What is the Best Online Calculus Course - Distance Calculus

There are many online Calculus course options on the internet currently. They basically separate into the following 3 categories:

Free MOOC Courses
These are courses that are offered for free (or nearly so), but they do not offer academic credit for the courses. Some of these courses are awesome and are an excellent resource for the student enrolled in a for-credit online Calculus course.
Publisher Courseware
Many academic textbook publishers offer multiple-choice based "course systems" where you take the Calculus course by getting a login to their system (which is the same for multiple schools, but the logos at the top are different), and you engage the course via endless multiple choice quizzes - reading their online textbook, doing problems by hand, choosing multiple choice options.
If you like this kind of course, then you have many options in taking such courses. We, personally, feel these course systems are cold, boring, and monotonous.
Mastery Learning & Human Interation & Computer Algebra Software
These types of courses are our favorites, of course, because that's what Distance Calculus is modeled on. Other great courses using this type of system are NetMath from University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

Here are some videos to explore our Calculus courses from Distance Calculus @ Roger Williams University. We will leave it up to you to decide which online calculus course is best!

Freshman Mathematics Courses

Semester
Credit
Hours

Applied Calculus for Business 33
Applied Calculus for Life Science 33

STEM Calculus I44
STEM Calculus II44

Honors STEM Calculus I 55
Honors STEM Calculus II 55
Honors Calculus I+II for Data Science 55

Sophomore Mathematics Courses

Semester
Credit
Hours

Honors Multivariable/Vector Calculus III 55
Honors Differential Equations 44
Honors Linear Algebra 55
Honors Linear Algebra for Data Science 55

General Mathematics Courses

Semester
Credit
Hours

Discrete Mathematics 44

Mathematics Major Courses

Semester
Credit
Hours

Computational Abstract Algebra 44

Computational Differential Geometry 44

Is Distance Calculus For You?

How Fast Can You Complete a Distance Calculus Course?

After AP Calculus for High School Students

Course Information

How Distance Calculus Courses Work

HONORS Courses

Frequent Questions

Distance Calculus - Student Reviews

Andris H.★★★★★

Posted: May 3, 2020

Courses Completed: Applied Calculus

I found out from my MBA program that I needed to finish calculus before starting the MBA. They told me 3 weeks before term started! I was able to finish Applied Calculus from Distance Calculus. Definitely a great class. Thanks Distance Calculus!

Transferred Credits To: SUNY Stony Brook

Howard B.★★★★★

Posted: May 17, 2025

Courses Completed: Applied Calculus

I truly loved this class—it's one of the most enjoyable math courses I’ve ever taken.

Pros:

-- Exceptional Instruction and Support: Dr. Curtis was incredibly responsive and helpful whenever I had questions. The TA was also very supportive, and thanks to their guidance, I was proud to earn a 100% in the course—even without having taken pre-calculus beforehand.

-- Innovative Software Platform: The custom software used in the course made a huge difference for me. I found it intuitive and engaging, and it helped reinforce the concepts in a way traditional textbooks never did.

-- Thorough, Rigorous Curriculum: The structure of the course really pushed me to stay organized and plan ahead. I felt like I was being challenged in all the right ways.

Potential Considerations for Others:

-- Requires Strong Time Management: If you haven’t taken pre-calc, like me, you’ll need to be extra proactive. The course can move quickly if you need, and pacing yourself is essential.

-- Software Learning Curve: While I personally loved the software, students who aren’t comfortable adapting to new digital tools might need a bit of extra time upfront to get used to it.

-- Helpful to Have Supplementary Resources: One improvement might be to offer a short list of "starter resources" (videos, concept overviews, etc.) for students who need a broader intro to calculus before diving in.

Overall, I highly recommend this course to motivated students, especially those comfortable with self-paced learning and open to using new tools. Dr. Curtis is a fantastic instructor, and the course setup really works.

Transferred Credits To: MIT

Mark L.★★★★★

Posted: Sep 6, 2020

Courses Completed: Applied Calculus

Great course. Because of this class I was able to meet the entry requirements for my EMBA program on a tight time window in addition to sharpening math skills from classes taken over 15 years ago!

Transferred Credits To: MIT

Tanja B.★★★★★

Posted: Jan 28, 2026

Courses Completed: Calculus I

After two failed attempts at my university, this course helped me understand Calculus. The live maths tool along with Dr. Curtis were especially helpful, allowing me to visualize concepts and expand my understanding. The explanations were clear, the examples practical, and I could learn at my own pace, which built my confidence. Thank you.

Transferred Credits To: University of Namibia

Henry F.★★★★★

Posted: Dec 18, 2025

Courses Completed: Differential Equations

Transferred Credits To: Saint Joseph High School

John ★★★★★

Posted: Nov 20, 2025

Courses Completed: Precalculus, Applied Calculus

Great course. Professor Curtis and the TAs graded quickly and gave really helpful feedback that made the class feel smooth and manageable. Definitely recommend it.

Transferred Credits To: Binghamton University (School of Managment)