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Terms & Sessions

Overview of Terms & Sessions

The Academic Year (AY) runs from September to August, divided into Fall, Spring, and Summer Terms. Each term includes different session formats: full-term, half-term, and mini sessions.

 

See All Standard Meeting Patterns (SMPs)

For a complete overview of terms, sessions, meeting patterns, and policies, access the full document.

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Abbreviations & Definitions

SMP Standard Meeting Pattern
SCH Semester Credit Hour
AY Academic Year
F2F Face-to-Face
OS Online Synchronous
OA Online Asynchronous
HYB Hybrid
8W1 / 8W2 Eight-Week One & Two Sessions
5WK1 / 5WK2 Five-Week One & Two Sessions
6WK1 / 6WK2 Six-Week One & Two Sessions (MBA Only)

List of Terms & Sessions

  • Fall Regular Session (16 weeks)
  • Fall Eight Week One Session (8W1)
  • Fall Eight Week Two Session (8W2)

  • Spring Mini Session (MIN)
  • Spring Regular Session (16 weeks)
  • Spring Eight Week One Session (8W1)
  • Spring Eight Week Two Session (8W2)

  • Summer Mini Session (MIN)
  • Summer Regular Session (8 weeks)
  • Five Week One Session (5WK1)
  • Six Week One Session (6WK1) (MBA Only)
  • Five Week Two Session (5WK2)
  • Six Week Two Session (6WK2) (MBA Only)

Academic Calendar Maintenance

UHD follows the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Common Calendar.

The Provost’s Office and Calendar Committee maintain a rolling three-year calendar.

Important dates include registration, final exams, grade submission, and financial aid deadlines.

Calendar updates are reviewed annually before finalization.

Calendar Committee Composition

Includes faculty from each college, the Registrar, and key administrative staff.

Faculty members serve staggered two-year terms.

The Committee Chair must be a faculty member, elected by the voting members.

Standard Meeting Patterns (SMP)

Standardized scheduling for face-to-face (F2F), hybrid, and online synchronous (OS) courses.

Must comply with state and university policies on contact hours.

Direct Instruction Requirements:

  • F2F & OS courses: 45 total contact hours.
  • Hybrid courses: At least 22.5 hours of in-person instruction.
  • Asynchronous online (OA) courses: No set meeting times, must align with UHD’s semester credit policies.

Part-of-Term Sessions & Considerations

Programs must carefully select courses for Mini Sessions due to state regulations.

Holidays like Spring Break and Winter holidays count as instructional weeks, but no assignments should be due during these periods.

Adjuncts teaching in Mini Sessions must adhere to online asynchronous (OA) formats.

Course Scheduling & Instructional Time Requirements

Face-to-Face (F2F) and Online Synchronous (OS) courses require 2,250 minutes of instruction per 3 SCH course.

Hybrid (HYB) courses must include a minimum of 1,125 minutes of face-to-face direct instruction.

Online Asynchronous (OA) courses do not have scheduled direct instruction times.

Course Scheduling Exceptions

If classes are canceled due to weather, illness, or conferences, faculty must find alternative ways to meet instructional requirements.

Any deviations from standard scheduling must be approved by the Provost’s Office.

Summary of Meeting Patterns

Regular Fall/Spring Sessions:

Courses meet twice a week (1 hour 15 minutes each) or once a week (2 hours 45 minutes with a break). Final exams are included in direct instructional time.

Half-Term (8-Week) Sessions:

Courses meet four times per week (1 hour 15 minutes) or twice per week (2 hours 45 minutes).

Summer Sessions:

Regular 8-week session and multiple 5- and 6-week formats. Courses meet more frequently due to the compressed schedule.