Online education holds great potential for rural states like South Dakota, which has been recognized for advances in distance education. To maximize the potential of online learning, design elements that students believe are needed for successful online learning experiences must be identified. In this study, we present the qualitative and quantitative results of a survey administered to students in 7 School of Education graduate courses at the University of South Dakota. Course coherence, clear goals, teacher voice, and extensive teacher feedback were the most important elements for learner success. Student-to-student communications ranked lower than expected in students' analysis of their experiences.