Online Student Handbook (2025-2026)

The Online Student Handbook is a supplement to the Vanderbilt University Student Handbook and should be used as a general resource to support your learning experience as an online student. This handbook will link out to comprehensive policies included in the University-wide student handbook.

At Vanderbilt, we are dedicated to an innovative and outstanding educational experience, while providing inclusive and flexible access to lifelong learning without boundaries. We seek to offer a variety of digital education opportunities to reach a broad spectrum of learners and enhance the university’s pedagogical resources and global impact.  

Online learning programs at Vanderbilt are built on three principles.

1. Embody the Vanderbilt Way
   We create lifelong digital experiences that are inclusive, collaborative, rigorous, engaging, and uniquely Vanderbilt.
    
2. Meet Diverse Learners Where They Are
   We apply a student centered, data driven approach to iterate on our programs, providing students with the best learning experience possible.
    
3. Advance Vanderbilt’s institutional mission and impact
   We offer digital education programs that impact learners personally and professionally.

See our comprehensive catalog of offerings at Vanderbilt Online.

Online programs offer a variety of learning engagements including asynchronous activities, virtual synchronous sessions, on-campus immersions, and more. When participating in any of these engagements, we expect Vanderbilt students to conduct themselves professionally and honor the Vanderbilt Honor Code.

Honor Code | Vanderbilt University students pursue all academic endeavors with integrity. They conduct themselves honorably, professionally, and respectfully in all realms of their studies in order to promote and secure an atmosphere of dignity and trust. The keystone of the honor system is self-regulation, which requires cooperation and support from each member of the University community.

Students who are found in violation of the honor code will be referred to Student Accountability.

Academic policies for online learners are specific to your program. If you have questions or concerns regarding these policies, please contact your program director.

Attendance expectations will be set and outlined in your program and/or individual classes. Furthermore, faculty instructors may incorporate academic integrity tools (such as Turnitin) to assess your work. If you require learning accommodations, please reach out to the Student Access.

All registered students are assessed tuition and fees specific to their academic program. These rates are set by the Vanderbilt Board of Trust and billed through the Office of Student Accounts.

Students should refer to their program and/or department for their schedule of fees. Access to campus services differ for online learners as compared to in-person learners.

Online degree seeking students are eligible to participate in Vanderbilt’s commencement activities. Vanderbilt holds one commencement ceremony a year in May. If you are a summer or fall graduate, you are invited to participate in the following May ceremony. Your diploma will be issued to you immediately following your graduation in any semester, subject to the Pending Matters at Graduation policy.

Technology Requirements

It is important for online students to have regular access to a reliable computer and stable internet connection. While each program will require different technical specs, you can use the below information as a general guide:

We also recommend students have access to a set of headphones, microphone, and a webcam. For courses with synchronous components, students should test their cameras/microphones to ensure they can be seen and heard. Zoom’s Test Meeting Service can be used to test these components.

A webcam with built in microphone like this one should be sufficient for most learners.
 

• Supported desktop browsers for Brightspace Learning Management System

• Supported Tablet and Mobile Device browsers