Technology Requirements

Learn more about the basic technology requirements to pursue your goal at Purdue Global. Accessing your online education is simple with technical support available 24/7.

Hardware Requirements for All Students

To enroll and participate in classes online, students must use a desktop computer or laptop (PC or Mac) with at least:

  • CPU processor to support the Operating System (OS) and applications
  • 8 GB of memory (RAM) or more
  • 250 GB or larger storage device (additional storage may be needed for course-related files)
  • Internal or external webcam with integrated microphone
  • Audio output device to play sound
  • Headset or earbuds with microphone (recommended)

Because online learning tools at Purdue Global are mobile responsive, students may use mobile devices such as tablets (e.g., iPad), mobile phones, and notebook computers (e.g., Chromebooks) to perform some academic activities and thereby supplement the use of a desktop computer or laptop. However, a desktop computer or laptop must remain your primary device for studies at Purdue Global.

Please note that to install and use mobile apps for your studies at Purdue Global, your mobile device must meet the apps’ hardware, storage, and data requirements. Data rates may apply; check with your mobile service provider.

Internet Access

Students should have a high-speed internet connection with a minimum bandwidth of 8 Mbps upload/download speed.

Additional Technology Requirements for Courses

Along with the Technology Requirements listed on this page, all students should review and be aware of any additional software and hardware requirements for their classes prior to enrollment.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Software Requirements for All Students

Please see the below software requirements for online classes:

Desktop Support

Operating System

SystemRecommendedMinimum
MicrosoftWindows 10 (version 22H2)*
Windows 11 (version 23H2)
Windows 10 (version 21H2)
Windows 11 (version 22H2)
ApplemacOS 14.1 (Sonoma)macOS 12.70.14 (Monterey)


* Microsoft is discontinuing support of Windows 10 on October 14, 2025.

Release candidate versions are not supported. Local administrative privileges to the operating system may be required.

Web Browser

BrowserRecommendedMinimum
Google ChromeLatestLatest
Mozilla FirefoxLatestLatest
Apple SafariLatestLatest
Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based)LatestLatest

Tablet and Mobile Support

DeviceOperating SystemBrowserSupported Browser Version(s)
AndroidAndroid 12+ChromeLatest
Apple(OS) iOS® Version 17Safari, ChromeThe latest minor or point release of the most recent two major versions of iOS. Examples: iOS 10.3.2 is supported but not 10.2.1. iOS 9.3.5 is also supported but not 9.0.2.
WindowsWindows 10Chrome, Firefox, EdgeLatest of all browsers, except for Firefox ESR

Google Workspace Account

All enrolled students are provisioned with their own Google Workspace account that includes access to Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, and Calendar. The Gmail account is used for all email, chat, and web meetings among students and instructors. Students may use the other tools found in the Google account to support class-related collaboration.

Students access their Gmail account from the Purdue Global Campus homepage and retain access to their provisioned Google account for up to one year after they graduate or become inactive. Review the Purdue Global Student Google Account Closure FAQs.

Browser Compatibility

BrowserCompatibility
Google ChromeSupports all Google Workspace features and functionality.
Mozilla FirefoxWorks well with Google Workspace, but does not support offline access to Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
Apple Safari and Microsoft Edge

Works well with Google Workspace, but does not support: 

  • Offline access to Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, or Slides
  • Desktop notifications in Gmail
  • Accessibility tools (e.g., screen readers)

Productivity Software

All students are required to have Microsoft Office 2016 or a more recent version such as Microsoft Office 365 Education, which is available as a free, renewable subscription to active, enrolled students at Purdue Global. Students can access Microsoft Office 365 Education from the OnTheHub software site located on the Student Store & Discounts page in Purdue Global Campus.

Notes:

  • Microsoft is discontinuing support of Microsoft Office 2016 on October 14, 2025.
  • Students purchasing Microsoft Office 2021 may also need to upgrade their operating system to support the software.
  • As with their provisioned Google Workspace account, students retain access to their Microsoft Office 365 Education subscription for up to one year after graduation or leaving the University.
SoftwareRecommendedMinimum
Microsoft Office2021 or 3652016

A current version of the following software:

SoftwareDownload
Adobe Acrobat ReaderDownload
AntivirusWindows Defender Antivirus (included with Windows 10 and higher), or other third-party antivirus software.
Oracle JavaDownload
Zoom WorkspaceDownload

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Purdue Global Student Account Closure FAQs

Purdue Global’s policy is to close the student Google accounts issued to students who have not been enrolled with Purdue Global for more than 1 year.

You were provisioned a student Google account when you were enrolled at Purdue Global as a means to email, chat, and video conference as well as to create, manage, and share files with your instructors and classmates in support of your studies. All other correspondence with you as an enrolled student was done using your personal email address on file. That is still the case now that you are an alumnus and have ended your studies.

No. Tuition paid to Purdue Global covers the provisioning of the student Google account for your use while you are enrolled in your academic program and for 1 year thereafter.  

If you remain unenrolled with Purdue Global for 1 year, there are no exceptions.

  • If you re-enroll with Purdue Global within 1 year, your student Google account will remain open.
  • If you re-enroll with Purdue Global after 1 year, you will be provisioned a new student Gmail account.

Review the emails in your student Gmail account inbox. If there are any you would like to save, forward them to a different active email account of yours. 

If there are any files you would like to save, you can download and save Google files as other file types such as Word documents, PDF files, and PowerPoint slides. Review the Create, View, or Download a File Google Drive Help Center page.

Note: Because your student Gmail account is a designated Gmail school account, you can only share Google files in the account’s Google drive (e.g., Google docs and sheets) with other active Purdue Global student Gmail accounts. You cannot share them with any personal Gmail accounts of yours. More information is found in the Google Drive Help.

Please be sure to change that email address to a different one of yours. Once your student Gmail account is closed, you will no longer be able to access it, which could prevent you from managing those accounts. Example: password reset emails for those online products or services sent to your student Gmail address.

If you are using your Purdue Global student Gmail account as the owner, give your personal email account access to it to continue accessing and managing it once your student Gmail account is closed. More information is found in the YouTube Help Site. You can also download any videos you wish to keep.

If you participated in one or more courses at Purdue Global using digital books through VitalSource and would like to retain access to those resources for the remainder of the allowed 4-year period, we recommend that you do the following:

  • Sign in to your VitalSource account either via the web-based link or the mobile app (if you installed it) using your Purdue Global student Gmail address and password. You can reset your password if you need to.
  • Once you have signed in, click on More Options, then My Account to reach your Profile. In your Profile, replace your Purdue Global student Gmail address with your personal email address.
  • Thereafter, sign in to your VitalSource account using your personal email address that you entered.

We recommend that you do the following:

  • Sign in to Purdue Global Campus using your Purdue Global Campus username. On the sign-in page, you can retrieve your username and reset your password if you need to.
  • Once you have signed in to Purdue Global Campus, click on the University Info tab, then Office of the Registrar. 
  • Scroll down the page to the Order Official Transcripts section and click on Parchment Exchange.
  • On the Parchment website, select Profile, then Account Settings.
  • In the Email Address field, replace your Purdue Global student Gmail address with your personal email address.
  • With that change, all email notifications related to any orders you place for your Purdue Global official transcript(s) will go to your personal email address you entered.

Please contact Support and Solutions at 866-522-7747.

NOTES AND CONDITIONS

Hardware and Software Requirements: Students must be able to run, install, and configure programs and be able to store and retrieve documents and files on their computer.

Technical Support for Webcams and Microphones: Purdue Global's Support and Solutions Team is not available to offer guidance or technical support concerning the use of webcams or microphones. Students should be familiar with and understand how to operate the built-in features and/or external equipment prior to using them in the classroom environment.

Software Support: Newly released versions of software may not be immediately supported.