Graham School currently offers nine online certificate programs comprised of the same curriculum and instructors as our on-ground programs and several stand-alone online creative writing classes. Our online certificate programs and courses allow you to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills under the expert direction of instructors and those working in the field while interacting with other University of Chicago students and with course instructors.
When you take an online course at the Graham School, you’ll get the same information, same rigor, same instructors as you do in the face-to-face classes. The difference is that you’ll interact with them in a virtual classroom rather than a physical one. Individual courses differ in their structure, but in general, you’ll have access to your syllabus and assignments through the University’s online learning management system (LMS), called “Canvas,” which allows you to access all applicable course materials, assignments, quizzes, and projects, and to communicate with your instructor and classmates electronically.
Like our face-to-face courses, the Graham School’s online courses emphasize critical thinking, discussion, and project-based learning throughout its curriculum.
No. In most online courses and all certificate courses, you will have face-to-face contact with your instructor and the other students during the “synchronous” classroom sessions, during which you’ll participate in a live discussion online via a technology called Zoom. Some programs have the option of combining online courses with face-to-face courses, depending on your schedule and interests. Check the program brochure for more information. Depending upon your program, you have the option of doing some of your courses online and some in a traditional face-to-face format, depending on your schedule.
That depends upon the program. In general, you’ll spend at least as much time on an online course as you would in a face-to-face class. For some programs much of the material will be delivered as readings and written responses to questions or online discussions. Typically, students spend about 5-6 hours a week working on the course.
No, not at all. The learning management system, Canvas, used by the University of Chicago is very user friendly. You do need some basic computer skills, however, such as the ability to conduct a basic search on the web using a browser, download software from the Internet, to send and receive emails, open attachments, and save documents in Word, Excel, and as PDFs. It may take a few minutes when you get started to learn how to use the online discussion boards and synchronous class meeting spaces, but there will be good instructions along the way for using the technology until you get used to it.
The University’s “Canvas” site is a great place to review online tutorials in case you get stuck, or want to learn a more advanced feature of the system.
Some courses have text books, but others do not. The required materials and texts are listed in the course syllabus for each course, which you’ll receive once you register for the course. If a textbook is required, the book will be ordered to the Gleacher Bookstore (liberal arts courses only) or you can purchase the book independently.
When you register for a course, you will receive an email with information about how to access your materials. You will either use your CNet ID, which you will claim through the university and will create an ID and password, or the email address you registered under. You’ll receive more information about this process once you’re accepted into your program.
At a minimum, you will need the following hardware and software to participate in the Graham School’s online programs:
All Courses:
Synchronous Sessions:
First make sure your headphones are plugged into the proper jack; also check that the master volume setting on your computer is not muted. You can check this by right clicking on the small speaker icon on the lower right corner of your desktop. If you have verified that your volume is on and are still having trouble with audio, check to make sure the speaker icon on the top of the synchronous session screen is green. Click on the down arrow next to the icon to adjust your volume.
First make sure your microphone is plugged into the appropriate jack. Next ask the host if the microphone rights for participants have been turned on.
This is usually browser or cache related. You might also try logging out and logging back into Canvas as well as shutting down your computer and restarting.
Enter the search phrase “how do I enter my cache [insert computer model]” in a Google search.
Make sure you are using one of the recommended browsers, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or Safari. If you are and you are still having problems, try emptying your cache.
Please make sure you are using one of the recommended browsers. Also, if you are using a recommended browser and are still having problems, try emptying the cache on your computer.
You can call IT Services at 773.702.5800 (option 4) or email them at canvas@uchicago.edu. Their hours of operation are 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Central Time.
You can reset your password here.
The permissions on your CNET account may need to be adjusted. Please leave a message with your program staff.
This may differ slightly from program to program, but contact information for the course instructor can usually be found on the syllabus in the Canvas course.
This may differ from program to program, but due dates can be found in the Canvas course, whether on the syllabus, the assignment posting, or weekly PowerPoint presentations.
Contact the program manager immediately to alert them to the situation. They will be able to reset your access to the test/quiz.
Click on the Library Reserves tab in the toolbar on the left of the Canvas site. This will take you to the library site.
*Please Note: If you are using a Mac you may have difficulty accessing the items. Click on the tab on the left‐hand toolbar of the reserves site labeled "Problems viewing reserve items on a Mac?"