Distance Learning

Welcome to Distance Learning at Mercer University  

As a university committed to excellence and innovation, Mercer offers a number of distance learning courses and programs in order to make the University accessible to more students. Each college and school at Mercer ensures that faculty members who teach distance learning courses have knowledge of distance teaching and learning.

Distance learning programs at the university are offered in two delivery formats: online and blended. These terms describe the overall structure of a program. Within either format, instruction may include asynchronous and synchronous learning activities. In online programs, students complete their work online and do not attend regularly scheduled in-person class sessions during the semester, although some programs may require an in-person orientation. In blended programs, students complete coursework online and participate in required in-person experiences during the semester.

 

Online

Online programs are completed online and do not include regularly scheduled in-person class sessions during the semester. Many online programs include asynchronous coursework, which gives students flexibility in completing weekly academic requirements. However, online does not always mean fully asynchronous. Even programs that are primarily asynchronous may include required synchronous activities at scheduled times. Depending on the program or course, these may include office hours, live class sessions, discussions, presentations, group meetings, orientations, advising sessions, practicum-related meetings, or other real-time online activities. Students enrolled in online programs should be prepared to participate in both asynchronous and, when required, synchronous online instruction.

 

Blended

Blended programs combine online learning with required in-person participation during the semester. These programs may include asynchronous coursework, synchronous online activities, and in-person classes or other in-person experiences. Students enrolled in blended programs should expect a combination of online and in-person participation.

Instructional Terms

• Asynchronous: Learning activities that students complete on their own time within stated deadlines. Examples may include recorded lectures, discussion boards, readings, quizzes, assignments, and other coursework that does not require students and the instructor to be online at the same time.
• Synchronous: Learning activities that require students and instructors to participate at the same scheduled time in a live online environment. Examples may include virtual class meetings, live discussions, presentations, group work, office hours, labs, orientations, or other real-time instructional activities.

The university also offers many additional distance learning courses. See the Office of the Registrar for course listings.