• Accounting*+
• Advanced Strategic Marketing Techniques
• 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)

• Some courses have a bi-monthly intake.
• Students have up to 5 months to complete an OSS course, but can work ahead of schedule to complete a course at a faster pace.
• Courses are designed for you to learn at your own pace without having to be online at a specific time. 
• You should expect to allocate approximately 9 to 12 hours per week to complete your course work, but you do not need to log on at a specific time.
• Students have access to a course facilitator to support their learning, as required. The course facilitator marks all assignments and provides feedback where needed.
• OSS courses are comprised of a series of evaluations (e.g., quizzes, assignments, research papers, case studies, exams, etc.). 
• OSS courses that contain exams are proctored through Examity, a live remote online proctoring service. Students are responsible for paying the $50 ($36 US) Examity proctor fee. Please refer to your course shell in Avenue to Learn for more details. 
• Assignments are due on specified dates throughout the course duration. 
• For assignments submitted ahead of their due date, course facilitators will provide feedback on a “best efforts basis” within 10 business days, but this turnaround is not guaranteed. 
• Courses use McMaster’s online learning management system called Avenue to Learn. Avenue to Learn is web-based and can be accessed from any internet connection. All course content is accessed through Avenue to Learn. 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. Avenue to Learn is also used for assignment submission and feedback.
• Courses are made “live” in Avenue to Learn 3 days prior to the 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. 
  

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 9-12 hours per week to complete your course work, but you do not 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.