Below are questions frequently received pertaining to online learning and the Drexel PRO Partnership Program. If this list does not contain the information you were looking for or if you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us toll-free at (866) 803-0053 or via e-mail at partners@drexel.edu.
About Us
Can you tell me about Drexel Online?
Drexel Online is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Drexel University offering innovative, Internet-based distance education programs to working professionals and corporations in the US and abroad. To learn more about Drexel Online, please click here.
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Can you tell me about Drexel University?
Drexel University is Philadelphia's technological university and a major, private US academic and research institution. Founded in 1891 by financier Anthony J. Drexel, the university is a recognized leader in the integration of technology in academic education. For more information about Drexel University, please click here.
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Is Drexel accredited? What are Drexel University’s rankings?
Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges & Secondary Schools. This is the highest accreditation authority for colleges in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and other locations overseas. Institutions such as Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, Cornell, New York University, Princeton, and the University of Pennsylvania have the same accreditation. In addition, Drexel programs enjoy the highest professional accreditations in their respective fields. For instance, our MBA programs are accredited by AACSB International, our Nursing programs by NLN, and our programs in library & information science by ALA. Drexel University has many highly ranked programs including several undergraduate engineering programs, an MBA degree program ranked among the best 25 Online MBA programs by the US News & World Report, and an MS program in library and information science ranked among the Top 10 nationally by US News & World Report, with the specialization in Information Systems ranked #1.
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Do you offer the same curricula and degrees as the ones earned on campus?
Yes. The same content and rigorous academic standards apply in both. Our programs are usually taught by the same professors who teach on campus – typically tenured faculty members of Drexel University, with PhD degrees and distinctions for their research and expertise in the subjects they teach. There is no distinction between on-campus and online students. In fact, when you complete your degree, your diploma and university transcript will be the same as those of students who earn their degrees on campus.
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About Your Partnership
What is Drexel PRO?
Drexel PRO is an educational partnership program designed to allow working professionals the convenience of taking courses online with the affordability of reduced tuition rates. Along with your organization, Drexel University Online currently works with over 200 other corporations, health systems, school districts, and professional associations to offer degree programs to their employees and members at special reduced tuition rates. Drexel PRO organizations come from areas all over the country and from a number of different industries including engineering, healthcare, business, public health, clinical research, technology, education, and much more!
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What do I have to do to make sure that I receive my special partner tuition reduction?
When you apply be sure to enter your organization’s partner affiliation code in the appropriate spot on the application. You can find your organization’s partner code on the left hand side of this page.
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I see that Drexel offers tuition reductions to partner students anywhere from 10% to 30% off. How do I know which discount I will receive?
Discounts vary by individual program. You can find out how much of a tuition reduction you will receive by clicking on the Tuition tab at the top of this page. This tab details how much the current tuition rate is, the percentage discount you will receive, and what your actual tuition rate will be for this academic year.
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Applying
Is there an application fee?
No. We have waived application fees for our online students.
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Do you award credit for prior learning experience?
Yes. Drexel University provides credit for prior learning for our Bachelor of Science in General Studies with a minor in Business, Bachelor of Science in General Studies - Individualized Studies, Bachelor of Science in Computing Security and Technology, and the Bachelor of Science in Communication and Applied Technology in the following ways: Transfer credit from other institutions, credit by examination, CLEP examinations, challenge examinations, and portfolio assessments. Once we receive your complete application package, and after review by the Admissions Committee, we will contact you concerning possible credit transfers. Students are evaluated individually and granted credit for courses completed at accredited colleges that are the equivalent to courses offered at Drexel University.
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Can I apply after the application deadline?
Even though we accept applications on a rolling basis, we must receive applications by the application deadline. To consider you for admission in the next available term, please see the program of your choice for application deadlines. In some programs, you may be able to join as a non-matriculated student and then matriculate as soon as you complete your application package. If you are unsure, call us toll-free at (877) 215-0009 or e-mail info@drexel.com.
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Do you offer self-paced, 'correspondence' programs?
No. All our programs have set dates when courses begin and end. Programs follow Drexel University's academic calendar. Students take courses in groups, with homework and assignments due on specified dates. However, students maintain the flexibility to decide when, within a week, they will study their course materials and attend online classes, since class sessions are asynchronous – they do not take place simultaneously for everybody at set times.
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What is a quarter credit? How does it compare to a semester credit?
Most Drexel University programs are structured on the quarter system. This means that we have four, ten-week long terms during the course of one year. Each semester credit is equal to 1.5 quarter credits. For instance, our Bachelor's in Communications and Applied Technology program, which has 180 quarter credits, is equal to 120 semester credits. Likewise, the minimum of 24 quarter credits required for admission to the bachelor's degree program is equal to 16 semester credits. Programs in Drexel University's College of Nursing and Health Professions are structured according to the semester system.
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I have applied and would like to check the status of my application. Who should I contact?
Please contact the Applicant Services Department at (877) 215-0009 (toll-free).
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How It Works
How does it work? What is it like to take an online class?
Taking an online program is easy to understand:
Connecting
A student needs a personal computer with an Internet connection and uses a web browser to access our e-learning environment. Instructional materials come in text, graphics, audio and video formats and are available online 24/7. Students can download and print them as they wish.
Instruction
Instruction is delivered primarily asynchronously (i.e., where the teacher and learner are not physically at the same place at the same time). Students work with materials either on their own or in discussion groups. They interact directly with each other and with the faculty typically through e-mail, threaded discussions (online discussion boards), chat and web-based whiteboard facilities, and some times through voice or video communication during synchronous sessions.
Assignments
All readings, work sessions, assignments and other tasks are pre-specified and monitored on a continuous basis. Written assignments are submitted online. Exams are taken online. Access to grades and feedback from instructors are provided online. Click here for our online demo.
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Who teaches my courses?
Our programs are usually taught by the same professors who teach on campus – typically tenured faculty members of Drexel University, with PhD degrees and distinctions for their research and expertise in the subjects they teach. They follow the same curricula, standards and accreditation as our programs on campus.
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How do I interact with my instructor? How are online discussions conducted?
Interaction
Students interact with their professor on a regular basis using e-mail, t
