A11.03.99.R0.01 Courses Offered in a Shortened Format
Effective September 1, 1996
Revised September 24, 1998
Supplements System Policy 11.03

1. Any organized class that is less than the regular semester in length shall be considered a "shortened format course."

2. The minimum number of class contact hours shall be fifteen hours for each semester hour of credit; thus, a one-semester course will meet at least fifteen hours; two-hour course--thirty hours; and a three-hour course--forty-five hours.

3. The minimum duration of a three semester credit hour course shall be ten class days spread over a minimum of two and a half weeks; the minimum duration of a two semester credit hour course shall be seven days spread over a minimum of one and a half weeks; and the minimum duration for a one semester credit hour course shall be four class days.

4. Assurance of quality in shortened courses, as in all courses, rests with the instructor, with proper monitoring by the department head and college dean. Such courses shall be offered only by qualified faculty and shall include sound evaluation mechanisms, which require honest and significant effort on the part of the student.

5. Courses offered in a shortened format should be limited to those whose content lends itself to acceleration. Such courses are generally ones in which the primary objectives are transfer of information, acquired skills or limited objectives. Shortened format.

6. Approval to offer such courses shall follow regular approval procedures, i.e., department head recommendation, with approval by the college dean, the Dean for Graduate Studies and Research (in the case of graduate courses) and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Exceptions to this policy must receive approval of the Dean for Graduate Studies and Research in the case of graduate courses and the Vice President for Academic Affairs in the case of undergraduate courses.

7. Shortened format courses offered on campus will have a section number with a "6" as the first digit (i.e., 600, 601, 602)  and shortened format courses off campus will have a "5" as the first digit. Such designations will enable shortened courses to be properly tracked.

8. The total number of hours, for which a student is registered, including accelerated courses, may not exceed the normal load limitation for the registration period. Furthermore, a student taking a course of two and a half weeks or less will not be permitted to enroll in a second class of two and half weeks or less during the same period.

9. The following deadlines shall apply to students enrolled in shortened format courses:

a. No enrollments will be permitted after the second day of instruction.

b. A student dropping a course prior to an 80% completion will receive a "DP" if passing the course and a "DF" if failing.

10. Students enrolling in shortened format courses shall meet the admission requirements of the University.

11. All off-campus courses will follow the current rules and regulations for the approval of distance learning instruction for public colleges and universities as set forth by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

References: Prior Policy II G 6, B-100

******************

CONTACT FOR INTERPRETATION: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs