Frequently Asked Questions

  • No. Duet is an independent non-profit organization. We work with students enrolled in Southern New Hampshire University's (SNHU) online competency-based degree programs. If you enroll in SNHU with Duet, you will earn a fully-accredited SNHU degree, and SNHU will go on your resume and on your transcripts. Duet is an extra service offering personal coaching, study space, and access to technology. Duet's goal is to help you stay on track to earn your degree on time and on budget.

  • Competency-based education (CBE) is a different approach to earning college credits. Rather than attending classes for a set amount of time, college students enrolled in a CBE program earn credits by completing projects. And, rather than earning a passing grade on an exam, CBE students must demonstrate mastery of the project's concepts and skills. This approach to content delivery allows students to control when they learn and how much time they spend on their degree. If you want to do your schoolwork at night, early in the morning, on your lunch break - you can! There are no classes or lectures you are required to attend. And, while there are minimum work requirements for each term, there are no limits to how many projects you can complete in a term - allowing you to accelerate your time to completion and save money.

    Here is a link to a sample project within the SNHU curriculum.

  • Not really! Unlike traditional college programs, CBE programs don’t require you to attend classes at specific times or locations. A professor won’t be standing in front of a classroom lecturing. Instead, expert SNHU faculty will review your project submissions and provide direct, personalized feedback. You’ll continue to receive feedback and support from SNHU faculty until you achieve mastery of each project. Your Duet Academic Coach acts as a thought partner, helping you prepare for project submissions and navigate reviewer feedback.

  • Our coaches provide guidance and keep you informed throughout your education and career journey.

    Your enrollment coach will assist with applying for financial aid and completing the steps needed to enroll at SNHU.

    Your team of academic coaches will help you set goals, create a work plan, preview your projects to save time, and keep you on track to complete your work according to your schedule. Their role is to support you in earning your degree as efficiently as possible.

    You’ll also have a career coach who will help you apply for new jobs as needed while you’re enrolled, and continue working with you for two years after graduation to ensure your degree leads to a high-quality job.

  • A competency-based education (CBE) program has no failing grades. Instead, you can submit and revise your work as many times as you need to achieve mastery (the equivalent of "A" level work).

    Each course you take and receive credit for in SNHU's CBE program will be listed on your transcript. Your grade on each course will be listed as "MA", which means mastered. A transcript from SNHU's CBE program can be used to pursue graduate learning or other continuing education, just like in a traditional GPA-based degree.

  • No. Each major and concentration in SNHU's competency-based program has a set course of study. While this means you can't choose your classes, every course you take is directly tied to the content area of your degree. This differs from a traditional college, where you may have to pay for elective classes that aren't focused on your major.

  • All students are registered as full-time, with an enrollment of 12 SNHU college credits.

    Full-time students should plan to dedicate 15–20 hours each week to coursework and projects.

Application Process

  • If you have a high school diploma/GED (or another equivalent) you are eligible to enroll in SNHU with Duet.

  • Our application process has five simple steps:

    Fill out an interest form. This will connect you with a Duet team member to learn more and ask questions.

    Apply (only takes 15 mins). You will fill out SNHU’s online application.

    Set up financial aid. Duet’s enrollment coaches will support you in completing your FAFSA or setting up a plan to pay for your degree.

    Try it out. At first, you’ll enroll in SNHU for a trial period where you can experience what it’s like to be in an online competency-based college program and work with Duet’s coaching staff.

    Enroll. If the program is a good fit, you’ll formally enroll and become a student at SNHU!

  • Your diploma will look the same as if you attended Southern New Hampshire University on campus or the traditional SNHU online program. You will put SNHU on your resume - just like everyone else who has graduated from SNHU.

  • Prior college credits are accepted if they meet specific requirements. SNHU will review your previous college credits to determine which ones qualify. For credits to be accepted, they need to:

    • Be accessible from an official transcript that is sent directly to SNHU from your former college.

    • Meet certain grade level requirements (e.g., C- or better).

    • Match up with classes you would be taking as part of your course of study in the Duet and SNHU program (e.g., if you took Dance or Drawing that's probably not going to transfer).

  • Yes! There are two options:

    1. If you have 60 or more credits, you can apply for the Bachelor’s degree.

    2. If you have fewer than 60 credits, we may encourage you to start with the Associate’s degree.

    Our team will work with you to have your transcripts reviewed by SNHU, and if you need to take additional courses to enter the Bachelor’s program, we’ll help you find the quickest, easiest, and most affordable way to do so.

  • We currently offer the following Bachelor’s Degrees:

    • Bachelor of Arts in Management

    • Bachelor of Arts in Healthcare Management

    • Bachelor of Arts in Communications

      We also offer the following Associate Degrees:

    • Associate of Arts in General Studies

    • Associate of Arts in Healthcare Management

      Visit our Degrees page to learn more about the available degree concentrations and potential career pathways.

  • Unfortunately, not at this time.

Cost and Payment

  • When you enroll in SNHU with Duet, you’ll pay $2,735 per 16-week trimester (approximately $8,205 per year)*. This cost includes $1,137.50 in tuition to SNHU and $1,597.50 in student support fees to Duet. There are no additional costs, such as textbooks.

    All Duet students begin with a no-risk trial period. If, by the end of this trial period, you decide to withdraw or are unable to meet program expectations, you won’t pay anything.

    *Beginning September 2026, the cost per term will be $2,920

  • There are several ways to fund your education:

    • Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA): This includes Pell Grants and government student loans. Work with an expert financial aid coach to ensure you receive the maximum federal aid you qualify for, not just at the start but every term you enroll.

    • Outside Scholarships: Explore scholarship opportunities from various organizations like

      • AmeriCorps Education Awards: If you’ve served with AmeriCorps, you may be eligible for education awards.

      • Employer-Sponsored Tuition Reimbursement: Check if your employer offers tuition reimbursement benefits.

      • Out-of-Pocket & Payment Plans: Pay directly or set up a payment plan to spread out the cost.

  • Duet has some special scholarships with limited funds.

    Duet’s Enrollment Coaches will inform you of any that you may qualify for when you submit your application.