The answer to this question depends on the online university you choose. Online colleges can offer courses in three formats: synchronous, asynchronous, and self-paced. Synchronous online courses require students to log on to live sessions at specific hours each week. These sessions may take place during typical work hours, on weekends, or in the evenings. Both asynchronous and self-paced online classes allow learners to watch lectures and complete discussions on their own schedules. However, asynchronous courses maintain strict deadlines, while self-paced courses allow students to take long breaks. Most course-based programs at Walden use asynchronous learning, but competency-based programs at Walden use a self-paced method.