Helping you plan for the Fall 2020 semester

Earlier this week, we alerted you to our master list of Fall 2020 courses to help you prepare for the upcoming academic term. But after fielding smart questions from many of you, we’ve made some changes to make the course list easier to understand and a better tool to help you plan.

Here are some definitions that will help you understand the course list -- and what it means when we say a course will be online, face-to-face or hybrid.

Online asynchronous: All instruction and testing is online. All classes are asynchronous (recorded) with no requirement for students to come to campus on a specific day or time. Testing occurs online and may be required at a specific day and time.
Online synchronous: All instruction and testing is online at a scheduled day and time. There is no requirement for students to come to campus. Testing occurs online and may be required at a specific day and time.
Face-to-face: Students must attend class in person and on campus. Classrooms will allow for social distancing and masks are required while in class. After Thanksgiving, however, all classes and testing will be online only and may be required at a specific day and time.
Hybrid: These classes combine online and face-to-face instruction. Students may be required to attend face-to-face classes one or more days per week, rotate days on campus or take exams and make presentations face-to-face. The online portions of the course may be live (synchronous) or recorded (asynchronous).

Lab-based courses, studio courses and performing art classes will have customized scheduling based on specific requirements described in the syllabus.

This is a preliminary list, and there likely will be some changes. You’ll eventually be able to see all of these details in MyMav, but for now the course information is available on our website so you can begin your planning.

We are emphasizing flexibility and adaptability for the fall term, with your professors understanding that they have discretion and latitude in responding to your individual needs. For example, if you are unable or do not wish to return to campus this fall, you will be able to take online classes. Not all classes will be available online, however, so you will need to assess how such choices could impact your path to graduation.

We strongly encourage you to discuss your academic plans with your advisors, who can assist in developing creative solutions to your unique situations.

A successful return for the fall term depends on all Mavericks doing their part. This includes wearing masks inside buildings, disinfecting classrooms, observing social distancing and adopting our full range of safety and prevention protocols.

When we resume on-campus classes and operations this fall, things will look and feel different from past semesters. What won’t change is our determination to keep your best interests at the center of all we do. We look forward to welcoming you back, whether online or face-to-face, in the fall. Thank you for all you do for UTA, and go Mavs!