Welcome to UNM Online
Online students enjoy scheduling flexibility, deciding when and where learning takes place, and commuting less.
Accelerated Online Programs offer online degrees at a flat tuition rate, regardless of residency.
Degree completion programs allow students to complete their education by taking online courses that, combined with previously earned credits, may lead to a bachelor's degree.
Once you are admitted to UNM, register for courses on your registration date by logging into my.unm.edu.
The Basics
Online Courses
UNM offers for-credit, academic courses taught online by faculty. In the Schedule of Online Courses, section-specific descriptions provided by instructors go beyond the information available in LoboWeb and the UNM Catalog.
Regulations
The nature of online education allows UNM to deliver academic content beyond New Mexico’s borders. There are state and federal regulations in place to ensure students are protected and receive a quality education. Legal provides an overview of accreditation and compliance information critical for online students.
Degree Programs
Most degree programs are fully online. On occasion, a few classes may have one or more special synchronous meetings during the semester. Online students, courses, and degrees are supported by UNM Online. Within each UNM Online degree program description, departmental contact information is located on the right side of the web page. Students may inquire directly with the appropriate academic department for program admission requirements. Accelerated Online Programs offer quality-reviewed 8-week courses packaged into fully and partially online degrees.
Tuition and Fees
Accelerated Online Programs (AOPs) have special tuition and fee rates. Non-AOP degree programs as well as individual online courses are assessed at institutional tuition rates.
Admission and Registration
Before registering, a student must apply to UNM. To register, students use their official UNM NetID and password to log into LoboWeb. UNM Information Technologies has instructions for establishing a student's NetID and password.
The Online Environment
Accessing an Online Course: The Canvas Learning Management System (LMS)
Beginning with the Summer 2022 semester, online courses became accessible through the Canvas learning management system. Online courses are available in Canvas starting at 12:00 a.m. on the first day of the part of the term offered. Students use email, discussion boards, web conferencing, and other multimedia technologies to access course content and interact with instructors and classmates. For help, visit the Canvas Support page where you can find self-help information or access to open a support ticket. You can also reach Canvas Support 24/7 by phone at 505-277-0857, 1-877-688-8817, or by email at canvas@unm.edu.
Course Cycle
Some online courses follow the university's semester cycle with firm start and end dates. The Spring, (January to May), and Fall, (August to December), semesters are for 16 weeks, while the Summer, (roughly June and July), is for 8 weeks.
Courses designated as Accelerated Online Courses (AOPs) follow 8-week semester cycles — 1H or 2H. During the Summer semester, AOPs follow a 4-week semester cycle. See the following Part-of-Term section for an explanation of these cycles.
Part-of-Term
Within each semester, part-of-term identifies the number of weeks a course is offered.
A full-term course is offered for the entire semester. That is, 16 weeks in Spring and Fall and 8 weeks in the Summer.
A first half — or 1H — course is offered the first half of a semester, while a second half — or 2H — course is offered during the second half. In Spring and Fall, the instructional period for 1H and 2H courses is 8 weeks each. In the Summer, the instructional period for 1H and 2H courses is 4 weeks each. First-half and second-half 8-week courses provide content equivalent to a 16-week full-term course.
On occasion, intersession (late-starting) courses are occasionally offered in the Spring and Fall. While instructional periods vary, late-starting courses are scheduled between the last Friday of the finishing term and the Sunday before the starting term.
Types of Online Courses
Synchronous Online - An online synchronous course has regularly scheduled online meetings. To attend, students log into UNM's Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) on regularly scheduled days and times. Scheduled meetings may be held using Zoom or another videoconferencing tool.
Asynchronous Online - An online asynchronous course has no, or a very limited number of, scheduled meetings. Often for orientation, exams, labs, or presentations, the meetings may be virtual, or require students to attend a physical location.
Course Information
The Schedule of Online Courses features courses UNM Main Campus offers online. Descriptions include course information not available in LoboWeb or the UNM Catalog. Faculty supply the course details using a course information form. Students direct questions specific to a particular online course section to the instructor. Within UNM Online's Schedule of Online Courses, an instructor's email address is displayed in the expanded course description.
Computer Labs
For students able to come to campus, UNM Computer Labs are available. Off-campus resources may be available at local libraries, workforce training centers, as well as continuing education, and regional higher education campuses.
Proctored Exams
An online instructor could require supervised exams. There are several proctoring methods used to meet the requirement.
Best Practices for Online Learning
Technology Recommendations
To ensure the best possible learning experience, owning, or having reliable access to, a modern personal computer with virus protection is recommended. Online courses perform optimally on high-speed internet, particularly with cable and DSL connections.
Independence
To be successful in online education, self-direction, and time management skills are a must.
Participation
Students are expected to interact with instructors and classmates. Class participation is often required and graded.
Study Space
An optimal environment is a dedicated area equipped with a reliable, modern computer, connected to high-speed internet.
Time-to-Study
Online courses are rigorous. Minimum study time is determined by a course’s length. Full semester, or sixteen-week, courses require a minimum of two hours of study time per credit hour, per week. Many online courses are offered in an eight-week format requiring a weekly minimum study time of four hours for each credit hour enrolled. For example, a three-credit-hour course offered in an eight-week format will require a minimum of twelve hours of study time each week.
Managing Sound
A quiet learning environment is best. During a web conference, for example, participants can hear each other’s background sounds. Televisions, music streams, family members, pets, and places of business can be disruptive. In managing unwanted sound; it is beneficial to use a microphone-equipped headset with a USB or Bluetooth connection. Additionally, participants have the option to mute their microphones when necessary.
Conduct and Etiquette
UNM's Student Code of Conduct policies apply to all students, regardless of their learning environment. Students are expected to contribute to a positive learning environment.
Contact Us
UNM Online staff answer questions about the university's online education system. At online.unm.edu, a chatbot is available for 24/7 inquiries. Simply click the speech balloon icon on the bottom left. Questions the chatbot cannot answer will be addressed in 1-2 business days by UNM Online staff.
Contact UNM Online
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., MST
Web: online.unm.edu
Email: online@unm.edu
Phone: Albuquerque: (505) 277-9000 or Toll free: (866) 869-6040
- Virtual Advisement Hours: Join us on Zoom for Virtual Advisement Hours Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to Noon (Mountain Time). Meeting ID: 967 7118 3893
For immediate assistance with an online course, UNM's Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) has 24/7 phone support:
- Albuquerque: (505) 277-0857
- Toll-free: (877) 688-8817
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