What is online
A number of Porter's graduate programs and degree-completion tracks run fully online, along with many individual undergraduate courses each term — especially general education and some upper-division electives. A few certificates are fully online. Full hands-on undergraduate majors keep their labs, studios, and clinicals on campus by design; those cannot be done at a distance.
Synchronous vs. asynchronous
Asynchronous courses have deadlines but no set meeting time — you work through modules on your own schedule within a week. Synchronous courses have a scheduled live session (video) you attend in real time. The class search labels each. Mixing the two in a term is fine; a full load of asynchronous courses needs real self-discipline.
How hybrid works
A hybrid course replaces some in-person meetings with online work — a lecture becomes a recorded module, a lab meets in person but prep and analysis happen online, discussion moves to a forum. It is not "half the work"; it trades seat time for structured independent work, and students who treat the online portion as optional fall behind fast.
The support is the same
Online and hybrid students get the same tutoring, writing center, library research help, advising, counseling (telehealth), accessibility services, and career services — most available by video or chat. Online tutoring and research consultations have their own posted hours. Use them; distance is not a reason to go it alone.
Technology and expectations
Your issued laptop, the university software, and reliable internet cover the requirements. Courses expect a working camera and microphone for synchronous sessions and proctored exams. Some online courses use remote proctoring for exams — the syllabus says so, and there is a process for a testing accommodation.
Is it for you
Online works well for disciplined, self-directed students, working adults, and anyone whose schedule cannot fit a fixed classroom. It works poorly for students who need the structure of showing up somewhere and the accountability of a room. Be honest about which you are before you build a term around it.
Residency and aid
Online credits from Porter count exactly like in-person credits toward your degree and the residency rule. Financial aid treats them the same as long as your program is aid-eligible. An occasional online course to fit a schedule is a normal, sound choice.
Fictional information
UW–Porter Falls is a work of parody. Every office, person, building, phone number and statistic on this page is invented; nothing here describes a real institution or a service you can actually contact.