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.

In*Sync - In*Sync courses include a combination of asynchronous and synchronous learning. With this format, a student will not only work on their own schedule to meet deadlines for assignments but also will attend scheduled virtual class sessions. Delivered through Blackboard, the content for this delivery format is highly structured.

Blended Format  - Blended courses integrate best practices of face-to-face and online course formats in a planned, pedagogically sound manner. Participation, course content, and student engagement will occur both online and in the scheduled in-person class sessions.  This course format is recommended for students who are independent learners and comfortable using online tools.

Online Format - Online courses have no face-to-face component. Some courses may require proctored exams. This course format is recommended for students who are independent learners and comfortable using online tools.

Study Abroad* - Mount St. Joseph University 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 when course registration for travel abroad takes place through the Mount. Other 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 Provost Office. 

*This registration at MSJ is a technical requirement, and does not conflict with the usual and customary AIFS online registration.

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 neonatal 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.