Learning Online FAQs

 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DOING THIS ONLINE?

Online courses are a great way to pursue your degree while working part or full-time, have busy lives or don't live near the University.  And, our online courses allow you to work on assignments it works for you, saving money and time since you don't need to be on campus. 

I Have Never Taken An Online Class. What Should I Expect?

Minnesota State University, Mankato uses D2L Brightspace as the online platform for courses. Our Online Education site provides resources for students to prepare for online learning including a demonstration course in D2L. Technology tools, considerations for online learning, support resources and more are all available - it's highly recommended that students interested in taking online courses review this website before starting.

  • Courses in our program are asynchronous, which means you don't need to be online at a specific time.
  • Students will gain knowledge through introductions by the professor, reading materials, online resources, and discussion with peers.
  • Some courses have exams or quizzes; these are open book and typically timed. Other assignment options may include papers and online discussions.
  • The classes encourage all students to utilize evidence-based decision making and apply knowledge gained into clinical practice and other places of employment.

Are Any Visits to Campus Required Throughout the Program?

  • No campus visits are required in the program.
  • Certain courses have outside assignments to be completed during the week; if you work five days a week, you may need to take off time from work. 
    • Information on these assignments is provided within the course syllabus.

How Can I Complete My General Education Requirements Online?

  • You can complete all general education requirements online at Minnesota State Mankato. The list of online courses each semester is posted in the section "Courses in Program". 
  • You can also search for online courses using the following information on the Tips for Course Search page.

If you are completing a course from another institution, and need financial aid for this course, please contact the Campus Hub with the institution name and course number/title, including number of credits. They will help you determine if you need a Common Market Passport or a Consortium Agreement. This process will be completed in conjunction with the Minnesota State Mankato Registrar's Office and can take anywhere from 2–5 weeks. You may need to be registered and pay for the course before the agreement can be complete, and will later be reimbursed through financial aid's normal distribution process.

How will I access my classes online?

Online courses are administered through D2L Brightspace, which is a learning management system.

  • You will log into D2L Brightspace to access online courses: https://mnsu.learn.minnstate.edu/
    • You need your StarID and StarID password to access this site.
    • You typically won't be able to access courses until the first scheduled day of class.

If this is all online, how do i get my textbooks?

Required textbooks can be found through the University Bookstore or by calling the bookstore directly at: 507-389-1649. 

  • First time users need to register online.
  • While used books can be requested online, they may or may not be available.
    • A charge for the books occurs once they are mailed.
    • Shipping and Handling is added.
    • A credit card is needed to purchase online
  • Books can be purchased in person at the Minnesota State Mankato bookstore to avoid shipping and handling charges.

I have more questions - who can i contacT?

If you have any questions, please contact Julie Dittrich, program coordinator, at julie.dittrich@mnsu.edu or 507-389-1041. 

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