On-Campus and Off-Campus Program Comparison
- Location/Modality
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Off-Campus
- The MSAI and SSES programs are entirely online at the present.
- Their original, pre-pandemic design was to offer both in-person and online options each week, so they continue to be classified as hybrid."
- The full-time MSSE programs have some in-person classes.
- When there are off-campus classes, off-campus locations are chosen for your commuting/parking convenience.
- For the Hybrid status which affords these options, students do need to attend any one in-person meeting during the program.
On-Campus- Classes are held on the main campus of San José State University, typically in-person.
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- Curriculum & Schedule
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Off-Campus
Courses fit people with full-time lives, who benefit more from streamlined convenience more than class choices.
- Typically, each class in the program meets at the same evening time, same one night each week.
- Depending on the degree program, courses can be 11 or 16 weeks long.
- Many programs take one course at a time; MSSE students take three at a time. On program schedules, two courses in “Spring” may mean consecutive between January and June.
- The program schedule is available on the website in advance and at all times.
- Due to the cohort nature of off-campus programs, students are guaranteed a seat in all program courses.
- Summer courses are mandatory in some programs.On-Campus
Students have more choices, and need much more schedule and logistic flexibility to embrace them.
- Courses are 16 weeks long.
- Classes meet on varying days/times, often during the work day. The Schedule of Classes is published prior to each semester and may include multiple sections of each class.
- Summer courses are optional.
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- Program Duration
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Off-Campus
- The program’s streamlined schedule means that all students in the cohort complete their degree in the same timeframe.
On-Campus- Typical duration of the program study is two years for a full time student. Taking classes on a part-time basis is possible but will lengthen the time required to complete the degree.
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- Time off
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Off-Campus
- Campus holidays and closures may not apply to off-campus programs. Make sure to check the specific program schedule for dates.
On-Campus- Campus closures are scheduled and posted on the online Academic Calendars.
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- Cost/Fees
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Off-Campus
You pay per course, rather than per term, making the cost predictable and cost-effective for taking one course at a time.
- For our one-course-at-a-time programs, you take two courses sequentially in Spring (January-March and March-May). The fourth course makes the total cost per year (10,200 for us) comparable to taking 3 courses on-campus ($9,098.50 for 2021-2022 school year), assuming one-course-at-a-time for the full-time professional.
- Fall 2021 - Single degree: $850/unit = $2,550/course = $25,500/degree
- Corporate degree: $1,000/unit = $3,000/course = $33,000/degree
- No additional fees are required for non-residents. Textbooks are not included in program cost.
- Costs are subject to change based on University-mandated fee increases.
On-CampusStudents are assessed a flat tuition fee and various mandatory registration fees for main campus amenities and resources, making a full-time, on-campus life more cost-effective.
- 6 units or less = $3,137/semester (Spring 2022)
- 6.1 units or more = $4,643/semester (Spring 2022)
- Non-residents pay an additional $396 per unit.
- All CSU listed fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by The Board of Trustees. Fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. A list of current registration fees is available on the Bursar’s Office website.
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- Included in the tuition & registration fees
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Off-Campus
- Access to MLK Jr. Library
- Access to Career Center
On-Campus- Access to the Sport Club and Aquatic facilities on campus
- Access to MLK Jr. Library on campus
- Access to Career Center
- SJSU Tower Card
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