UW-River Falls has adopted policies that define the modes of instruction for each course offered through the university. These definitions align with requirement of the Higher Learning Commission. Students are able to see the mode of instruction at the time of registration, and should consult course notes associated with each section of a class to ensure that they have full information about how the course is offered. The official modes of instruction are below.
- FTF (face–to-face): Courses in which intructors interact with students in the same physical space for approximately 75 percent or more of the instructional time.
- Mixed FTF: Courses in which instructors interact with students in the same physical space for less than 75 percent of the instructional time, with the remainder of the instructional time provided through distance or correspondence education.
- Distance e.g. online delivery: Courses in which instructors interact wih students through one or more forms of distance delivery for 75% or more for that interaction.
- Correspondence: Courses in which instructors inteact with students through mail or electronic interface, typically according to a self paced schedule for 75% or more for that interaction.
- Independent/Directed study: Courses in which instructors interact with students through a flexible format.
- Weekend College: Courses offered in the evening or on the weekend as another scheduling option for students, but the courses provide similar class meetings or instructional time as those courses offered by the institution during the regular day.
- Intership or practica: Courses that involve onsight experiential and practical learning that generally is provided in part by a university collaborator.
Source: Faculty and Staff Handbook, Chapter Nine, Section 9.2.8