Are you familiar with UT Canvas Catalog? OIT recognizes that many faculty, staff, and students are well-acquainted with Online@UT, casually called Canvas, but may not be aware of its distinction from Canvas Catalog.

Three Differences Between Platforms

Type of education:

• Online@UT (Canvas): This is a learning management system for credit-based courses leading to academic degrees.
• Canvas Catalog: This platform hosts non-academic courses for UTK community and for the public; for example, a student orientation to a program, a training course for UTK staff and students, an online continuing education program for TN teachers, or an online component of a professional development program. In addition to presenting information, these courses facilitate learner assessment and/or interaction.

Who can be enrolled in courses?

• Online@UT (Canvas): Only active UTK students can be enrolled in courses through the University Registrar and myUTK.
• Canvas Catalog:
  • All active UTK users (students, faculty, staff).
  • Non-UTK users, if permitted by a course instructor.

Does OIT charge departments for using the platforms?

• Online@UT (Canvas): There is no cost.
• Canvas Catalog:
  • No cost if a department offers a no-fee course only to UTK users.
  • A fee of $9 per user per course for other cases.

Common Confusion and How to Avoid It

Many UTK users mistakenly look for academic-credit courses in Canvas Catalog or vice versa. To streamline your experience:

1. Access your academic, for-credit Canvas courses at Online@UT (Canvas) (utk.instructure.com)
2. Access your not-for-academic-credit Canvas courses at UT Canvas Catalog (canvascatalog.utk.edu).
3. Always log in with your UTK NetID and password to both platforms.

We encourage all faculty members and staff to explore Canvas Catalog for their non-degree course offerings.

Learn more about UT Canvas Catalog.

To discuss Canvas Catalog with us, please submit a request online.