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Courses are delivered through various modes at Polk State College to maximize options and flexibility.
- The traditional face-to-face classroom setting is offered at all campuses and centers.
- Pure Internet has no face-to-face component. Instruction is delivered with the same quality as traditional education. The student uses an Internet-connected computer and the College’s online learning management system, Canvas. Some pure Internet classes may require proctored examinations. This may require visiting a testing center and may involve additional costs to the student. The class schedule identifies the delivery method. Each student is advised to log into the Canvas class site prior to the first day and read the syllabus carefully to determine proctoring and testing requirements. Information regarding online opportunities is available at online@PolkState.
- Hybrid classes are a blend of Internet and face-to-face course delivery. In a hybrid course, the student attends class at a location for some of the allotted class time and then participates in the course using the Internet as well.
- Competency-based education is a modularized delivery method that offers the student an open start date and a set number of weeks to complete the required modules. The Engineering Technology Program and some Mathematics course options are delivered in this modularized method.
Note: a student must meet the minimum technology requirements to participate in an Internet or Hybrid course. Polk State College’s Distance Learning website explains the requirements and provides further details, including a description of the learning management system interface.
Maximum and Minimum Course Load Limits
During Terms 1, 2, and 3 (i.e., fall, spring, and summer), the minimum course load per term for full-time students is 12 semester hours. Enrollment in fewer than 12 credits is considered a part-time load. The average academic load taken by a student during Term 1 or Term 2 is 15 semester hours to complete college according to schedule.
The maximum course load during the fall (Term 1) and spring (Term 2) is 20 semester hours, and 15 semester hours for the summer (Term 3); however, the maximum number of credit hours for a given term cannot be taken in one accelerated session (e.g., a Fastrack session). A student who is maintaining a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher and who has completed at least 15 semester credits may exceed the credit maximum with the approval of the Campus Dean of Student Services. An individual wishing to appeal this regulation is required to do so prior to the first regular registration day.
Certain situations may further limit the maximum course load, such as the student’s status regarding dual-enrollment or Standards of Academic Progress.
A student who plans to work while attending school or who has caretaking obligations is encouraged to plan a lighter schedule that provides for these factors and to register for classes early in the registration period to maximize scheduling options.
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