Marshall University offers the flexibility you need, whether you prefer to learn on campus, online — or both! We are in the process of updating some of our course modality terms and attributes. The new course modalities are reflected in the spring 2025 course schedule. To learn about this update and the differences between each of the course modalities, see the video and table below.
Modalities at a Glance, beginning Spring 2025
Download a printable version of the infographic.
Modalities in Detail, beginning Spring 2025
In-Person: Meets in-person, on-location.
These courses meet at the location and on the days and times noted in the course schedule. Locations can include the Huntington campus, South Charleston campus, or off-campus spaces. They may require some coursework on Blackboard, so students should have access to a computer and internet.
Synchronous Online (SO): Meets online at the designated times.
These courses take place fully online. Members of the class engage in the course at the same time, as designated by the class meeting days/times in the course schedule. Students need consistent access to a computer and internet to complete learning activities on Blackboard and on Teams (or other video conferencing tool). To participate in synchronous online class meetings, students also need access to a webcam.
Asynchronous Online (AO): No class meetings, asynchronous work.
These courses take place fully online. Members of the class engage in the course at different times, and students have a window of time in which to complete coursework, including exams. Students need consistent access to a computer and internet.
Synchronous Choice (SC): Students choose to meet online or in-person/on-location at the designated meeting times.
These courses are delivered by the instructor synchronously, both in-person and online. All members of the class meet at the same time. Students have the choice to attend class in-person (at the location designated in the course schedule) or online (via Teams or other video conferencing tool). Students need consistent access to a computer and internet to complete learning activities on Blackboard. If they choose to attend class online, they also need access to a webcam.
Blended (BL): A blend of online and in-person/on-location requirements determined by the instructor.
In these courses, instructors determine when the class meets in-person and when the class engages online (synchronously or asynchronously). The course schedule notes the location and the days/times the class will meet in-person when it does (ex. 138 Drinko Library, MW 2-3:30). The instructor will communicate more specific in-person and online attendance information in the course syllabus. Students need to have the ability to meet in-person/on-location as required by the instructor and consistent access to a computer and internet for online work on Blackboard. They may also need a webcam if synchronous online meetings are required.
HyFlex (FLEX): Flexible attendance options. Students can meet in-person, synchronous online, or asynchronous online for every class.
These courses are delivered by the instructor in-person, synchronously online, and asynchronously online. The course schedule notes the location and days/times the instructor will deliver the course. Students can choose to come to class in-person (at the location designated in course schedule), join class synchronously online (via Teams or other video conferencing tool), or work asynchronously online for every class. Students need consistent access to a computer and internet to complete learning activities on Blackboard. If they choose to attend class synchronously online, they may need a webcam.
Other Resources
Find your courses on Blackboard.
For information about fees related to distance courses, see Online Program Tuition and Fees.
For distance modality policies, FAQs, and resources for Marshall faculty and staff, see Distance Course Modalities.