Course Timeframe Formats
Standard Format - Daytime courses meet two or three times per week for a 16-week semester. Evening courses meet for the same number of hours per week, but in one extended evening session during the 16-week semester.
Accelerated Format – Accelerated study at the Mount is an intense learning experience that offers the opportunity to complete a course in the evening and on weekends in a shorter timeframe than the standard format. Instructors follow a different teaching methodology with fewer class contact hours and more independent study. Accelerated courses are offered over several terms including the summer. Each course requires attendance at five to eight class sessions. Each course requires a preassignment that must be completed before the first class meeting. The completed preassignment and extensive independent studies between each class meeting are integral to this format.
Course Delivery Formats
Face-to-Face Format - Face-to-Face (F2F) courses meet in a classroom in regularly scheduled sessions throughout the semester.
Online Format - Online courses typically do not meet on campus except for course orientations and/or exams. Course content is primarily delivered through the use of web-based technology. This course format is recommended for students who are independent learners and comfortable using online tools. Students should complete the Mount’s online/blended learning readiness self-assessment before enrolling in an online course.
Blended Format - Blended learning integrates best practices of face-to-face classroom and online course formats in a planned, pedagogically sound manner. In blended courses, online activities replace a portion of the class meetings - decreasing the number of class meetings. Online activities are integrated with face-to-face instruction, thereby giving students the benefits each learning format has to offer. Class meeting times and online work are outlined in the development of each course. Students should complete the Mount’s online/blended learning readiness self-assessment before enrolling in a blended course.
Study Abroad - The College of Mount St. Joseph encourages students to study abroad. Arrangements may be made for students to spend a year, a semester, a summer or several weeks in study abroad for which academic credit will be granted. Credit hours are treated as Mount residency hours. Study abroad grades are generally treated as transfer credit. In some cases, work experience abroad may also be arranged. Full-time students who are in good academic standing and who are of junior or senior standing are eligible to participate. Upon the recommendation of their advisor and department chairperson, sophomores who are in very good academic standing may also be eligible to participate. Federal and state financial aid may be used for overseas study. Additional grant opportunities are available for overseas travel. Information and application procedures are available from the travel coordinator, dan_mader@mail.msj.edu.
Auto-Study Courses - Auto-study courses provide an opportunity for students to select courses in areas of interest that are not usually offered as a classroom experience. They consist of a series of packets on selected topics, prepared by faculty who later serve as a tutor to the student. All students must meet with the instructor for each intended auto-study. Auto-study listings are found in the schedule. The instructor’s approval in Web registration is required before a student may enroll. Baccalaureate degree seeking students are permitted to take a maximum of four courses (12 credit hours) through auto study during their period of matriculation. Associate degree seeking students are permitted to take a maximum of two courses (6 credit hours) through auto study during their period of matriculation. Auto-study courses may not be taken for audit. Packets are available from the sponsoring faculty member and from the offering academic department.
Learning Contracts/Independent Learning Options
All independent learning courses (Independent Studies, Internships, Service Learning courses, Advanced Studio Projects — Art, and Directed Research) require the completion of a learning contract. An independent learning course provides the opportunity for student-initiated, student-driven, in-depth study complementing the student’s overall academic program under the supervision of a faculty member and should not be taken merely to fulfill minimum credit requirements.
An independent study opportunity can be established as a special topic or noncataloged course (which might include lab research), or a specialty area. The independent study credits will be included in the normal course load. The instructor’s approval in Web registration is required before a student may enroll.
Any student seeking credit through an independent learning opportunity must contact the instructor to discuss and complete a learning contract. Through contractual learning, the student is to understand the instructor’s expectations and criteria for evaluation. A completion date is established between the student and instructor. There is no re-contracting after an established completion date. The contract must be signed by the chair of the department in which it's offered. A copy of the signed learning contract must be on file in the Registrar’s Office.