Frequently Asked Questions

What is unique about Hawai‘i Pacific University’s online degree and certificate programs?

HPU’s online programs provide individuals anywhere with the opportunity to take HPU courses leading to a degree or certificate using the Internet and the World Wide Web. Our distance learning courses are highly Web-based and interactive. These programs replicate existing on-campus programs.

The courses taught in our online programs are:

• A part of the University’s regular curriculum
• Taught exclusively or primarily online via use of the Internet
• One that does not require you to be physically present in a classroom on campus, but may require you to periodically go to a specified site for examinations or other course-related purposes
• Characterized by online delivery of the majority of course content and student/instructor interaction including, but not limited to, lectures, readings, discussions, quizzes, exams, chat and e-mail.

Should I take online courses?

Success as a distance learner depends on special personal characteristics. Before deciding to take an online courses and becoming a distance learner, ask yourself:

• Am I a self-directed learner?
• Am I self-motivated?
• Am I goal-oriented?
• Am I a good reader?
• Do I learn better from reading rather than listening?
• Am I able to follow written directions in completing complex tasks?
• Am I comfortable with technology?
• Am I able to work independently?
• Am I able to prioritize my workload?
• Am I able to stay on task without supervision?
• Am I able to judge my own progress?
• Am I able to move from one task to another without immediate instructor feedback?
• Do I have good writing skills?

If you answered "yes" to these questions, you will probably be successful in completing online courses and be a good distance learner. If you don't feel comfortable as a distance learner, you may wish to consider attending HPU's regular on-campus programs. Use the Graduate Programs or the Colleges and Schools links found in the top Academics of the page to learn more about our various on-campus programs. Also visit the Admissions link located at the top of the page for detailed information about admissions to these programs.

Is it easier to take a course online rather than the traditional classroom version?

HPU’s online courses require students to respond to all posted assignments and participate regularly. As in traditional, face-to-face courses, you should expect to spend a considerable amount of time studying outside of class. While time requirements for individual students and courses may vary considerably, a typical three semester credit course will generally require a minimum of nine to twelve hours of study per week.

What kind of Internet skills do I need in order to take an HPU online course?

Students are expected to be comfortable using the Internet prior to the beginning of the term in which they take online courses. You need to be able to do the following:

• Customize your browser
• Send and receive e-mail
• Send and receive file attachments from e-mail
• Paste text into an e-mail message
• Participate in discussion forums (post messages)
• Download and complete forms online
• Download and install software
• Run applications
• Create and save files
• Copy, move, and delete files
• Create directories
• Perform general and specialized searches.

Our online courses are not designed to teach you how to use software, manage files, e-mail, the Internet or navigate the World Wide Web. Rather, you must have these skills before registering in the online courses.

What kind of equipment and software should I have in order to take an online course at HPU?

You are expected to own or have regular access to a microcomputer, recommended peripherals, and software. Recommended computer and software requirements are provided in the computer requirements information. See the Center for Distance Education web page Enrolling in Classes for the computer requirements. Specialized software needed for online courses will, in most cases, be available free of charge by downloading it from the Internet. You must have reliable access to the Internet. Dial-in access is available through an HPU Internet System Account for those students located on the island of O'ahu.

How often are courses in the online programs offered and what courses will be offered?

HPU’s extensive year round academic calendar offers you the opportunity to take an online course in most major terms. You can anticipate that courses required in online programs will be scheduled on a regular basis so that you could graduate in a length of time similar to the time it would take to complete a traditional, in the classroom, program. Use the Academic Calendar and Schedule of Online Courses links located in the top banner of this page to view the terms and online courses offered by HPU during the academic year. .

How long do I have to complete an online course?

Students are expected to complete the course within the established period that the course is offered (i.e., Term 1 (October - December), Term 2 (January - March), Term 3 (April - June), or Term 4 (July - September)). However, in some eCourses you may be allowed to work at your own pace within this schedule. Other eCourses may not be self-paced and involve continuous online interaction with your instructor. Most HPU online courses offered are structured similarly to in-class courses and are not correspondence courses.