Online, Hybrid, or Face-to-Face

Starting a course search can be overwhelming. In a previous post, we reviewed how to optimize your course search, but it is also important to know how to interpret the results you find. The Registrar’s Office has created a Course Key to help break down the different elements of any given course. We frequently get questions from Global Campus students about how to tell if a course is “online.” The best way to know the course format (i.e., online, hybrid, or face-to-face) is by looking at the course section. In the EN 111: College Composition 1 example below, the course section is “50”.

Now that you know how to identify the course section numbers, let’s review what the different course formats are based on section numbers. We’ve categorized courses by section number that Global Campus students are eligible and ineligible to enroll in:

Global Campus Eligible Course Formats

Online Asynchronous (sections 50-59)

The entire course is delivered via the Web, where all course requirements can be completed with the instructor and students in physically separate locations. Students can complete all course requirements and participate in web-based activities for any graded or non-graded requirements at times of their choice (no specific meeting times or dates are required outside of web-based office hours, individual student meetings sessions, etc.).

Online Synchronous (sections 60-69)

The entire course is delivered via the Web, where all course requirements can be completed with the instructor and students in physically separate locations. The course requires completion of at least some course requirements through pre-arranged required web-based meeting times and dates for graded or non-graded requirements (excluding web-based office hours, individual student meetings sessions, etc.)

Hybrid B: Online Hybrid (sections 80-89)

Online/Web-based activity (both synchronous and asynchronous) is mixed with face-to-face classroom meetings, replacing a significant percentage, but not all required face-to-face instructional activities. Less than 50% of the course meeting time is scheduled for in-person, face-to-face instruction either at the NMU main campus or at a satellite campus or designated meeting space. The web-based component of the course is typically delivered in an asynchronous format whereby students can complete all course requirements without any required synchronous web-based meeting times for any graded or non-graded requirements.

Off-Campus Extension (sections 90-99)

All course meetings are scheduled as completely face-to-face and more than 50% are scheduled to occur at locations designated as a NMU satellite or designated meeting space.

Global Campus Ineligible Course Formats

Global Campus students are ineligible to take courses On-Campus (sections 01-49) and Hybrid A: Face-to-Face Hybrid (sections 70-79) course formats.

Questions?

If you should have any questions about courses you are interested in taking or want to confirm you’re registered for the correct classes, please reach out to your academic adviser. Check out more tips on how to optimize your course search.