Sonoma State University

Choosing Online & Hybrid Programs

One of the many perks of being a faculty or staff member at a college or university is that, to some extent, you can choose which style of course is the best fit for you and your students. As you’re choosing the style of course that works, it’s important to grasp the difference between in-person, online, and hybrid courses so that you choose a format that maximizes both your teaching style and your students’ learning style.

An online course is a course where most or all of the content is delivered online. These kinds of courses typically have no face-to-face meetings. For example, in-person classes encourage a high level of collaboration and in-class participation, while online courses require you to vigilantly keep up with the assignment schedule, and hybrid courses ask a bit of both from students.

A hybrid course is a course that blends online and face-to-face delivery. A substantial proportion of the content in these types of courses is delivered online. These courses also typically use online discussions and have a reduced number of face-to-face meetings.

Here are some general guidelines to follow in choosing your program format:

  • Each Sonoma State department is responsible deciding which course, section, degree or certificate program (including major, minor, option, certificate and subject matter preparation program) will be offered in either an online or hybrid format.

  • Once a department selects either an online or hybrid format, the department is encouraged to develop individual policies that meet the needs of faculty, staff and students.

  • Any modifications a department makes must be go through the University’s Program Proposal Process. If a department’s degree program is at least 50% online format, they shall be required to meet the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) substantive change requirements.

  • No individual, program, or department shall agree in a contract with any private or public entity to deliver courses or programs on behalf of SSU without prior university approval.