Guide to Self-Paced Online Colleges and Courses
Updated April 24, 2024
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You don't have to sit in a classroom or study on a traditional college calendar to earn your degree. You can pursue an education on your own timeline. Self-paced courses let students make their own schedules — without deadlines or check-ins until the end of the class.
Studying at your own pace requires commitment and discipline, but learners with extensive professional experience, transfer credits, and excellent time management skills may benefit from a self-paced education. Use the guide below to explore self-paced online college courses at notable schools.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
What Is Self-Paced Learning?
Self-paced learning lets students complete coursework and assignments at their own pace. Unlike the traditional format, in which classes happen at set times, self-paced online courses prioritize flexibility. Learners often watch recorded lectures and videos instead of attending live class sessions. They complete reading assignments, projects, and tests as they finish course materials.
Without set deadlines, students in self-paced classes complete requirements when they feel confident about the material. Like other distance learning programs, self-paced online courses occur in a virtual learning environment. Designed for maximum flexibility, self-paced online college courses help learners arrange coursework around their other responsibilities.
While many classes follow a semester-based schedule, self-paced online courses give students a window of time to finish the class. Many programs allow up to six months per class. Learners set their own schedules to complete the requirements within that period.
Self-Paced Online Colleges
Explore a selection of nonprofit, accredited four-year schools that offer self-paced online programs or courses below. These schools are unranked and listed alphabetically.
Prospective students should check with prospective schools to learn more about their program offerings.
Columbia College
Founded in 1851, Columbia College offers over 70 fully online programs, including associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, along with certificates and a teacher certification program. Students take eight-week classes in six terms per year, earning their degrees at their own pace. Course materials are available 24/7.
Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University, located in central Kansas, offers over 200 online degrees and certificates. Students can take courses in eight-week or 16-week formats. The university offers courses through Blackboard, and students can receive credit for qualifying prior learning experiences.
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Founded in 1966, the Metropolitan State University of Denver offers self-paced online classes without deadlines or check-ins. Students advance through the course content entirely at their own pace. Fall and spring courses last 18 weeks, and summer courses take eight weeks.
Purdue University Global
Purdue Global builds on Purdue University's 150 years of educational experience by offering 175 academic programs to online students. Most undergraduate students meet half their requirements through prior learning credits, and new courses begin every month. Learners may try a course for free for three weeks.
University of Florida
University of Florida in Gainesville offers self-paced courses such as beginning Spanish, psychology, and journalism. Students do not need UF admittance to enroll in these classes. Self-guided learners get 16 weeks to finish a class.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers over 150 online programs and over 2,000 online classes. The university's course offerings also include 170 MOOCs through Coursera. Self-paced learners may enroll at any time, but math students should know that they have just 16 weeks to complete their courses.
University of Massachusetts Global
UMass Global offers competency-based education through its MyPath program, which primarily serves working professionals. Self-paced learners take courses on their own schedules and may pursue degrees in business, information technology, and organizational leadership. Instructional strategies include simulations, social learning, data analytics, adaptive learning, and game-based learning.
University of North Dakota
As the largest postsecondary institution in the state, this university hosts more than 14,000 students annually. UND offers self-paced online language courses in German, Norwegian, and Spanish. Students can finish coursework in up to nine months or 12 months if they request a time extension.
Upper Iowa University
Upper Iowa University offers web-based, paper-based, and semester-long programs where each student learns one-on-one with a professor on a self-paced schedule. Enrollees can transfer up to 90 credits to the university and earn their degrees through an entirely self-paced format. The university offers 12 start dates during the year.
Western Governors University
Western Governors University enrolls 140,000 students and offers degrees in business, education, technology, healthcare, and nursing. The university uses competency-based programs, allowing learners to proceed at their own pace. Most enrollees take 28 months to earn a bachelor's degree.
Five Tips for Self-Paced Program Success
Students used to a more structured learning environment may struggle with a self-paced learning format. Succeeding in self-paced online college degrees requires a different skill set. By planning ahead, creating good study habits, and getting support, learners can thrive in self-paced programs.
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Choose the right program
Prospective students should research programs carefully to find the right fit for their needs. Along with cost, program length, and courses, review each school's accreditation status. Accredited online colleges meet high academic excellence standards and qualify for federal student aid programs.
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Manage your time easily
Time management matters in self-paced online college courses. With no deadlines, students could quickly fall behind. Learners must set their own goals and deadlines to make progress toward their degrees. Many self-paced programs offer guidelines and suggested timelines for completing courses. Pay careful attention to the maximum time allowed for self-paced online courses.
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Establish a good workspace
While you can complete coursework from anywhere with distance education, creating a good workspace should help you focus. Choose a space with limited distractions, good lighting, and solid ergonomics. You may benefit from changing locations while working, but some people prefer to create a single workspace to focus their attention.
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Use campus resources
Online colleges provide many resources to help students succeed, including online tutoring services and writing centers. Distance learners often get access to library resources and academic advising services. Finally, degree-seekers should research their school's career planning services to transition from college into the workforce.
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Seek help
Distance learners struggling with coursework or the self-paced learning format should reach out for help. Instructors, classmates, and academic advisors all help students identify solutions to their struggles. For example, instructors connect learners with extra course resources, while advisors recommend campus resources.
Types of Online Program Formats
What's the difference between self-paced programs and other online programs? Online courses typically fall under two main formats: synchronous and asynchronous. Self-paced is a type of asynchronous format. All self-paced courses are asynchronous, though not all asynchronous courses are self-paced.
Synchronous
Synchronous online learning incorporates live virtual class sessions at scheduled times, which students are expected to attend and participate in. These online classes resemble a traditional classroom experience except that students use a distance learning platform to attend class and complete and submit assignments remotely.
Asynchronous (Paced)
A paced asynchronous learning format includes lectures, assignments, and projects but with no set meeting times. Instead, learners watch recorded videos and interact with classmates on discussion boards. Unlike a self-paced course, this type of asynchronous class uses instructor-led delivery with set deadlines and a term schedule.
Asynchronous (Self-Paced)
In self-paced courses, learners complete materials without set due dates or live class sessions. However, most self-paced classes set a maximum amount of time to finish the course. Self-paced classes appeal to busy students and working professionals who may have personal or professional obligations.
Interview With a College Expert
Dale Leatherwood
Dale Leatherwood, co-founder of online education concierge service ClearDegree, has more than 20 years of experience in training and higher education, including extensive experience in distance learning for synchronous, asynchronous, and self-paced programs.
Q: What are the main benefits of self-paced programs and courses?
With synchronous and asynchronous learning formats, students typically can't work ahead and finish the class faster. That constraint can hamper students who enroll with a wealth of knowledge. With self-paced learning, students with a high degree of competency in a given subject can quickly test out of the class.
You can finish the material as fast as you want. It's a growing trend in online education, and by far, that's the biggest advantage. You can adjust your learning to the pace that's needed and take either more time or less time. It's all about what you know as opposed to how much work you have done. You are not tied down to the pace of a class or the Carnegie Unit system of credit hours, where professors are required to teach a certain number of classroom hours.
Q: What's the main counsel you provide to students interested in self-guided programs?
Adapt your plan of attack for the level of the class. Education is centered around high school graduates who don't know much coming into college. In a typical program, you start off with easier classes, such as core general education, and then take core courses in your degree path, followed by upper-level classes specific to your degree.
When you get to your junior and senior years, the key to success is pacing correctly, because those are the classes that mean the most toward your degree and your career — and they also are the most difficult. You can't have the same pace with those classes as you do with the easier work. Set goals accordingly based on your path through the degree, and you will be much better off.
Frequently Asked Questions About Self-Paced Online College
Can I do college at my own pace?
Yes. Students can complete college courses at their own pace. In self-paced online college courses, learners do coursework around other obligations. They do not need to follow set meeting times or due dates. Some students complete an entire program through self-paced classes. The format often appeals to working professionals and busy students.
What is the difference between self-paced and instructor-led courses?
An instructor-led class uses a set schedule, with regular assignments and exams throughout the term. In-person and online courses can use the instructor-led format. For example, classes with a syllabus detailing weekly expectations use the instructor-led format. In contrast, self-paced online courses let learners complete material on their schedules, without set deadlines.
Do self-paced courses have completion timelines?
Yes. Self-paced online courses set a maximum time to complete the class. Many programs give learners up to six months to complete self-paced classes. Students must meet all requirements within that time but move through the coursework at their own pace. Enrollees with prior knowledge of the topic often complete self-paced courses sooner.
How much do self-paced courses cost?
The cost of self-paced online courses varies by school and degree level. Students should expect to spend $300-$1,100 per credit for undergraduate classes at four-year institutions. Community colleges often charge lower rates.
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