KYSU Online courses offered in subterms are eight (8) weeks long and contain study modules. As such, a module corresponds to a calendar week within the subterm. If the course were offered in an academic semester term over 16 weeks, for example, each of the eight modules would span more than a calendar week.
A module is a discrete collection of learning activities that focuses on elements of the course topics and learning outcomes. Each module provides students with opportunities for academic engagement with the course and instructor. Modules organize the course learning activities into a logical progression that facilitates a scaffolded approach to student learning in an asynchronous course.
A student-centered school is mindful of the different needs of residential and online students. Sub-terms occurring within the delimitations of the standard terms of an academic year, such as semesters, are beneficial for online programs in several ways.
For student recruiting and enrollment, subterms reduce the time between start dates for new students, which can be attractive to prospective students.
Focusing on fewer courses at once can be helpful for students who are in a career or shouldering more substantial domestic responsibilities than a typical 18- to 22-year-old residential undergraduate student. Subterms enable students to consolidate their efforts on fewer courses at once while allowing them to complete the same number of courses within an academic term/semester.
Full-time students can frontload or backload their course schedule across the subterms while remaining full-time. For example, a full-time residential student would carry 12 credit hours or four courses per semester. The equivalent credits for a full-time online student could be achieved in several configurations:
Two courses in subterm B and two courses in subterm C
Three courses in subterm B and one course in subterm C
One course in subterm B and three courses in subterm C21
See also the document, KYSU Online Academic Calendar, Terms, and Subterms Policy.
Commented [JM24]: We need to confirm the terminology to use for sub-terms. B and D are used here as placeholders.
The academic calendar, consisting of two semesters and a summer session, is depicted below, along with academic terms and subterms for the online programs. The fall is in the top third of the image; the spring is in the middle. The summer is in the bottom third. Since the summer session is shorter than a typical semester, subterms B and C overlap.
21 Students should be limited to a maximum of 3 courses per sub-term apart from rare exceptions.
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