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Course Types & Components

The following definitions apply to in-person, hybrid, and fully-online classes. The associated Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) policy is provided for further clarification of each definition. For suggestions on calculating contact hours for hybrid and fully-online classes, see examples compiled by the Office of Digital Learning.

Definitions for House Numbered Courses (e.g., Seminar, Colloquium, and Workshop) are provided here and on a handout defining both standard and house-numbered course types and components.

Course Type
or Component

Definition

Required Contact and Homework Hours
(per
ABOR POLICY 2-224)

Lecture

Standard course type. Lecture courses are led by the instructor and may include a variety of pedagogy types.

At least 15 contact hours of recitation, lecture, discussion, testing or evaluation, seminar, or colloquium, as well as a minimum of 30 hours of student homework is required for each unit of credit.

Lab

A course set aside for supervised laboratory or field experimentation, observation, or practice in a field of study or a course incorporating practical experience. 

Laboratory courses require a minimum of 45 contact hours per unit of credit. Field trips will be counted hour-for-hour as laboratory meetings.

Discussion

Interactional meeting typically serving as a secondary component that can include activities such as demonstrations, hands-on engagements, case studies, field experiences.

At least 15 contact hours of recitation, lecture, discussion, testing or evaluation, seminar, or colloquium, as well as a minimum of 30 hours of student homework is required for each unit of credit.

Studio

A course set aside for supervised creative and/or artistic endeavors incorporating practical experiences and possibly individualized instruction.

Studios must involve at least 30 contact hours and at least 15 hours of homework for each unit of credit. 

*Note:  Music instruction and specialized types of music performance offerings must conform to the requirement for accreditation of the National Association of Schools of Music.


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Related Policies: