You’ve decided to go back to school. You’ve found a program that fits your goals. However, you’re not familiar with the language of online programs and you start to wonder what you’re reading, for example a program description might state “fully asynchronous delivery with an immersive capstone and LMS-based collaboration”.
What does any of that actually mean? And more importantly, does this program work for your life?
Online graduate education has its own vocabulary, and no one hands you a dictionary when you start researching programs. This glossary is designed to fix that. Below, you’ll find plain-English definitions for the most common terms you’ll encounter while exploring programs, so you can evaluate your options with confidence, ask better questions during an advising call and know exactly what to expect on day one.
Delivery Format: How Your Courses Are Taught
The most fundamental question about any online program is how and when the learning happens.
Online
A program or course delivered entirely over the internet, with no requirement to physically travel to campus. “Online” is the broad category; other terms below describe how that online experience is structured. At Pitt Online, fully online programs let you complete your degree from anywhere in the U.S. — your home, your office or wherever you learn best.
Also called: Distance learning, remote learning, e-learning
Asynchronous
Coursework that does not happen at a fixed, scheduled time. You access lectures, readings and assignments on your own schedule — usually within a weekly window — rather than logging in at a specific hour. Asynchronous learning is the format most online graduate students prefer because it accommodates work schedules, time zone differences and unpredictable weeks. Many Pitt Online programs use a primarily asynchronous format, meaning you can complete the week’s work when it fits your life, not when it fits a classroom clock.
Also called: Async, self-paced (partial overlap)
Synchronous
Coursework that happens in real time, at a scheduled time. This can mean live video lectures, virtual office hours or group discussions that everyone attends simultaneously. Some programs blend synchronous and asynchronous elements, for example, primarily async coursework with optional live Q&A sessions or required group check-ins once per term.
Also called: Live sessions, real-time learning
Hybrid
A program that combines online coursework with required in-person components. The in-person element might be clinical rotations, lab work or skills assessments that cannot be replicated online. Hybrid is not the same as “mostly online” — it specifically means you will need to be physically present at some point. Always confirm the location, frequency and duration of in-person requirements before enrolling in a hybrid program.
Also called: Blended learning
Immersion
A short, intensive in-person experience that is part of an otherwise online program. Immersions typically last a few days to a week and are designed for activities that are better done face-to-face: simulations, team projects, skills demonstrations or networking with faculty and peers. Some programs require immersions; others are optional.
Also called: Residency, intensive
Program Structure: How Your Degree Is Built
Curriculum
The full set of courses, requirements and learning experiences that make up your degree program. When a program page lists required courses, electives and practicum hours, that’s the curriculum. Reviewing a program’s curriculum in detail — not just the title — is one of the most important steps in choosing the right degree.
Credit Hours
The unit used to measure coursework. Most master’s degrees require 30–42 credit hours; doctoral programs typically require 60 or more. Each credit hour generally represents one hour of instruction per week over a standard term (plus additional work outside of class). Understanding the total credit hours required helps you estimate how long your program will take and what it will cost.
Also called: Credits, units
Capstone Project
A culminating academic experience at or near the end of a graduate program, designed to integrate everything you’ve learned and apply it to a real-world problem or question. Capstones take different forms depending on the field — a research paper, a policy analysis, a systems implementation plan or a portfolio — but the common thread is that they demonstrate graduate-level mastery. A strong capstone also serves as a professional portfolio piece. Unlike a thesis, a capstone typically does not require original academic research; it focuses on applied knowledge.
Thesis
An original research project that demonstrates the ability to identify a research question, review existing literature, collect and analyze data, and contribute new knowledge to a field. Theses are more common in research-focused programs and are evaluated by a faculty committee. Many professional graduate programs (like the ones available through Pitt Online) use capstone projects instead of theses, as the emphasis is on applied professional skills rather than academic research.
Stackable Credentials
A sequence of credentials — typically graduate certificates followed by a master’s degree — designed so that earlier coursework counts toward later credentials. Instead of committing to a full master’s degree up front, stackable pathways let you earn a graduate certificate first, build skills and then apply those credits toward a longer program if you choose to continue. This approach lowers the initial time and financial commitment while still moving you forward professionally.
Also called: Stackable degrees, credential laddering
Practical Experience: Learning by Doing
Internship
A structured, supervised work experience in a professional setting that is part of your academic program. Internships are typically short-term (one semester or summer), may be paid or unpaid, and are designed to build specific skills and professional connections in your field. Some graduate programs require internships; others offer them as elective credit. If career readiness is a priority for you, ask programs directly how they support internship placement.
Also called: Practicum (partial overlap)
Practicum
A hands-on, supervised field experience embedded in a graduate program — common in health care, education, counseling and social work. Unlike internships, practicums are more tightly integrated into academic requirements and often include structured reflection, supervisor feedback and faculty oversight. For clinical programs (like nursing or health informatics), the practicum is where you apply classroom learning in real patient or professional care environments.
Also called: Field placement, clinical experience
Externship
A short-term, job-shadowing-style experience that allows students to observe professionals at work in a specific role or setting. Externships are less intensive than internships or practicums — typically days or weeks rather than a full semester — and may not involve hands-on work. They’re valuable for exploring a career path or building a professional network before committing to a full internship or employment.
Also called: Job shadow
Preceptor
An experienced professional who supervises and mentors a student during a clinical or field experience. Common in nursing and health informatics programs, a preceptor provides on-the-job guidance, evaluates competency and helps students bridge the gap between academic knowledge and professional practice. If you’re in a health care program, understanding how preceptors are assigned — and whether the program helps match you with one — is an important question to ask.
Technology: The Platforms That Power Online Learning
LMS (Learning Management System)
The digital platform where your online courses live. An LMS is where you access lectures, submit assignments, participate in discussion boards, check grades and communicate with instructors and classmates. The University of Pittsburgh uses Canvas as its primary LMS. (view our demo Canvas course here to try it for yourself.) If you’ve never taken an online course before, familiarizing yourself with Canvas before your first term can reduce the learning curve significantly.
Also called: Course platform, learning platform
Canvas
The LMS used by the University of Pittsburgh. Canvas organizes course content by week or module, making it easy to navigate what’s due and when. Students access Canvas through a web browser or the mobile app — meaning you can keep up with coursework from your phone during a lunch break or between shifts. Pitt provides technical support for Canvas access throughout your enrollment.
Discussion Board
An asynchronous, text-based space within your LMS where students and instructors post, read and respond to one another — similar to a structured online forum. Discussion boards are how many online programs replace the “raising your hand in class” dynamic. You’ll typically be required to post an original response to a prompt and reply to at least one or two classmates each week. Quality discussion boards are one of the most effective ways to build relationships with peers in an online program.
Also called: Discussion forum, online discussion
Proctoring
A method of supervising exams to verify academic integrity. Online proctoring uses your computer’s webcam and screen-sharing software to monitor you during a timed assessment, replacing the role of an in-person proctor in a testing center. Some programs use third-party proctoring services (like Honorlock or ProctorU); others rely on honor systems or open-note formats. Ask programs how assessments are administered before you enroll if this is a concern.
Also called: Remote proctoring, online proctoring
Admissions and Financial Terms Worth Knowing
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
The federal form used to determine eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study programs. Pitt Online students are eligible to apply for federal financial aid, and completing your FAFSA early is strongly recommended for maximum consideration. The FAFSA opens each October for the following academic year.
Also called: Federal student aid application
Per-Credit Pricing
A tuition model where you pay for each individual credit hour rather than a flat term rate. Common in graduate programs, per-credit pricing gives part-time students flexibility — you only pay for the courses you take each term. Understanding per-credit cost is the most accurate way to estimate the total cost of a graduate program.
Also called: Per-credit tuition, credit-hour rate
Tuition Assistance
Funding provided by an employer to help cover the cost of graduate education. Many employers — including hospitals, school districts and corporations — offer formal tuition assistance or reimbursement programs as a benefit. Before enrolling, check with your HR department: your Pitt Online education may be partially or fully covered.
Also called: Employer tuition reimbursement, tuition benefits
Signaling Quality
Accreditation
The formal recognition by an official body that a school or program meets established standards of academic quality. Accreditation matters because it determines whether your degree will be recognized by employers and licensing boards. The University of Pittsburgh is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education — one of the most recognized and respected forms of accreditation in American higher education. Program-specific accreditation (such as CAHIIM for health informatics) adds another layer of quality assurance.
Also called: Regional accreditation, programmatic accreditation
You’re More Ready Than You Think
The language of online graduate education can feel like a barrier — but it’s not. Every term above describes something designed to help you succeed, whether that’s the flexibility of asynchronous learning, the professional context of a practicum or the technology that connects you to your professors and peers.
If you still have questions — about a specific term, a specific program or whether Pitt Online is the right fit for your situation — connect with us!