Course Information

Enrollment Period Definition

Colorado Technical University follows the 11-week quarter system. Each quarter consists of two sessions of 5-1/2 weeks each. In each 11-week quarter, sessions are identified as Session A and Session B. If a student begins his or her degree program at the beginning of a Session A, he or she will have their academic quarter identified as that found on the Academic Calendar. Students who begin their degree program at the beginning of Session B will have their 11-week academic quarter defined as the 5-1/2 weeks of Session B and the subsequent 5-1/2 weeks of Session A. To illustrate this, a Session A student's quarter is defined below, followed by a Session B student's quarter:

Academic Year

The University defines the academic year as a period of time in which a full-time student is expected to complete three terms (quarters) of instructional time. A full-time undergraduate student is expected to complete at least 36 credits within the academic year and a full-time graduate student is expected to complete at least 24 credits within the academic year. Colorado Technical University’s academic calendar operates on the quarter system with each quarter consisting of 11 weeks. The associate degree length is equivalent to a two year program and the bachelor length is equivalent to a four year program. A detailed academic calendar is included as an addendum to this catalog.

Course Numbering System

Undergraduate preparatory courses are numbered 0 – 99 and do not count toward graduation.

Undergraduate credit courses are numbered 100 – 499.

Master’s foundation courses are numbered 500 – 599.

Master’s credit courses are numbered 600 – 699.

Doctorate credit courses are numbered 700 – 899.

Grade Level Classification

Course Load

The normal academic load for a full-time student varies by academic level:

Doctorate: 7 or more quarter credit hours per quarter is full – time, 2 to 6 quarter credit hours per quarter is half-time

Master’s: 4 quarter credit hours per session, 8 or more quarter credit hours per quarter

Undergraduate: 12 or more quarter credit hours per quarter

For students enrolled in degree programs through CTU’s Virtual Campus, no more than one course in master’s degree programs or two courses in undergraduate degree programs may be taken in any session as this constitutes a course overload.  For students enrolled in degree programs through CTU’s physical campuses, no more than three courses in master’s degree programs or four courses in undergraduate degree programs may be taken in any quarter, as this constitutes a course overload.  Exceptions to this may be made on a case- by-case basis by an appropriate academic official.

Definition of a Credit Hour

CTU awards quarter credit hours to reflect the successful completion of pre-determined course learning objectives and requirements. A quarter credit hour represents an institutionally established equivalency of work or learning corresponding to intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement. CTU has established equivalencies that reasonably approximate expected learning outcomes resulting from the following time commitments:

1. One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately 11 weeks, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; for example, 5.5 week classes require approximately twice the work on a weekly basis.
2. At least an equivalent amount of work required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

Course Delivery Methods

At Colorado Technical University students who are enrolled through a ground campus may have the option of taking courses in three modalities, or delivery methods. The options available are: face-to-face, blended and fully online, and are further defined below. Please note that not all courses will be available in all delivery methods each session. Check with your student or academic advisor regarding course availability.

1. Face-to-Face: A course taught in the face-to-face delivery method meets 100% in the classroom. Students in a face-to-face course will be required to attend classes at a specified time at the campus where the course is being taught. All attendance is recorded by the instructor, and assignments are turned in directly to the instructor, as well. This is the traditional, classroom-based course modality.
2. Blended: Blended courses combine the face-to-face and online delivery methods. Students in a blended course will be required to attend classes at a specified time at the campus where the course is being taught. Students will also be required to participate in the course via CTU’s student portal and online classroom by interacting with other students and the instructor via Discussion Boards. It may also be required that students submit individual assignments through the online classroom.
3. Fully Online: A fully online course is delivered 100% online via CTU’s Virtual Campus. Students in a fully online course should expect to interact with their classmates and instructor virtually through Discussion Boards, Live Chats and email. A fully online course never meets face-to-face.

Virtual Campus and Fully Online Courses:

All students who are enrolled through one of CTU’s ground campuses should expect to take a portion of their classes through the Virtual Campus. Virtual Campus resources and tools are offered, including an online Virtual Campus open house/orientation, and support contacts throughout the university.

Students wishing to take a CTU fully online course should be aware:

• Attendance in a fully online course is automatically recorded and tracked by the Virtual Campus system. A student’s attendance will only be recorded and updated when that student completes one of the following activities:
• Creating a new Discussion Board or replying to an already created Discussion Board within their classroom.
• Submitting an individual project/assignment.
• Completing and submitting a Knowledge Check. Not all courses use Knowledge Checks and students should not rely on completing these to update their attendance.
• Students in a fully online course are held to the standards and policies that govern fully online courses.
• All assignments in a fully online course must be submitted via the Virtual Classroom.
• Most fully online courses are 5.5 weeks in duration.
• Not all fully online courses are available in all sessions.

Quarter Semester Conversion

CTU operates on a quarter schedule. One semester hour is converted as 1.5 quarter credit hours.