• Accounting*+
• Applied Clinical Research
• Business Administration*+
• Business of Golf & Resort Management
• Canadian Payroll Management*+
• Creative, Critical & Design Thinking
• Digital Marketing
• Foundations of Analytics*
• Health and Social Service Skill Development 
• Health Informatics
• Health Information Management 
• Health Information Systems
• Human Resources Management*+
• Marketing*
• Metallurgy of Iron & Steel
• Professional Addiction Education
• Risk Management*
• Web Design

* Courses in these programs are also offered in person. Programs may be completed by combining formats.

 + Courses in these programs may require a final proctored exam. Students have the option of writing at McMaster University or at a university or college in their area.

Find out more about the online formats:

Online Formats

Online Self-study (OSS)

• You should expect to allocate approximately nine to twelve hours per week to complete your work, but you don’t need to log on at a specific time.
• Assignments are due on specified dates throughout the course duration.
• Online courses comprise of a series of mandatory assignments, research papers or case studies valued at 40% of the final mark, as well as a comprehensive final examination worth 60% of the final mark.
• Final examinations are in-person proctored exams. Students have the option of writing at McMaster University or at a university or college in their area.
• Courses are designed for you to learn at your own pace without having to be online at a specific time.
• Courses use McMaster’s online learning management system called Avenue to Learn (A2L) to access course materials, including course notes, instructional videos and electronic readings, practice exercises/problems, formal hand-in assignments, and other course resources. Most courses make use of discussion boards, so as to provide opportunities for peer-to-peer dialogue, group dialogue and instructor-to-group/student communication. A2L is also used for assignment submission and feedback. A2L is web-based and can be accessed from any internet connection.
• You have access to a facilitator to support your learning, as required. The facilitator marks all assignments and provides feedback where needed.
• Courses are made “live” in A2L 3 days prior to course start date. A pre-course email with information on the course, course materials, etc. will be sent approximately one week before the course start date.
• (ACC courses) Students have up to five (5) months to complete an online self-study course, but can work ahead of schedule to complete a course at a faster pace.

Considerations for Online Self-study (OSS)

• You are able to work independently.
• You can keep yourself on task to complete a project.
• You are able to learn with little, if any, peer discussions.
• You are able to commit to nine to twelve hours per week for course readings, exercises, case studies, assignments, etc.
• You are able to read the textbook (and the assignments) on your own and work through the concepts.
• You are comfortable asking for clarification when needed and expressing yourself in written form through email or a discussion board.
• You have a quiet place to complete your work.
• You are comfortable using technology.
• You have access to a computer and the internet.

Online Format (O)

• Teaching methods include weekly readings, facilitated discussion boards, videos, narrated PowerPoint slides, group and individual projects/assignments. You will be interacting with your classmates and your instructor each week.
• You should expect to allocate approximately six to eight hours per week to complete your work but you don’t need to log on at a specific time.
• A pre-course email with information on the course, course materials, etc. will be sent approximately one week before the course start date.
• Courses are made “live” in A2L 3 days prior to course start date.

Considerations for Taking an Online Course (O)

• You are good at keeping yourself on task to complete a project.
• You are comfortable asking for clarification when needed and expressing yourself in written form through email or a discussion board.
• You are able to read the textbook (and the assignments) on your own and understand the concepts.
• You are able to work independently.You have a quiet place to complete your work.
• You are comfortable using technology.