Discover the weekly number of hours online students study

One of the most common pieces of feedback from students who are new to an online degree program is that they are surprised by the amount of time it takes to succeed in their online courses.

Common misconceptions of online degree programs are that they're easy to complete or take less time than traditional college classes. But with proper planning, you can set yourself up for success in your classes.

How long are ASU Online courses?

ASU Online’s undergraduate and graduate courses are structured in seven and a half week sessions, rather than 14-week semesters.

How many hours should I plan to study per credit hour?

A good rule of thumb is to dedicate six hours a week for each credit hour you take — so for a standard three credit class, you can expect to spend 18 hours per week on it. In other words, if you are signed up for two or three courses during a session and each course is worth three credits, you should plan to spend between 36 to 54 hours a week on coursework.

This may seem daunting, particularly for students who work full-time jobs or have parental responsibilities in addition to their coursework. The good news is it’s doable! Every term, online students who juggle work, parenting, activities and more are making the time and succeeding in their classes. Spending dedicated hours each week on assignments, reading and studying is a great way to stay on top of your work and avoid falling behind.

Time management is the key to success with online classes

One of the key benefits of online learning is that you can create your own schedule and study whenever works best for your individual needs. Students with full-time careers often make time for school in the evenings and on weekends, while students with young children may complete their coursework while their children are at school.

Just as in a traditional college setting, it can be difficult to set aside time to study each day. Time management skills for online students are key to setting yourself up for success with online courses. You can use a calendar to keep track of due dates and schedule time to work.

Resources to help you build good time management skills

Helping you build time management skills is an essential part of the ASU Online experience. When you know how to successfully balance your obligations in a healthy way, you can reach your full potential — personally, professionally and academically.

As an ASU Online student, you have access to a support network that provides tailored guidance to help you balance your goals with your busy life. Our comprehensive support network includes success coaches available to support you from orientation to graduation, who provide time management advice and best practices to help you stay on track.