Online (distance) education
Cathy Butler, Nursing graduate
From Ontario to BC
When Cathy Butler (Nursing) came to UVic for convocation, it was the first time the Sarnia, Ontario, resident had been on campus as a student. As an RN, the post-RN BSN distance program was a good fit for Cathy. She had been working in the field for 20 years and needed a longer time period to complete her degree.
Cathy completed the entire program by distance education. She says, "I found the quality of courses and teaching incredible. Every course was eye opening and challenging – mind expanding and extremely rewarding. The instructors were always accessible and extremely helpful. For a mature student busy with family I was able to get help when I needed it. The teachers and professors always treated me with great respect."
"Practicum placements were incredible. Being a health care nurse you sometimes have a narrow view of health care," she continues. "I was able to branch out and experience a lot of other avenues -- public health, a methadone clinic, high-risk infants, children’s aid societies. I got to understand the community picture instead of just the hospital portion, and how it all ties together."
"I really appreciated how UVic seemed to make it possible with encouragement all along. Everybody was very helpful, especially the Onlinehelp desk. Although I was studying from a distance, I never felt far away."
Learn more about our distance programs (see below) and stay in your community while you earn your degree.
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Tammy Thielman is a 3rd year Distance Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) student from Salmon Arm, BC, where she lives with husband John and their three children on 20 acres. Tammy's area of interest is mental health and she plans to complete her BSW and obtain a Master's degree - all from UVic, her favourite university. Tammy is just one of the many mature students with families who is able to complete a meaningful degree while staying in her home community, where her family has deep roots. Tammy's blog |
Learning online
Our online programs are designed for learners combining studies with work and family responsibilities. You’ll study with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures and locations without leaving your community.
We are Canadian leaders in distance education, using emerging technology to deliver our innovative programs. The new child and youth care distance lab course is just one of the ways we’re using technology to serve the needs of our students.
"The quality of the program is amazing. I feel so fortunate and lucky to be here. I didn’t know beforehand how much better this social work program was compared to others across Canada. Doing it by distance allowed me to stay in my community and still experience what UVic has to offer." -- Alison Clancy.
All of our schools offer full programs and specialized courses through Distance Education Services. You’ll have the same courses available as on campus, technological support, and the flexibility to fit your learning into your daily life. Learn more about how we support our distance students.
Study part-time
Many of our flexible distance programs can be completed part-time. We help you stay in your community and still stay on track with your professional development.
"Online course work for my Master of Nursing allowed me to take a semester off for maternity leave. When I had my baby I was able to breastfeed while working online at home." -- Sarah Mellet
Student
experiences
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Hear some of our students' experiences with distance learning.
Other videos:
What will it be
like to
study online?
“My nursing instructors were always accessible and extremely helpful. For a mature student busy with family, you could get help when you needed it. I was treated with great respect by my teachers and professors. I really appreciated how UVic seemed to make it possible, with encouragement all along. Everybody was very helpful. The online computer help desk is incredible, always helpful and fast. They were amazing, particularly Maresh.” -- Cathy Butler
Our online learners never feel alone. Distance learning formats help make the learning experience engaging, fun and productive.
How courses work
How courses work
Online interactions are usually a large part of the course experience. You’ll participate in ongoing discussions by posting ideas and receiving feedback from your instructor and classmates. Debates, case studies and role-plays are some of the learning activities you may take part in.
Most distance courses include print or audio/visual content provided on a clearly organized course website or web-classroom which is complemented and enriched by discussions and other learning activities . The specific content and approaches to learning will vary from course to course and program to program. In some cases real-time meetings through web-conferencing, chat or other media are used in campus-based and distance programs.
We use a variety of online course management systems to deliver our distance courses. You’ll use online course management systems to:
- review your course notes
- join discussion forums
- submit your assignments
- keep track of your grades
- link to online readings
How much time will I need?
How much time will I need?
You should plan for about nine hours of study time per week per course, with a minimum of three hours spent online. This can be adjusted up or down as necessary to achieve your goals, and will vary for every learner and course. Check out some time management tips to help you set goals.
Support
Support
The Onlinehelp Desk will help if you need help accessing your course website or interacting with your instructor or classmates online. There’s also a dedicated library staff for distance students. They’ll help you carry out online research and locate material.
The Distance Education Services site has all sorts of tips, including how to set up your study space. Learn more about support for distance students.
Online and
distance
programs
C
| Program | Department(s) | Type | Delivery method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child and Youth Care | School of Child and Youth Care | Bachelor | On-campus, Distance |
| Child and Youth Care in Indigenous Communities | School of Child and Youth Care | Diploma | On-campus, Distance |
| Community Development | School of Public Administration | Masters | On-campus, Distance |
Distance, online, distributed,
blended…
what does it mean?
In HSD, we use the terms “distance”’ or “online learning”’ to describe courses that are delivered to students outside the face-to-face classroom environment.
"Distance education" is a general term that’s used to define a number of program delivery options. While many students who register in "distance"or "online" courses do not come to campus, many others are registered in traditional campus-based programs.
Most distance courses include print or audio/visual content provided on a clearly organized course website or web-classroom which is complemented and enriched by discussions and other learning activities. The specific content and approaches to learning will vary from course to course and program to program. In some cases real-time meetings through web-conferencing, chat or other media are used in campus-based and distance programs.
Distributed learning is another term for distance or online learning.
Blended learning is usually a combination of a face-to-face component of the program and distance delivery.
