Course Content and Student Workload

Course Information Policy

By the first meeting of the semester, the instructor will provide the School of Graduate Studies* and each student in each course and section a written and dated course syllabus. The syllabus must contain at least the following information:

1. The course name and number, section number, semester, instructor’s name, and a method of reaching the instructor (e.g., office location, email address, telephone extension, Zoom Meeting ID).
2. The faculty member’s process for setting up pre-arranged meetings with students, including any meetings held in person, remotely or virtually.
3. Official course description, including any prerequisites and credit hours associated with successful completion of the course.
4. Description of the expected time commitment of the course, consistent with the Credit Hour Definition and Application policy. This should address the hours of direct instruction (e.g., lecture, lecture videos, discussions, discussion boards) and out-of-class work (e.g., readings, assignments, projects, independent group meetings). Requirements for mandatory synchronous class meetings and the medium for those meetings should be provided.
5. Course goals and learning objectives.
6. The course requirements with brief assignment descriptions and associated grade weights for assessment such as papers, projects, and examinations (with due dates if possible). These assessments should be clearly tied to the course learning objectives.
7. The instructor’s attendance policy for the course (e.g., no attendance taken, number of absences allowed, any penalty for extensive absence), which must be aligned with university policy [JB1] and consistent with Massachusetts law on absences for religious beliefs (Chapter 151C).  
8. A list of materials (e.g., textbooks) and tools (e.g., software, instruments) needed for the course, indicating if required or optional and if available as an Open Educational Resource.                             
9. A statement regarding if there is a final assessment and, if so, the nature of the assessment (e.g., required or optional, in person or online, synchronous or asynchronous, proctored or not).
10. The method by which the student’s final grade in the course will be determined.
11. The instructor’s policies on work handed in late, makeup examinations, and the like.
12. Any special rules, regulations, or procedures of the course.
13. A statement indicating that each student is responsible for completing all course requirements and for keeping up with all that goes on in the course (whether or not the student is present). 
14. The current equal access statement: “Salem State University is committed to providing equal access to the educational experience for all students in compliance with Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act and The Americans with Disabilities Act and to providing all reasonable academic accommodations, aids and adjustments. Any student who has a documented disability requiring an accommodation, aid or adjustment should speak with the instructor immediately. Students with Disabilities who have not previously done so should provide documentation to and schedule an appointment with the Center for Accessible Academic Resources to request appropriate services and accommodations.”
15. The current emergency statement: “In the event of a university declared critical emergency, Salem State University reserves the right to alter this course plan. Students should refer to Salem State for further information and updates. The course attendance policy stays in effect until there is a university declared critical emergency. In the event of an emergency, please refer to the alternative educational plans for this course located at/in [faculty member determines this]. Students should review the plans and gather all required materials before an emergency is declared.” 

Changes to the Course Syllabus

Instructors of semester-long courses who develop course requirements as the semester goes along will so indicate on the syllabus. Once requirements have been established, students will receive a written and dated copy of them and of the method by which the final grade will be computed. This statement will be distributed a week prior to the last day to withdraw from the course. In courses less than a semester in length, this information shall be provided no more than half-way through the course.

If in the professional judgment of the instructor it is necessary to modify course requirements after the course has begun, students will be given a written and dated copy of the modifications, and the School of Graduate Studies will be provided an updated copy of the syllabus with the modifications included as an addendum. Such modifications will be consistent with the nature and purpose of the course.

Deviations from the Course Information Policy

A student who believes that the Course Information Policy has not been followed should bring the matter first to the instructor; second, if necessary, to the Program Coordinator; third, to the department chair; fourth, to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies; fifth, to the Graduate Education Council; and, ultimately, to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

*Syllabi maintained by the School of Graduate Studies are not for student use during the current semester.

Course Load

Nine credits are considered full time for most graduate students. Six credits are full time for the Geo-Information Science program, Business programs (MBA, MS Accounting and Certificate in Business), Occupational Therapy, and History (MA, MAT, and Certificate in Public History) Part-time graduate students are reminded that a maximum of two courses per semester is strongly recommended. The study expectations for such a commitment precludes taking additional hours when one is employed full time.

Credit Hour Definition and Application 

All Salem State University graduate courses must adhere to the United States federal definition of a “credit hour.” This definition, based on the Carnegie unit of academic credit, is defined in 34 CFR 600.2, and may be modified by the federal government.  

At Salem State University, a credit hour is defined as an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that reasonably approximates either:  

• one semester hour (one fifty-minute period or equivalent) per week of classroom or direct faculty instruction, assuming a 15-week course; and  
• a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or  
• at least an equivalent amount of work in or outside the classroom as required in the previous two bullet points of this definition for other academic activities including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.  

To elaborate, a traditional, in-person, 15-week, 3-credit graduate course (see table) typically involves three hours (150 minutes) of direct instruction (e.g., lectures, discussions, exams, instructor-guided activities) and six to nine hours of out-of-class work (e.g., readings, projects, papers) each week. However, the allocation of hours may vary depending on the course type (e.g., lecture, seminar, laboratory, internship) and modality (e.g., in-person, hybrid, online), with varying amounts used for direct classroom learning and out-of-class student work. Additionally, an equivalent amount of work (e.g., 135 hours for a 3-credit course) may be condensed into fewer weeks (e.g., 6, 8) for accelerated course schedules. It is important to note that certain experiential learning components such as internships, practica, clinical supervision, and other requirements may necessitate additional hours in line with disciplinary norms, accreditation standards, and licensure requirements.  

Typical Breakdown of Minimum Hours per Week based on Credit Hour and Course Duration 

Note: This chart represents a typical distribution between direct faculty instruction and out-of-class work of the minimum hours; however, students should consult course syllabi for specific information as the total requirement may exceed the minimum in some cases and be allocated differently due to course type or modality. 

In graduate degree programs, this work should indicate a specialization of knowledge in a specific area and be progressively more advanced than the work of undergraduate degree programs to encourage students to show;  

1. Engagement with content, peers, and instructor;  
2. Rigorous, critical thinking about ideas from a variety of sources and perspectives;  
3. Well-articulated and integrated written and oral communication, demonstrating depth and sophisticated analysis;  
4. Mastery of content and skills;  
5. Synthesis of theories and concepts to obtain a deep, understanding of the field and related disciplines;  
6. Application with sensitivity to contextual and individual factors;   
7. Creation of new knowledge; and   
8. Similar educational outcomes consistent with disciplinary standards and expectations.   

Attendance

Regular attendance in all courses is required. The course instructor will establish the specific attendance policy for each course.

Student Absence for Religious Beliefs

Any graduate student who is unable to attend a class or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day of religious observance will be provided with an opportunity to make up that examination, study or work requirement, provided, however, that such make up shall not create an unreasonable burden upon the school. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the School of Graduate Studies for making this opportunity available to the student, and no adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student exercising this prerogative. (See Chapter 151C of the General Laws of Massachusetts.)