See also Non-Traditional and Distance Learning Policy.
...
The class schedule indicates the required amount of time for each class to meet. The teacher has the privilege of minor variations in the amount of time spent in class but should confer with the department chair/program director or respective dean’s office if regular or substantial deviations from the announced schedule are desired.To meet state of Virginia requirements, the
The class schedule is designed so that classes meet 750 minutes (15 50-minute periods, 10 75 -minute periods, etc.) per to meet federal and state credit hour requirements, and in general provides for 50 minutes of classroom/instructional activity per week per credit/semester hour (e.g., 150 minutes per week for a 3 credit hour (semester hour), including final examinations. ) 15-week semester course). The class schedule’s design requires that courses meet during the final exam period (100 minutes) in order to achieve the required number of instructional hours.
At the undergraduate level, a long-held assumption is that students put in 2 hours of study per 1 hour in class classroom/instructional activity. Thus, for one undergraduate credit hour a student is expected to engage in class in classroom/instructional activity for 750 minutes or 12.5 hours and engage out of class in additional study for 1,500 minutes or 25 hours; in total this represents 2,250 minutes or 37.5 hours of engagement per credit hour.
The graduate assumption is 2.5-3 hours of study per hour in class classroom/instructional activity. Thus, for one graduate credit hour a student is expected to engage in class in classroom/instructional activity for 750 minutes or 12.5 hours and engage out of class engage in additional study for 1,875-2,250 minutes or 31.25-37.5 hours; in total this represents 2,625-3,000 minutes or 43.75-50 hours of engagement per credit hour. Note that for EMU programs in Lancaster, PA, Pennsylvania standards require 14 hours of class time per credit hour, excluding final examinations.
The university assumes that students will participate in campus-wide learning via the convocation program (required as part of the undergraduate core curriculum), the Academic and Creative Excellence (ACE) Festival, and Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Study Day as part of the instructional activity that contributes to their overall academic engagement. In particular, participation in the ACE Festival and MLK Study Day is expected and often required as part of the learning activities outlined in course syllabi.
The tables below provide in-class, out-of-class and total engagement expectations for a variety of course scenarios.
...
Graduate students considering withdrawal during the semester are asked to counsel with their respective program director. The program director will assist the student with the proper procedures for official withdrawal from the university. Seminary students considering withdrawal are asked to counsel with the associate dean or the dean of the seminary.
Revised for clarification July 2019
Updated and approved by Provost's Council, March 2020