Online students have the opportunity to blend the richness of being a student at MSU with ongoing opportunities through their current work, and live in locations across the United States and around the world, and typically continue their employment while also completing their doctoral studies. Online students are not eligible for guaranteed funding, but may be considered for teaching or research assistantships as available funding allows. 

Online students are encouraged to avail themselves of one or more opportunities to experience the MSU campus environment, by visiting campus at a time that is most beneficial for the advancement of their program goals. This may include attending part or all of a course in person, participating in research with one’s advisor, or taking advantage of other on-campus activities. Students engage in classroom, research, and social activities alongside their peers in the On-campus mode, who attend in-person on MSU’s campus.  

Online students typically enroll in 1-2 courses (3-6 credit hours) per semester in Fall, Spring, and Summer.   

Sample Year 1 Course Schedule 

Sample Course Syllabi

You can view sample course syllabi. The actual syllabi will vary each time the course is offered.