financial aid resources, and connecting with other MTSU services. 

For online courses listed in Pipeline with the note saying Department Permission Required, students can submit their enrollment request through the Permission of Department (POD) form available from the University College web site.

Additional Information

The Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center is the largest and most comprehensive veterans center on any Tennessee higher education campus. It enables the over 1,000 military-connected student population on campus to meet a variety of academic needs.

The Career Development Center assists you with resume writing, career advising, and interviewing skills, job search coaching, and providing assistance for graduate and professional school applications, and more. For more information call (615) 898-2500.

  1. MTSU online students may file formal complaints on the Issue Reporting website.
  2. Complaints related to accreditation and fraud via MTSU’s accrediting agency SACSCOC.
  3. Complaints related to consumer protection laws offered under the terms and conditions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), must first be filed with the institution to seek resolution. If the resolution is not found, contact the Institution’s Home State SARA Portal Entity. Here is the list of SARA State Portal Entities.
  4. Specific questions about MTSU State Authorization of Distance Education can be directed to MTSU Online

NC-SARA Participating Institution Seal