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The Regent University Online Experience
Regent University Virginia Beach campus communications building.

What to Expect in an Online Classroom

Your Regent Life Online

Regent University Online allows students, stateside and abroad, to pursue esteemed degrees with the added convenience of choosing when and where to study, and with the same instruction and guided support of the prestigious professors who teach at our campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Our online experience uses Canvas, a user-friendly platform that allows you to access grades, the semester’s course materials, real-time lectures, discussion forums, team projects, and submit completed assignments, quizzes, and exams—all from one central location.

Regent’s online courses have an average class size of 18 students. If students have questions, professors are easily accessible by email, Canvas, or by phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

#1
Best Online Bachelor's Programs in Virginia for 13 Years in a Row U.S. News & World Report, 2025
#1
Best Online Christian College in America, 2024 BibleCollegeOnline.com
Top5
Military Friendly® School Designation: Private offering Doctorate Military Friendly, 2024-25
$24Million
In Institutional Scholarships & Aid for 2023-24
150+
unique, in-demand areas of academic study including disciplines such as cybersecurity, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), nursing and more.
Transfer & Military Friendly
Student typing on his laptop

Online Learning Tips

  • Log in daily to keep on track with announcements, assignments, etc.
  • Be serious about the program and each course.
  • Voice concerns immediately.
  • Use your syllabus to pace yourself and meet deadlines.
  • Utilize all of Regent’s resources.
  • Study online and take notes.
  • Prepare to communicate primarily through writing.
  • Read all notes and materials posted online.
  • Listen, learn, and share your thoughts respectfully.
  • Stay organized and self-motivated.

Online Learning Tools

Regent’s online courses have an average class size of 18 students and the professors are easily accessible by email, Canvas (details below), or by phone.


The following tools are essential for online learning:

A computer with reliable internet access
A laptop or desktop computer that meets the  minimum requirements  of Regent’s IT department with Internet access is required for registration and payment, study, Regent-issued email communication, etc.

Canvas
A user-friendly platform that allows you to access grades, course materials, real-time lectures, discussion forums, team projects, and submit assignments, quizzes, and exams—all from one central location.

MyRegent portal
Your personalized Regent home page on which you may log in to gain access to Canvas, Genisys and your Regent email account.

 

Increase Your Online Success

Regent offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in over 150+ areas of study, so you can select from a wide spectrum of programs.

#1
Best Virginia Online Colleges Forbes, 2024
150+
unique, in-demand areas of academic study including disciplines such as cybersecurity, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), nursing and more.
21:1
Student-to Faculty Ratio
A-
Diversity Ranking Niche, 2022
#1
Best College in Virginia Best Value Schools, 2021

Achieving Online Student Success

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Frequently Asked Questions

Computer & Software Requirements

One of your main considerations for studying online should be the computer and software you’ll need to complete your coursework. University computer labs and most academic departments are Windows/PC-based, therefore assistance on that platform is often more streamlined. However,

Regent’s Information Technology (IT) Department provides support on Windows/PC-based and Macintosh-based computers.

Recommended Configurations

  Desktop Laptop
Processor Intel® Core™ i3 or AMD Ryzen™ 3 Intel® Core™ i3 or AMD Ryzen™ 3
Memory 8GB 8GB
Hard Drive 256GB Solid State Drive or larger 256GB Solid State Drive or larger
Network Connectivity 100/1000MB Ethernet or Wireless 802.11 n/ac/ax
Wireless connectivity is highly recommended for students living in the Commons Residence Halls		 Wireless 802.11 n/ac/ax
Operating System Windows 11 Windows 11
Software Microsoft Office 365 at no cost to Regent Students, Anti-Virus Software Microsoft Office 365 at no cost to Regent Students, Anti-Virus Software
Damage Protection - Regent University highly recommends adding Accidental Damage Coverage. See Warranty & Support below for more information

Purchase the most powerful computer (faster processor, more memory, larger hard drive) you can afford to help ensure your computer will meet your academic needs for years to come.

Your needs will help specify. Laptops provide the flexibility of using the computer almost anywhere. Desktop computers offer more for the money and are usually easier to upgrade.

Regent University does not endorse any specific manufacturer or vendor. However, vendors sometime pass along special offers to Regent University students, staff, and faculty.

The Regent HelpDesk does not provide support for the installation, repair or maintenance of computer hardware, or the installation and configuration of computer software for personal computers. Purchase a computer from a vendor that provides these services.

Computers can slow down overtime and be attacked by malicious software. Here are two free Anti-Virus programs that the university recommends to clean and protect your computer.

  • Microsoft Security Essentials – Windows Defender is built into the latest versions of Windows and helps guard your PC against viruses and other malware. For a PC running an older version of Windows, download Microsoft Security Essentials for free.
  • AVG Anti-Virus Free 

If you’re considering using a Mac, you may want to check with your specific school to see if there are specific compatibility needs. However, most students have no difficulty using a Mac with the recent version of Mac OS (version 10.12 or higher) or a copy of Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac. Chrome or Firefox are recommended for viewing Regent web pages on a Mac.

Yes.

Regent University holds numerous accreditations from bodies including the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Specialty accreditations include American Bar Association (ABA), Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP), American Psychological Association (APA), The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Commission of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Learn more about Regent University accreditations.

Regent has been ranked among Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report for five years (2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024). We were recognized as the #1 Best Accredited Schools for Online Degree Programs by Study.com, 2020.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees: Our programs have been ranked by the U.S. News & World Report as the #1 Best Online Bachelor's Programs in Virginia 10 years in a row (2013-2022). We are also one of only 24 universities nationally “A” rated for comprehensive liberal arts curriculum, according to the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, 2022.

Online Master’s Degrees: The U.S. News & World Report ranked our programs among the Top 5 Best Graduate Online Business (Non-MBA) Programs in Virginia for eight consecutive years and our MBA among the Top 10 Best Online MBA Programs in Virginia. Our programs have also been ranked by it among the Top 5 Best Online Graduate Education Programs in Virginia for 10 years in a row.

Top Military-Friendly University: Regent has been recognized as a Military Friendly Top 5 School by Military Friendly®, 2023-24, and among the Top 10 Best for Vets Colleges: Online & Nontraditional by Military Times, 2020.

Learn more about Regent University’s rankings.

Regent’s annual tuition is nearly $20,000 less than that of other private institutions, according to U.S. News & World Report, 2019-20. We ranked among the top 5% most affordable private Christian universities in the CCCU Tuition Survey, 2018. Undergraduate online tuition costs were $395 per credit hour in the 2019-20 school year. Students enrolled in 30 credit hours per year would pay $11,850 for tuition, plus fees. The cost of attendance for graduate programs varies by program and degree level (master’s or doctoral). Visit Regent University’s tuition and cost charts for program-by-program rates. We are also committed to serving our military community. Learn more about Tuition Assistance (TA), veteran education benefits, and other military discounts.

Regent is a premier Christian university that offers degree programs in three formats – online, on-campus in Virginia Beach, and a hybrid format that blends the two.

Your diploma will say your degree title, exactly like that of an on-campus degree.

You can order your books online from Regent’s bookstore.

If you are in one of our online undergraduate degree programs, you can complete your degree with no on-campus requirements. We do encourage you to join us on-campus when you graduate! You are also welcome to take a campus tour or schedule a personalized meeting with one of your professors if you’re ever in the area. That said, rest assured that your degree can be obtained completely from your home.

Some graduate programs require weeklong or weekend residencies during the summer, fall or within some semesters. These hybrid degrees will require you to attend campus when specified.

We are here to walk with you every step of the way. For technical help, contact the IT Help Desk at 757.352.4076 or email helpdesk@regent.edu. For more information, please visit the IT Department’s web page.

The application process is the same for both online and on-campus programs. You will complete your application online, and you can stop, save, and return at a later time to finish it, if needed. To begin, simply click on the “Apply Now” button, visit the Apply Now page, or call us at 800.373.5504.

New sessions start every eight weeks. However, application due dates vary with each school and graduate or undergraduate degree program, so you’ll want to confirm ahead of time. Your decision and enrollment deposit are due two weeks prior to the start of class. Request information to learn more about your program. Find out more about the admissions process.

Regent University’s online classes blend the convenience of pursuing your degree where you are, at your own pace, and the experience of being mentored by world-class faculty.

Online courses are available through Canvas, Regent’s web-based classroom. Students access Canvas by logging into the MyRegent portal, then view course material, answer discussion posts, submit assignments, and view grades. Regent’s undergraduate courses don’t require students to be online on specific days or at specific hours, but Canvas gives you the opportunity to log on at a predetermined hour and connect with your professor and classmates in real time.

Online and on-campus classes require the same amount of work. There is no academic difference.

For undergraduate courses, you can often register for both online and on-campus courses. We encourage you to choose what works best for you. Do keep in mind that the tuition rate varies by program mode, and financial aid may vary as well. Our online programs provide flexible degrees for adult students who work, but if you are available to take courses on campus, you are welcome to do that as well. Graduate programs may only be available on campus or online, so you will need to check with your advisor for details. Degrees classified as hybrids allow you to take online and on-campus courses—including residencies. Check with your advisor for more.