Courses and Programs
Course Numbering
Courses at Lindenwood are numbered sequentially.
- 01000-09999: Preparatory coursework, with credit hours not counting toward the cumulative total number of credit hours required to earn a bachelor’s degree
- 10000-19999: Introductory courses open to all students, normally not having prerequisites
- 20000-29999: Specialized courses open to all students, which may or may not have prerequisites
- 30000-39999: Advanced courses which may or may not have prerequisites
- 40000-49999: Senior level courses normally having prerequisites
- 50000-79999: Master’s, Thesis, EdS, EdD, and graduate workshops
- 80000-99999: Doctoral level courses and graduate workshops
Course Offering Frequency
The schedule of course offerings is dependent on student enrollment and availability of qualified instructors. The university reserves the right to cancel any course when enrollment is below minimum requirements or a qualified instructor is not available. It is up to the discretion of the individual college of the timeline of when/how a course is to be offered. Students should contact their advisor if they have questions about when a specific course will be offered.
The enrollment limit and prerequisite(s) of a course may be overridden by a dean (or others who are designated signatories) of the college the course is within. The student will need to complete a paper enrollment form including the authorized signature of the dean allowing the override and the student’s advisor. The form can be emailed to AcademicServices@lindenwood.edu for processing.
Course Instructional Method
Asynchronous Learning
An instructional approach that refers to learning that occurs when the instructor and the students all engage with the course content at different times (and from different locations). Asynchronous online learning is commonly facilitated by media such as e-mail and discussion boards, and is facilitated in a way that ensures regular and substantive interactions between learners and instructors, even when participants are not online at the same time.
Hyflex Learning
An instructional approach that combines on-ground (face-to-face) and online learning (on-ground, hybrid, & semi-hybrid courses) to provide regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors. Each class session and learning activity is offered in-person, synchronously online, and asynchronously online. Students can change their mode of attendance weekly or by topic, according to need or preference.
Synchronous Learning
An instructional approach that refers to all types of learning in which learners and instructors are in the same place (physical or virtual), at the same time, in order for instruction and learning to take place. This includes face-to-face classes and live online meetings when the whole class or smaller groups get together. Synchronous learning that occurs in online courses is often facilitated by media such as videoconferencing, shared documents, and live chat, and is facilitated in a way that ensures regular and substantive interactions between learners and instructors.
Student Requirements for Asynchronous, Hyflex, and Synchronous Learning
Hardware
- Computer with 2.58 GHZ or higher processor speed and at least 4 GB RAM.
- Webcam or camera on a mobile device.
Operating Systems
- Windows 7 and newer.
- Mac OSX 10.6 and newer.
- Linux - chromeOS.
- High-speed Internet connection (six Mbps or higher).
Software
- Microsoft Office 2016 or newer.
- Microsoft Office 365 is provided free of charge to all Lindenwood University faculty, staff, and students. Information on download and installation can be found at Academic Support Resources Information Technology Office 365.
- The latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader or Preview to open and view .pdf documents.
- The latest version of Java.
- Mobile Operating Systems (Optional)
- iOS 10 and newer.
- Android 7 and newer.
Attendance
Attendance in an online course is based on submission of one or more academic activities, such as discussion board participation, quiz, exam, paper, or other graded assignment. Logging into a course, submitting the institutional ethics agreement, or submitting an introductory video does not constitute academic attendance.
Student Authentication and Video Content
Lindenwood takes academic integrity very seriously; therefore, compliance with student authentication requirements is a condition of enrollment in all online and hybrid courses. As per the Higher Education Opportunity Act (Public Law 110–315), student authentication is defined as “processes to establish that the student who registers for a distance education course or program is the same student who participates in and completes the program and receives the academic credit.”
Institutional authentication requirements include an ethics agreement, introductory video, end-of-course survey, and course specific methods, including but not limited to live or video proctoring, authentication technology, video assignments, videoconferences, and/or extensive writing assignments. The methods of student authentication incorporated into a particular course can be found in its syllabus. Any costs associated with authentication are disclosed prior to enrollment via fees included in course schedules.
To facilitate authentication measures, students must have ready access to a webcam or camera on a mobile device. Students who enroll in online or hybrid courses must also have a current photo, confirmed by a valid form of identification, within Lindenwood's student information system.
Students who fail to comply with authentication requirements may be withdrawn from the course at the discretion of the dean. Students withdrawn from a course are subject to university withdrawal policies and other consequences if the change moves them from full-time to part-time status.
Distance-delivered Course
Courses in which at least 75 percent of the instruction and interaction occurs via electronic communication, correspondence, or equivalent mechanisms, with the faculty and students physically separated from each other. Requirements for coming to campus for orientation, testing, or academic support services do not exclude a course from being classified as distance education.
Distance Learning
Course in which 100 percent of the instruction and interaction is provided through video conferencing. Class meets at a regularly scheduled day and time each week with the professor and classmates through a video conference classroom.
Hybrid Course
A hybrid course combines scheduled synchronous and asynchronous learning activities to provide regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors. A hybrid course usually has fewer than 75 percent of its activities occurring in a face-to-face format.
Note: For VA: *Hybrid training must have at least one session that meets the definition of a standard class session (i.e. one 50-minute class,) but does not have to meet weekly.
Independent Study
An independent study is an innovative, nonstandard class involving independent research/study on the part of the student under the guidance of an instructor. The contact time requirement for an independent study is one documented contact hour every two weeks. It is strongly recommended that undergraduate students who are granted independent studies have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Graduate students should have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA to qualify for an independent study course. Independent study courses cannot be used to meet an undergraduate general education requirement.
To enroll in an independent study course, the Independent Study Proposal form must be completed, signed, and returned to the Office of the Registrar no later than the third week of the term in which the work is to be done. An Add/Drop/Enrollment form and a one- to two- page course outline prepared by the student after consultation with the instructor must be attached.
Internships
Internships are available in many areas of study and provide the opportunity for students to obtain academic credit through an out-of-classroom work experience. Academic colleges’ standards vary by program. Students interested in applying for internships should contact their faculty advisor for additional information. Internships are billed at the current tuition rate per credit hour. Internships may earn between zero and 12 credit hours depending on the program. Credit hours for internships are listed in course descriptions. Some degree programs may necessitate additional fieldwork and written documentation. Students, however, must meet the minimum standards set forth in this policy to be awarded credit for the internship.
Curriculum Practical Training (CPT)
CPT is special work authorization for international students. It allows them to participate in internships or work off campus as long as they are enrolled in an internship course for that term.
• CPT is term based, meaning that it is only authorized for the term that the student is taking the internship course.
• Students must have CPT added to their I-20 if they are receiving compensation or participating in a paid internship opportunity. If they are non-paid / volunteer internships, then CPT does not need to be authorized on their I-20.
• CPT will only be authorized for part-time while the term is in session.
• Undergraduate/Graduate students:
• During the fall and spring semesters students can only work part-time.
• Semester students can work full-time during the summer session.
• See Co-curricular Employment for International Students for more information.
On-Ground Course
(Also called Face-to-Face or In-Person) An instructional method where 100 percent of the course content and learning materials are delivered and is taught in person to a group of students, or in some cases to an individual student. This allows for synchronous interaction between a learner and an instructor who are physically located in the same physical environment.
Online Course
A type of ‘distance delivered course’ in which 100 percent of the instruction and interaction for a particular course occurs via electronic communication, correspondence or equivalent mechanisms, where there is regular and substantive interaction between the students and instructor, and where the faculty and students are physically separated from each other. In an online course, there are no required face-to-face sessions and no requirements for on-campus activity.
Note: For VA, when a course is taken solely online, the course must be certified to VA as distance training.
Online courses might be assigned a lab fee (determined by each individual college) if they utilize a proctoring service for testing.
There is no limit on the number of online courses a semester undergraduate student can take per semester, except students with F-1 visas. For F-1 students enrolled in classes for credit or classroom hours, no more than the equivalent of one class or three credit hours per term, may be counted toward the full course of study requirement if the class is taken online or through distance education and does not require the student's physical attendance for classes, examination or other purposes integral to completion of the class. An online or distance education course is a course that is offered principally through the use of television, audio, or computer transmission including open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, satellite, audio conferencing, or computer conferencing.
Semi-Hybrid Course
A semi-hybrid course combines scheduled synchronous and asynchronous learning activities to provide regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors. A semi-hybrid course usually has fewer than 50 percent of its activities occurring in a face-to-face format.
Special Topics Course
Special topics courses, listed alphabetically according to department prefix (indicated here by “XXX”), are followed by a course number, as follows: XXX 09000-09999, XXX 19000-19999, XXX 29000-29999, XXX 39000-39999, XXX 49000-49999, XXX 59000-59999, XXX 69000-69999, XXX 79000-79999. These courses are offered to cover special topics within a college or department. Special topics courses may be worth one to six credit hours and may be repeated, in some cases. Departments may designate specific course numbers for special topics courses if the courses meet general education or major requirements. Lab fees may be required.
Tutorial
A tutorial is a class listed in the catalog taught to a student on an individual basis. The content of the course is the same as the material taught in the regularly scheduled class. The contact time requirement for a tutorial is one documented contact hour per week during which the subject matter will be discussed and student progress evaluated. Only instructors who have previously taught the class in the regular session will be approved to teach a tutorial unless permission is granted by the dean. Only students with a true need will be considered for a tutorial, and it is up to the academic college and the instructor whether to grant a tutorial. It is strongly recommended that undergraduate students who are granted tutorials have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Graduate students should have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA to qualify for a tutorial course.
To enroll in a tutorial course, the tutorial proposal form must be completed, signed, and returned to the Office of Academic Services no later than the third week of the term in which the work is to be done. An add/drop/enrollment form and a syllabus must be attached.
Program Types
Consortium Program
Lindenwood University belongs to a consortium of colleges and universities in the Greater St. Louis area. The consortium includes Fontbonne University, Maryville University, Missouri Baptist University, and Webster University. Full-time traditional undergraduate Lindenwood students may enroll in courses offered at colleges and universities in the consortium and count those hours as part of their Lindenwood degree programs. Students must be enrolled full-time at Lindenwood University during the same term of enrollment at colleges and universities in the consortium. No additional tuition cost is involved for combined enrollments between 12 and 18 hours. Lab fees will be charged at the host university.
Online Program
A type of ‘distance-delivered program’ in which 100 percent of the instruction and interaction for a particular program occurs via electronic communication, correspondence or equivalent mechanisms, where there is regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor, and where the faculty and students are physically separated from each other. There are no required face-to-face sessions within the courses and no requirements for on-campus activity.
Study Abroad Program
Lindenwood University recognizes the value that studying abroad brings to a student’s education and encourages students to take advantage of study abroad opportunities. The student has the following study abroad options:
• Faculty-led courses for short-term study abroad, such as courses offered during throughout the year.
• Lindenwood semester abroad programs through our partner universities or study abroad providers.
• Summer opportunities to take classes abroad, complete an internship or conduct field research.
• An established program supervised by another American college or university, with academic credits being transferred back to Lindenwood.
• Independent study (either under the direction of a member of the Lindenwood faculty or by a host institution) that has been recognized by the sponsoring member of the Lindenwood faculty. A student who embarks on such study must send an official transcript through ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) for evaluation before the credits can be accepted by Lindenwood.
The student must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a study abroad program:
• Be in good academic, social, and financial standing with Lindenwood University.
• Either have facility in the spoken language of the host country or be planning to study the language as a part of the approved study abroad coursework if this is required for the program.
• Meet course- or program-specific prerequisites.
All responsibility for travel, finances, application for admission to a foreign institution (where applicable), and the making of any other necessary arrangements rests with the student. For some programs, a student’s enrollment in a program of study abroad is considered enrollment at the home institution for the purposes of applying for assistance under the Title IV programs. Students should consult the Office of Student Financial Services for additional information. Any student planning to take a course from any institution other than Lindenwood should complete a Prior Approval form before leaving. This will guarantee that the credit will be accepted by Lindenwood.
Any study abroad coursework must be approved by the department at Lindenwood that will recommend credit. The academic advisor will help the student make appropriate course choices. Final approval of the program and the credit to be granted after completion of the study abroad period rests with the assistant director of the study abroad program after consulting the associate provost of curriculum and experiential learning. Questions about student study abroad opportunities may be directed to the assistant director of study abroad at StudyAbroad@lindenwood.edu.
Note: In order to participate in study abroad programs, students must be degree-seeking students at Lindenwood University. Specific programs may have additional requirements. Deadlines for application vary according to the program, and it is the responsibility of the student to be informed as to those deadlines.
Student Modality
Modality refers to the way that students receive instruction. Lindenwood University is proud to offer two modalities for our degree programs: online and on-ground. Students are admitted as either online or on-ground students and are expected to complete the majority of their coursework via modality under which they were admitted. If an undergraduate student is considering shifting their mode of study from on-ground, classroom instruction to online learning (or from online to on-ground), they should be aware of a few potential ramifications.
Students who transition from on ground to online will lose eligibility of certain Lindenwood University grants and scholarships.
Tuition costs will change from a flat rate to a per-credit-hour-rate.
Student athletes should contact their coach before changing from on-ground to online.
Veterans who are interested in changing to online education should contact the university’s Veteran Affairs office.
For international students, switching to all online classes could jeopardize your visa status; international students should contact the Office of Admissions and Services for International Students with any concerns about taking on-ground classes.
Once a student has conferred with the necessary offices, they can download and complete the Petition for Change of Modality form with their advisor and email it to AcademicServices@lindenwood.edu.