Understanding the New Course Format Descriptions

To be a successful learner at Mount St. Mary’s University, it is important to understand the type of course you're enrolling in. The video and descriptions below will help you learn more about the various learning models available to students in Emmitsburg (EBURG), Frederick (FRED) and ONLINE.

Course Format Infographic

Course Format Description Infographic
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Course Format Video

Course Format Video Transcript

To be a successful learner at Mount St. Mary’s University, you should understand the type of course you're enrolling in. This video will introduce the Mount’s new course formats. The descriptions should help you choose the course format that’s right for you while you’re registering for classes. There are six course formats for you to choose from based on their availability. They range from fully in-person to fully online, and combinations of the two.

A course being offered in a synchronous format meets at a specific day and time, whether it’s in-person or through web-conferencing, while a course being offered in an asynchronous format involves completing activities within assigned date ranges. Some courses may involve both synchronous and asynchronous components.

The Classroom In-Person (IP) format is: “A course with in-person meetings only. Students should not expect to be able to attend using web-conferencing (such as Zoom). Location will indicate EBURG (for Emmitsburg campus) or FRED (for Frederick campus).” This format meets in a physical location at a specific day and time. To be prepared for an in-person course, you’ll want to arrive to the classroom on time with the course materials needed for the class, such as textbooks or technology.

The Classroom In-Person (WC) format is: “A course with in-person meetings and Web-Conferencing available (i.e., Zoom). EBURG UG students must obtain permission from the Associate Provost to attend using web-conferencing. Graduate and Adult Accelerated students may attend courses in person and/or via web-conferencing. Location will indicate EBURG (for Emmitsburg campus) or FRED (for Frederick campus).” This format meets in a physical location at a specific day and time, but access to the classroom through web-conferencing is available. To be prepared for this format, the same in-person preparation is needed, but those attending through web-conferencing will also need a webcam, microphone, computer with a reliable Internet connection, and ideally a quiet well-lit location.

The Classroom Blended format is “A course with in-person meetings and synchronous/asynchronous teaching blended to equal the required credit hours. The meeting day and time will indicate the synchronous portion of the class.” This format meets at physical location on a specific day and time, and includes an online component, which may be through synchronous web-conferencing at the regular time and/or asynchronous completion of online activities. To be prepared for this format, the same in-person preparation is needed, as well as a computer with a reliable Internet connection. A webcam, microphone, and ideally a quiet, well-lit location may also be necessary for attending synchronous classes through web-conferencing.

The Online Synchronous format is “A course with regularly scheduled meeting times using web-conferencing only (i.e., Zoom).” This format meets through web-conferencing at a specific day and time. To be prepared for this format, all students will need a webcam, microphone, computer with a reliable Internet connection, and ideally a quiet, well-lit location.

The Online Asynchronous format is “A course with all content delivered online without a specific course meeting day or time. Instead, content is completed within assigned date ranges. Any scheduled meetings are typically limited to capstone events and/or proctored exams.” Even though this format doesn’t meet at a specific time, like other courses, it may still require completion of group work. To be prepared for this format all students will need a computer with a reliable Internet connection.

The Online Blended format is “A course with synchronous meetings using web-conferencing (for example, Zoom) and asynchronous teaching in Canvas blended to equal the required credit hours. The meeting day and time will indicate the synchronous web-conferencing portion of the class. This format either always or sometimes meets through web-conferencing at the specific day and time, with additional work being completed asynchronously. To be prepared for this format, all students will need a webcam; microphone; computer, with a reliable Internet connection; and ideally a quiet, well-lit location.

While registering for courses at the Mount, you will find that each course is offered in one or more of the six course formats we’ve just reviewed. If you still have questions about which formats are the best fit for you, please talk with your academic advisor or program director.

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Course Format Descriptions

Classroom In-Person (IP)

A course with in-person meetings only. Students should not expect to be able to attend using web-conferencing (i.e., Zoom). Location will indicate FRED or EBURG.

To be prepared for a Classroom In-Person (IP) Course

Arrive to classroom on time
Bring course materials, such as textbooks or technology

Classroom In-Person (WC)

A course with in-person meetings and web-conferencing available (i.e., Zoom). EBURG UG students must obtain permission from the Associate Provost to attend using web-conferencing. Graduate and Adult Accelerated students may attend courses in person and/or via web conferencing. Location will indicate FRED or EBURG.

To be prepared for a Classroom In-Person (WC) Course

Arrive to classroom on time
Bring course materials, such as textbooks or technology

If participating by web-conferencing, you will need:

Webcam & microphone
A computer with a reliable Internet connection
A quiet, well-lit location

Classroom Blended

A course with in-person meetings and synchronous/asynchronous teaching blended to equal the required credit hours. The meeting day and time will indicate the synchronous portion of the class.

To be prepared for a Classroom Blended Course

Arrive to classroom on time
Bring course materials, such as textbooks or technology

If participating by web-conferencing, you will need:

Webcam & microphone
A computer with a reliable Internet connection
A quiet, well-lit location

Online Synchronous

A course with regularly scheduled meeting times using web-conferencing only (i.e., Zoom).

To be prepared for an Online Synchronous Course

To participate by web-conferencing, you will need:

Webcam & microphone
A computer with a reliable Internet connection
A quiet, well-lit location

Online Asynchronous

A course with all content is delivered online without a specific course meeting day or time. Instead, content is completed within assigned date ranges. Any scheduled meetings are typically limited to capstone events and/or proctored exams.

To be prepared for an Online Asynchronous Course

You will need:

A computer with a reliable Internet connection

Even though this format doesn't meet at a specific time, like other courses, it may still require the completion of group work.

Online Blended

A course with synchronous meetings using web-conferencing (i.e., Zoom) and asynchronous teaching in Canvas blended to equal the required credit hours. The meeting day and time will indicate the synchronous webconferencing portion of the class.

To be prepared for an Online Blended Course

You will need:

Webcam & microphone
A computer with a reliable Internet connection
A quiet, well-lit location