27
July
2020
|
16:45 PM
America/Chicago

Questions About Course Modalities Explained

Students who have registered (or are registering) for Fall 2020 should take note of the different formats in which their classes will be offered.

As the University of Houston-Downtown continues to address the challenges of COVID-19, courses are being scheduled in four formats (or modalities) to ensure the safety of all Gators and to follow recommended distancing protocol. Any changes in modality to classes will be made by August 7 and an announcement will be made to students.

Online: Two types of online courses will be available: 1) synchronous: a fully online class with required regular virtual meeting times in which student will engage with their instructor and classmates in real time, and 2) asynchronous: a fully online class without set meeting times, engaging with classmates and instructor.

Interactive: This fully online course type will allow students to meet at a scheduled time with their professor and classmates who are in the classroom in real time while they are joining online. 

Hybrid: This course type combines online and face-to-face meetings in the classroom. A portion of the class is online and students will complete the other portion during scheduled meeting times in the classroom, where masks will be required and social distancing guidelines followed.

Face-to-face:  All class meetings will occur on campus in person at scheduled meeting times unless health and safety require otherwise.

In addition, students should be aware that all classes at UHD will move to a fully online format after Thanksgiving break. However, the semester timeline is not changing — finals and classes will take place after the Thanksgiving break as per the academic calendar. 

“We want to ensure students are receiving consistent information about the modalities and what each format entails,” said Dr. Eric Carl Link, Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. “This will help minimize confusion and anxiety about the fall semester.”

About the University of Houston-Downtown

The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.

U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.