A big advantage to being an SNHU online student is that there are no set class times, so you’re free to study around your weekly schedule — and work wherever you have access to a computer and the internet.
You’ll need to make sure you have access to a computer and the internet before the start of your first term. Specifically, here is what you’ll need to have for most degree programs:
Windows or Apple Operating system. 8GB RAM and 100GB storage.
About 15 hours per week per course. 5 MBPS download speed.
Your internet service provider may include this with your subscription.
Pro Tip: Students who use the computers that meet minimum recommended requirements have a higher chance of success in their courses. (Based on May 2024 success study.)
Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device.
Some programs, like business analytics, game design, graphic design and computer science, require specialty software, a more powerful computer and other equipment (like a camera). Please see specific requirements for your program below.
The following tech requirement is needed for the BS Accounting degree program.
Video Communication Platform:
Internet Connectivity for Virtual Labs:
| Tool | Version | Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Anaconda Individual Edition1 | Anaconda 2020.07 (July 23, 2020) with Python 3.8 |
Visit the Anaconda website to download. Access the Anaconda User Guide to get started. |
| GitHub | Free | Create an account at the GitHub website. |
| JupyterNotebook | 6.1.4 (stable) |
Visit the Jupyterwebsiteto download. Access the JupyterInstallation Guide and JupyterUser Documentation to get started. Note: Jupyter Notebook is included in Anaconda Individual Edition. If you download Jupyter Notebook separately from Anaconda, you’ll also need to download and install Conda (or Pip,Pipenv or Docker). |
| VS Code | 1.50 (September 2020) |
Visit the Visual Studio website to download. Access the Visual Studio User Guide to get started. |
| Python | 3.9.0 (October 2020, stable) |
Visit the Python website to download. Access the Python Beginner’s Guide to get started. |
| Python Pandas | 1.1.3 (October 2020, stable) | Visit the Python Pandas website to get started. |
| Sequel Ace (Mac Only) | Visit the GitHub website to download. | |
| My SQL Workbench (PC Only) | Community Edition | Visit the MySQL website to download. |
| Tableau Desktop | Once you’ve enrolled, visit the Tableau website to download your free license. | |
| Tableau Prep Builder | Once you’ve enrolled, visit the Tableau website to download your free license. | |
1 Note that Anaconda Individual Edition includes the following software programs: Jupyter Notebook, VSCode and Python.
In addition, a webcam and microphone that work with the student’s computer are required. An optional second monitor is recommended.
Required Software
Adobe Creative Cloud is required for all students in the BA Communication program. Creative Cloud licenses are available at an educational discount directly through Adobe.
Adobe's terms and conditions require a full-year contract for Creative Cloud.
System Requirements
Please refer to the requirements for Adobe Photoshop, which demands the most technical requirements of the Adobe Creative Cloud and is used throughout the graphic design program. Given that current system requirements can change without notice from Adobe, it is best to consult the most up-to-date requirements on the Adobe website.
Video Communication Platform:
| Component Type | Minimum Requirement | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10, 64 Bit | Windows 10, 64 Bit |
| Processor | Intel 8th Gen i5 or i7 | Intel 9th Gen i7 |
| Memory (RAM) | 8GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Hard Drive | 250+ GB | 500+ GB Solid State Drive (SSD) |
| Graphics Card | Built-in (Intel) | Discrete/dedicated (such as NVIDIA or AMD) |
| Wireless | 802.11 a/c dual band | 802.11 a/c dual band |
| Office Suite | Office 2013 Professional or newer | Office 2013 Professional or newer |
| Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
| Optional Accessories | CD/DVD drive, external hard drive, extra power cord and headphones/earbuds | CD/DVD drive, external hard drive, extra power cord and headphones/earbuds |
| SNHU Purchase Programs | Visit Dell | Visit Dell |
Help desk support: Microsoft Windows 10, limited support for MacOS (Campus only). Support for other OS is not currently available.
Video Communication Platform:
Required Photography Equipment:
NOTE: Phone and/or tablet cameras are not permitted for use in this course. They lack the technical functionality to properly complete required assignments.
Required Software:
Adobe Creative Cloud is required for all students in the digital photography program. Creative Cloud licenses are available at an educational discount directly through Adobe.
Adobe’s terms and conditions require a full-year contract for Creative Cloud.
System Requirements:
Please refer to the requirements for Adobe Photoshop, which demands the most technical requirements of the Adobe Creative Cloud and is used throughout the digital photography program. Given that current system requirements can change without notice from Adobe, it is best to consult the most up-to-date requirements on the Adobe website.
Video Communication Platform:
Internet Connectivity for Virtual Labs:
Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite
This package includes Maya, 3ds Max, Motion Builder and Mudbox. Students can download these products for free under an educational agreement through Autodesk.
System Requirements
Note that some Autodesk products included in the Entertainment Creation Suite may be available for Apple® Mac OS® X operating systems. Students may elect to run non-native software (most notably 3ds Max) on Windows® through Apple's Boot Camp® or Parallels Desktop® systems. Students who wish to obtain Windows®10 may do so through Azure Dev Tools.
Adobe Creative Cloud
This package includes Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat and more. Students can download these products for a reduced monthly cost through SNHU's OnTheHub store.
System Requirements
The requirements below are listed for Photoshop and Illustrator. Given that current system requirements can change without notice from Adobe, it is best to consult the most up-to-date requirements on the Adobe website.
| Component Type | Mac Specifications | PC Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Operation System | Mac OS® 10.13 (High Sierra), macOS version 10.12 (Sierra) or Mac OS X version 10.11 (El Capitan) | Windows 10 operating system |
| CPU | Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support | Intel® Core 2 or AMD Athlon® 64 processor; 2 GHz or faster processor |
| RAM | A minimum of 8GB of RAM is required, but 16GB is highly recommended and will become increasingly necessary with each annual release of new versions of Adobe applications | A minimum of 8GB of RAM is required, but 16GB is highly recommended and will become increasingly necessarily with each annual release of new versions of Adobe applications |
| Disk Space | 4GB or more of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system) | 2.6GB free disk space |
| Display | 1024 x 768 display (1280x800 recommended) with 16-bit color and 512MB or more of dedicated VRAM; 2GB is recommended | 1024 x 768 display (1280x800 recommended) with 16-bit color and 512MB or more of dedicated VRAM; 2 GB is recommended |
| Graphics | OpenGL 2.0-capable system | OpenGL 2.0-capable system |
| Component Type | Minimum Requirement | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10, 64 Bit | Windows 10, 64 Bit |
| Processor | Intel 8th Gen i5 or i7 | Intel 9th Gen i7 |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Hard Drive | 250+ GB | 500+ GB Solid State Drive (SSD) |
| Graphics Card | Built-in (Intel) | Discrete/dedicated (such as NVIDIA or AMD) |
| Wireless | 802.11 a/c dual band | 802.11 a/c dual band |
| Office Suite | Office 2013 Professional or newer | Office 2013 Professional or newer |
| Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
| Optional Accessories | CD/DVD drive, external hard drive, extra power cord and headphones/earbuds | CD/DVD drive, external hard drive, extra power cord and headphones/earbuds |
| SNHU Purchase Programs | Visit Dell | Visit Dell |
Required Software
Adobe Creative Cloud is required by all students in the graphic design and media arts program. Creative Cloud licenses are available at an educational discount directly through Adobe.
Adobe’s terms and conditions require a full-year contract for Creative Cloud.
System Requirements
Please refer to the requirements for Adobe Photoshop, which demands the most technical requirements of the Adobe Creative Cloud and is used throughout the graphic design program. Given that current system requirements can change without notice from Adobe, it is best to consult the most up-to-date requirements on the Adobe website.
Video Communication Platform:
The following tech requirement is needed for the BS Human Resource Management degree program.
Video Communication Platform:
Internet Connectivity for Virtual Labs:
| Component Type | Minimum Requirement | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10, 64 Bit | Windows 10, 64 Bit |
| Processor | Intel 8th Gen i5 or i7 | Intel 9th Gen i7 |
| Memory (RAM) | 8GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Hard Drive | 250+ GB | 500+ GB Solid State Drive (SSD) |
| Graphics Card | Built-in (Intel) | Discrete/dedicated (such as NVIDIA or AMD) |
| Wireless | 802.11 a/c dual band | 802.11 a/c dual band |
| Office Suite | Office 2013 Professional or newer | Office 2013 Professional or newer |
| Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
| Optional Accessories | CD/DVD drive, external hard drive, extra power cord and headphones/earbuds | CD/DVD drive, external hard drive, extra power cord and headphones/earbuds |
| SNHU Purchase Programs | Visit Dell | Visit Dell |
Help desk support: Microsoft Windows 10, limited support for MacOS (Campus only). Support for other OS is not currently available.
Video Communication Platform:
Internet Connectivity for Virtual Labs:
Students enrolled in the BSN program are responsible for ensuring they have the minimum system hardware, software, and equipment. In addition to the SNHU technology requirements, BSN students should have the following:
Students enrolled in the MSN program courses are responsible for ensuring they have the minimum system hardware, software and equipment. In addition to the SNHU technology requirements, MSN students should have the following:
For nurse executive leadership and healthcare quality and safety tracks:
For nursing education and population healthcare tracks:
For family nurse practitioner track:
Available to current and newly accepted SNHU students. Students can even shop recommended computer solutions by major.
Learn More
Available to current and newly accepted SNHU students and their parents.
Learn More
SNHU students can download Microsoft 365 Education for free. Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and now Microsoft Teams, plus additional classroom tools.
If you don’t find the answers to your questions below, please reach out to your admission counselor at 888.387.0864 or admission@snhu.edu.
