Although NDMU is not required to take attendance by state, federal, or regional accrediting agencies, attendance is documented in the first week of certain courses to authenticate initial participation in academically-related activity. Additional course attendance requirements are designated by faculty members and vary depending on course content, learning outcomes, and assignments. Students should consult the “Course Policies” section of the
syllabus for details.
Online Courses
Students are expected to have active, consistent, and timely engagement in online courses and to participate in the course’s academically-related activities.
Academically-related activities in an online course include, but are not limited to:
- submitting an academic assignment;
- taking an exam, an interactive tutorial, or computer‐assisted instruction;
- attending a study group that is assigned by the University;
- participating in an online discussion about academic matters; and
- initiating contact with a faculty member to ask a question about the academic subject studied in
the course.
As a general rule, students should expect to spend a total of 45 hours of time per credit over the course of the trimester. As a general rule, students should expect to spend a total of 45 hours of time per credit over the course of the trimester. See Section 2.2.3 below for additional information and examples.
On‐Campus Courses
While attendance requirements may vary, all students must participate in required learning activities and assessments. As with online courses, students are expected to have active, consistent, and timely engagement in on‐campus courses and to participate in the course’s academically related activities.
Academically-related activities in an on‐campus course include, but are not limited to:
- physically attending a class where there is an opportunity for direct interaction between the
- instructor and students;
- submitting an academic assignment;
- taking an exam, an interactive tutorial, or computer‐assisted instruction;
- attending a study group that is assigned by the University;
- participating in an online discussion about academic matters; and
- initiating contact with a faculty member to ask a question about the academic subject studied in the course.
The in‐classroom and out‐of‐classroom hours vary for on‐campus courses depending on the type of course (e.g., didactic vs. lab) and whether the course is in an intensive or trimester‐long format. As with online courses, students should expect to spend a total of 45 hours of time per credit over the course of the trimester. This includes hours inside the classroom and hours working outside the classroom (reading, reviewing notes, completing assignments, etc.). See Section 2.2.3 below for additional information and examples.
For Both Online and On Campus Courses
As a general rule, students should expect to spend a total of 45 hours of time per credit over the course of the trimester, in accordance with Policy 6065: Assignment of Credit Hours.
For example, in both a 3-credit course offered over 14 weeks and a 1.5 credit course offered over 7 weeks, students should expect to spend a minimum of nine hours per week engaging in the modules and work that accompanies the course.
Example 1: A 3-Credit Course Offered Over 14 Weeks A 3-credit course = (3 credits) x (45 hours/credit) =
135 hours
Students should expect to spend 135 hours divided by 14 weeks in the course = 9.6 hours per week
Example 2: A 1.5-Credit Course Offered Over 7 Weeks
A 1.5-credit course = (1.5 credits) x (45 hours/credit) = 67.5 hours