[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”heading-2″]Hybrid programs offer the best of both worlds: in-person instruction when needed and online coursework where possible.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Hybrid or blended degree programs are academic programs that divide time between online and in-person instruction. According to [hen-ui-link href=”https://educationdata.org/online-education-statistics/”]Educationdata.org[/hen-ui-link], roughly 38% of college faculty reported teaching a hybrid course in 2019, and 67% of faculty received professional development for designing such courses.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Read on to learn how hybrid degree programs incorporate the advantages of both traditional and online programs within one unique package.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Hybrid Degree?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Comparing Hybrid vs. Online Programs[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While they share many similarities, hybrid and online programs have key differences, too. An online program comes in a completely online format with no in-person requirements, such as on-campus labs or residencies. In online programs, students log into the learning management system at their school to access course materials, participate in online discussions, and complete exams.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A hybrid program also uses online learning as its main instructional format, but it requires students to participate in in-person learning, too. This is usually for practical courses, like labs, or for in-person meetings with the instructor. Having these in-person requirements is less convenient, but provides more opportunity to network with peers and instructors.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Kinds of Hybrid Programs Are There?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certifications and degree programs in business, law, and nursing often utilize hybrid learning. In these programs, presentations, labs, and internships are a key part of the education process, and they are usually handled in person. Meanwhile, students can complete other academic requirements — like readings, weekly discussions, and individual assignments — online, [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/synchronous-vs-asynchronous-programs-courses/”]often asynchronously[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Certification Programs That Offer Hybrid Study[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many certification programs use hybrid learning models — especially those pursued by working learners, who don’t have much scheduling flexibility. Common certification programs that offer hybrid study include:[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Degree Programs That Offer Hybrid Study[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many degree programs offer hybrid study, especially in fields where online study cannot replace learning experiences in a clinical environment. The following degree programs generally offer hybrid study options.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is a Typical Schedule in a Hybrid Program?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Hybrid programs typically organize in-person learning components during weekly campus visits or quarterly week-long residencies. In the former, students spend Monday through Thursday studying online and then attend in-person elements over the weekend. In the latter format, students spend 10 weeks learning online and then finish the quarter with a week-long, on-campus residency.[/hen-ui-text]

Sample Schedule 1 – Weekly Campus Visits

Monday – Thursday

[hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Complete reading assignments.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Turn in individual and team-based projects through online learning system.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Watch instructor-prepared lectures and videos.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Contribute to online discussion forum.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Attend weekly online discussion group with classmates.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Attend virtual instructor office hours as needed.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list]

Friday – Saturday

[hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Attend in-person instruction.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Conduct lab work.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Meet with instructor.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list]

Sample Schedule 2 – Quarterly Week-Long Residency

Week 1-10

[hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Complete reading assignments.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Turn in individual and team-based projects through online learning system.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Watch instructor-prepared lectures and videos.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Contribute to online discussion forum.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Attend weekly online discussion group with classmates.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Attend virtual instructor office hours as needed.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list]

Week 11

[hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Complete week-long, on-campus residency.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Attend in-person instruction.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Conduct lab work.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Network with classmates.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Listen to guest speakers.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Meet with instructor.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list]

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Hybrid and Not Fully Online?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many flexible certification or degree programs come in a hybrid rather than fully online format because an online workaround is not possible for some subjects in the curriculum. For instance, many science-based majors, such as biology and organic chemistry, require lab work, which students must complete in order to understand certain course materials.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Other programs follow the hybrid learning format simply because the in-person element of the experience aligns better with their learning philosophies. Getting the opportunity to meet with your instructor or peers in person can make the learning experience less isolating and lead to networking opportunities.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How Do I Find a Hybrid Program Near Me?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Research nearby colleges and universities and look at the online learning landing page for schools that interest you. Schools usually separate hybrid programs from fully online programs on the online learning landing page. You can also search the school’s online catalog for hybrid programs.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Are Hybrid Classes Hard?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Hybrid classes are challenging for some learners because they require self-discipline and have less in-person interaction than a traditional program. However, in-person meetings also give students the opportunity to ask peers and instructors for help, so students may find them easier than purely online courses.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What Is a Hybrid Classroom Like?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Hybrid courses usually have smaller class sizes than online courses in order to make the in-person learning component more manageable. A hybrid classroom typically gives students opportunities to work on projects, review material with their peers, and communicate with instructors about issues with course materials.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Are Hybrid Courses Accredited?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Hybrid courses from regionally accredited colleges and universities hold the same level of academic rigor and prestige as traditional courses from regionally accredited schools.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What Do You Do in a Hybrid Program?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The typical hybrid degree program schedule includes asynchronous learning for the bulk of the week, followed by recap and review during synchronous, in-person classroom time. Many hybrid programs also use in-person components for course elements like lab work.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Does the Hybrid Model of Learning Work?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The hybrid model of learning typically works best for working learners who want the benefits of a traditional degree program but cannot manage consistent in-person class meetings during the week. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, [hen-ui-link href=”https://monitor.icef.com/2020/08/survey-most-us-colleges-will-adopt-a-hybrid-learning-model-for-fall-2020/”]92% of higher education institutions[/hen-ui-link] moved to hybrid education models in autumn of 2020.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-xs”]Header Image Credit: Maskot | Getty Images[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Learn more, do more.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h5″]More topic-relevant resources to expand your knowledge.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”1172,1164,540″][/hen-ui-article-row] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]