Background:
The New York State Department of Education (NYSED) requires that all registered programs – defined here as all bachelors, masters, doctoral, and law degrees, as well as certificates of advanced study – be designated as “standard” or “distance.” According to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), distance education is “education that uses one or more types of technology to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor and to support regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor synchronously or asynchronously.”[1] For the purposes of this policy, ‘standard’ courses are those taught in person and, hereafter, described as ‘in person.’ ‘Distance’ courses are those taught online and, hereafter, described as ‘online.’ NYSED guidelines mandate that students must receive instruction in the registered format for at least 50% of their courses of study.[2] This policy governs the circumstances under which residential undergraduate students – defined for purposes of this policy as those undergraduate students enrolled in in-person programs on our main campus in Syracuse, NY – may take online courses.
The highest quality of instruction is a priority in all Syracuse University courses. This policy is not based in any perception that one format is of higher quality but, instead, reflects Syracuse University’s judgment on how to achieve the goals set forth below. This policy is also important for practical reasons. Since it is not possible to offer all Syracuse University undergraduate courses in both in-person and online formats, rules regarding cross-enrollment are important in the management of faculty workload and efficiency.
As Syracuse University expands its portfolio of online undergraduate degree programs and courses and as the number of students in those programs increases, schools and colleges may find it beneficial to allow residential undergraduate students to take certain online courses from related online programs and may also wish to offer online courses specifically for residential undergraduate students in subjects where that approach makes sense.
Policy scope:
This policy applies to all residential undergraduate students, defined for purposes of this policy as those students enrolled in in-person undergraduate programs on our main campus in Syracuse, NY, as well as to Registrar processes and student academic advising related to undergraduate students.
Guiding principles for this policy:
This policy is designed to ensure that the University complies with NYSED and other relevant regulations and accreditation standards; to promote a vibrant culture of scholarship and teaching on campus in all instructional modalities; and to provide residential undergraduate students flexibility in completing their academic programs. It is almost meant to provide schools and colleges flexibility to innovate within their undergraduate academic programs.
The guiding principles for this policy include the following:
- Individual undergraduate academic programs ultimately control the balance of in-person vs. online courses that students may take by controlling the mode of instruction of the courses they both offer and count toward the completion of their degrees or certificates. This policy is not intended to require undergraduate academic programs to offer online courses to residential undergraduate students, but it does stipulate limits for how many online courses residential undergraduate students may take.
- Promoting a holistic experience for residential undergraduate students can result in long-term relationships and loyalty toward students’ program, college, and university and, therefore, is an aim of this policy.
- Programs may wish, for pedagogical reasons, to teach certain courses to residential undergraduate students in an online format.
- Access to online courses may facilitate residential undergraduate students’ participation in semester-based internship programs, co-ops, and other experiential learning activities. Similarly, access to online courses may help clear roadblocks for residential undergraduate students wishing to study abroad or away.
Policy:
This policy concerns the overall mode of instruction for undergraduate courses—in person vs. online. In-person courses may incorporate online components, including the use of learning management systems, online resources, recorded materials, “flipped classrooms,” and guest speakers, critics, and instructors who connect remotely. These elements do not make an in-person course an online course. Online courses are those courses which are planned, designed, and regularly scheduled to be taught online.
Syracuse University undergraduate students in programs registered as “standard” (i.e., in person) may take online courses so long as the number and percentage of online courses taken do not exceed the thresholds identified below. This policy is intended to ensure that undergraduate students are provided opportunities to vary their modes of instruction while also ensuring that the university’s goals for each program are maintained.
International students in student immigration status must abide by federal requirements and/or their home country policies and/or sponsoring agencies that may be more restrictive than this policy. The elements of this policy hold for all residential undergraduate students, including those who are studying away or abroad.
This policy starts from the assumption that its elements should reflect the goals and distinctive aspects of undergraduate education and programs and should support positive experiences for all undergraduate students enrolled in Syracuse University programs. Any deviation from these guidelines requires approval from the Vice Chancellor, Provost, and Chief Academic Officer (i.e., the Provost), and such approval will only be offered under extraordinary circumstances.
This policy describes Syracuse University’s programmatic plans, is subject to change, and does not establish any contractual rights for any Syracuse University undergraduate student. In addition, in the event of a disruption to educational or other services for reasons beyond the University’s control, the University reserves the right to change the requirements of this policy and to permit or require that residential undergraduate students take a greater proportion of online courses than specified within this policy.
Undergraduate Students who violate this policy may be required to take additional in-person courses. Enforcement of this policy will begin with student undergraduate cohorts beginning in the Fall 2025 semester.
Undergraduate academic programs
- Residential undergraduate students enrolled in in-person bachelor’s degree programs may take up to 30 credits of online courses. Online courses offered during Summer, Maymester, and Winterlude do not count toward this cap of 30 credits, but the total number of online credits must never exceed 50% of a residential undergraduate student’s program.
- Residential international undergraduate students in student immigration status must abide by all policies of the U.S. government and their home government, if applicable. At the time of this writing, U.S. regulations limit such students to no more than one online course toward full-time enrollment per semester. If undergraduate students have questions regarding their immigration status and eligibility for online courses, they should consult with the Center for International Services.
- Incoming residential undergraduate students (first-year or transfer) will be allowed no more than one online course during their first year of study.
- Residential undergraduate transfer students may take up to 6 credits in online courses each academic year that they complete at Syracuse University, up to 24 total credits in online courses. Online courses offered during Summer, Maymester, and Winterlude do not count toward this cap of 24 credits.
- Instructors of record for internships, independent studies, experiential credit, and credit-bearing experiential learning for residential undergraduate students must report whether the course’s modality is in person or online, prior to students enrolling in these courses.
Approved by Provost: March 27, 2025
Effective Date: Fall 2025
[1] https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/use-the-data/distance-education-in-ipeds
[2]https://www.nysed.gov/college-university-evaluation/review-process-approval-programs-distance-education-format