What is a Virtual University?

<h3 id="section---VirtualUniversityOverview">Virtual University Overview</h3> <p>Online learning has become immensely popular in the 21st century, resulting in the creation of universities that exist solely online. A number of traditional schools also offer an online option now for students who wish to pursue a degree but cannot attend courses in a traditional classroom setting. Read on to learn more about these programs, as well as the technical and educational requirements for gaining entry. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutVirtualUniversities">Important Facts About Virtual Universities</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Prerequisites </td><td> High school diploma or equivalent</td></tr> <tr><td>Degree Levels </td><td> Certificate, Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate</td></tr> <tr><td>Common Courses </td><td> Statistics, accounting, project management, enterprise modeling</td></tr> <tr><td>Continuing Education </td><td> In addition to degree programs, online universities also offer courses that satisfy CE credits for working professionals</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---ClassesOfferedAtAVirtualUniversity">Classes Offered at a Virtual University</h3> <p>Courses that are offered at a virtual university are either mentored or led by an instructor. A student attending a virtual university interacts with professors and peers through online forums, chat rooms and web-based course delivery systems. At an online school, students can take online classes in Internet and tech, journalism and writing, business and finance and courses in graphic arts. </p> <h3 id="section---CertificatesAndDegrees">Certificates and Degrees</h3> <p>A student can earn a certificate or degree entirely online. For example, the University of Maryland University College, accredited by the Commission on Higher Education, offers both graduate and undergraduate majors and minors in a variety of subjects online, such as accounting, criminal justice, English and history. </p> <h3 id="section---TechnicalRequirements">Technical Requirements</h3> <p>Students interested in attending a virtual university should first check to see if their computer systems and web-based software applications meet the technological requirements. Many colleges, such as Penn State University, give a list of computer system requirements. Many colleges require a student to have access to a printer, a full duplex sound card, speakers and microphone, and a monitor that will properly display the web-based learning applications that the school uses.</p>