Fall term to combine online, in-person, hybrid courses
When it comes to classes and schedules for the fall term, the “new normal” at The University of Texas at Arlington is taking shape.
After spending part of the spring semester and all of summer in an all-online format, UTA is preparing for the Fall 2020 semester with a hybrid teaching format that combines in-person and online learning. Classes will continue this way until Thanksgiving, at which point the semester will continue in an online-only format to avoid the possibility of students contracting COVID-19 while on break and then spreading the virus to classmates.
UTA students can already see which Fall 2020 courses will be taught face-to-face, online or as a hybrid of the two so they can begin planning for the term. While full details on course modality won’t be available in MyMav until mid-July, the schedule of courses there is already up-to-date.
Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in their fall classes now so that space assignments for face-to-face and hybrid courses can be made. To ensure safe social distancing, classrooms used for face-to-face or hybrid classes will only accommodate between 25%-34% of room capacity.
“We are committed to making the best decisions for your education and appreciate the flexibility and perseverance that you model during these unusual times,” said Pranesh Aswath, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. “The University continues developing an academic plan that encourages social distancing and provides the safest environment for our Maverick community.”
Fall classes will be in these basic formats:
- 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).
Check the Mavs Back 2020 site for more stories on what to expect as UTA safely returns to campus for fall 2020. You also can check the Coronavirus and Fall 2020 Semester page, which is UTA’s official site for up-to-date information on campus operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.