Programs and Courses

Online Learning

How to find online education

Online courses are offered as a single class, or as part of an established program. They can be offered with or without credit. All age and skill levels of online activities are available: from pre-K (early childhood), secondary education grades, and higher. Courses are often offered through universities, colleges, and technical schools, but can also be found through private agencies.

Pre-K through secondary education
Higher education

Pre-K through secondary education

More Minnesota students take advantage of online opportunities each year. Currently, more than a dozen school districts in Minnesota offer substantial online learning programs. More than 30 percent of schools offer at least some internet delivered courses. In addition, numerous virtual schools and commercial vendors throughout the country offer online courses. Contact your school district prior to enrolling in online education, not all courses are accepted for credit.

The Online Learning Options Act, MS 124D.095, can be accessed at the Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes' web site.

The Minnesota Department of Education offers information about online learning in Minnesota and publishes a list of approved and certified online learning providers.

Classroom resources

Teachers and parents can find good web-based resources to use in the classroom or at home. Explore useful tools for your virtual or face-to-face classroom along with reviews and descriptions of those sites. Some are free, others are fee-based.

David B. Glick & Associates - Search this collection of website resources by grade level: (Pre-K, K-3, 4-5, 6-8, 9-12+) or by content area such as Science, Technology, Math, and Language.

MN Learning Loop - Student Learning Tools includes activities like puzzles, learning games and applets for students. Each entry includes the title, the appropriate grade level, a description and the web address.

My Life Plan - This interactive website categorizes career planning in four areas: Who Am I? Where Am I Going? How Do I Get There? and How Do I Function Effectively? It allows Minneapolis Public School students to save their profiles.

Higher Education

ISEEK lists Minnesota public and private schools that offer online programs and courses.

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities offer Minnesota Online - A guide to online education which includes thousands of online credit and non-credit courses and over 150 online degree, certificate and diploma programs. Minnesota Online also offers a host of online student resources.

University of Minnesota provides Independent and Distance Learning Courses from the College of Continuing Education - single courses or partial program work is available. Many courses have an extended term, which allows you to work at your own pace for up to nine months.

University of Minnesota - Rural Health Modules
The online Rural Health Modules prepares health professional students for work in rural settings in Minnesota. The modules provide information about the rural lifestyle, rural communities, and the role of health professionals in these settings. The Rural Health Modules are available at no cost to any institution in Minnesota. They were developed at the Academic Health Center at the University of Minnesota and sponsored by the Minnesota Area Health Education Center, University of Minnesota Rural Physician Associate Program, Augsburg College, and the Hibbing Community Dental Clinic.

Search nationwide sites:

elearners.com - Search for online degrees, programs, and courses at online colleges and universities. Find other helpful student resources and a self assessment tool.

E-Learning Guide - Online courses from more than 2,800 colleges and virtual universities. Undergraduate and graduate-level courses, certificates, and degrees collected by USNews.com.

GetEducated.com - This site helps consumers get educated about online learning. Search for a quality online degree. The college directory offers free listings to CHEA-accredited colleges and universities, and bars advertising from fraudulent internet universities.

Online Education Center - Browse by online degree or program. Find courses from universities, colleges, trade schools, and technical schools.