Principles of Course Numbering
- Course numbers provide a guide to the key learning outcomes for courses. Each course listed in the Course Descriptions section of the catalog has a number, given before the name of the course.
- Course numbers shall be comprised of a uniform prefix indicating a discipline plus four digits or four digits and one letter. For example: MATH 1050 College Algebra. 4 credit(s). This indicates that the course, College Algebra, is Mathematics 1050.
- Following the title of each course, the number of credits given for the course is indicated. In some classes, the amount of credit for which students register can be individually arranged. One student may take 2 credits, another student 3 credits, etc. Students are responsible to ensure they are registered for the desired number of credits. Online registration will always default to the lowest offered number of credits. Academic credit is identified following the course title: (e.g., 1-3).
- In most cases, increasing course numbers indicate more challenging content and higher-order learning outcomes.
- Course numbering indicates the sequence in which courses should be completed. Pre-requisite courses should have lower first digits, e.g., 1000- or 2000-level digits than subsequent courses.
- Lower-division courses are typically taken at the beginning of a program of study to provide a foundation of understanding. If there is a prerequisite or registration restriction for a particular course, it will be stated in the course description.
- Upper-division courses provide a more in-depth and specific understanding of content. Prerequisites and/or registration restrictions for a particular course will be stated in the course description.
- Graduate students may take any course for which they have met the course requirements, but only graduate courses and individually approved undergraduate courses may be used for a graduate degree.
- Note: In some cases, additional instructors, departments, or program approvals may be required (which may not be included in the course description). For more information, students should consult their advisor or the department offering the course.
Course Numbering by Levels
- 0010-0999 Remedial, Precollege or Developmental Courses: These courses carry no credit applicable to a postsecondary certificate or degree, develop basic precollege concepts and principles related to an area of study, and are designed to lead to mastery of precollege learning outcomes.
- 1000-2999 Lower Division Courses: These courses are for students beginning in the study of a discipline. Lower division courses offer breadth, foundation, general education, preparation for employment, or preparation for continued study and may serve as prerequisites for upper division courses. Within the same institution, a lower division course may not be cross listed with an upper division course.
- Special Lower Division Course Number Designations (1900-1999 and 2900-2999): Lower division special course designations, e.g., directed reading, individual projects, seminars, special topics, workshops, and tutoring.
- 3000-4999 Upper Division Courses: These courses are for students usually beyond their first two years of study in college and integrate and build upon learning outcomes from earlier studies. In general, upper division courses offer specialized learning outcomes for a specific degree and provide depth, specialization, refinement, and preparation for employment or graduate study. Upper division courses are directed toward the more central concepts of a discipline. Most 4000-level courses are more concentrated, narrower in scope, and involve more independent study, research, and projects outside of class than 3000-level courses. 4000-level courses may also be designed as capstone courses that integrate a broad array of learning outcomes from previous courses.
- Special Upper Division Course Number Designations (4800-4999): Upper division special course designations, e.g., directed reading, individual projects, festivals, institutes, workshops, and seminars.
4800: Individual research courses (1-6 credits)
4830: Directed reading courses (1-6 credits)
4860: Practicum courses (1-12 credits)
4890: Internship courses (1-12 credits)
4920: Workshops, festivals, and institutes (1-6 credits)
4950: Field trips (1-6 credits)
4990: Seminars (1-6 credits)
- 5000-5999 Advanced Upper Division Courses: These courses allow for extension beyond bachelor’s degree requirements, preparation for a graduate degree, or a natural connection between the two. Content requires significant independent thinking on the student’s part and offers opportunity for specialized seminars, directed reading, independent study, and research.
- Special 5000-Level Course Number Designations (5800-5999): Advanced upper division special course designations, e.g., directed reading, individual projects, festivals, institutes, workshops, and seminars.
- 6000-7999 Graduate Courses: These courses are limited to graduate students and graduate degrees and certificates. Graduate courses may only be offered at USHE institutions with a Board-approved mission to offer graduate-level programs.
- Special Graduate Course Number Designations: The following designation of graduate course numbers guide, but do not constrain, institutional course numbering policies.
6800-6899: Graduate seminars, including methodology and research seminars;
6900-6999: Directed reading, individual projects, thesis, etc.;
6970-6979: Master’s thesis research;
6980-6989: Master’s thesis faculty research consultation;
6990: Master’s thesis continuing registration;
7600-7899: Advanced graduate seminars;
7900-7969: Doctoral independent study, special topics, etc.;
7970-7979: Doctoral dissertation and project research;
7980-7989: Doctoral dissertation faculty research consultation; and
7990: Doctoral dissertation continuing registration.
Conditions for 5000-Level Course Designations
- Credit from 5000 level coursework may be used for graduate certificates and to fulfill up to 12 credits of graduate degree requirements.
- For purposes of efficiency, an institution may offer a 5000-level course concurrently with a 6000-level graduate course, with the two sections meeting together under the same instructor. In such cases, students enrolled in the 6000-level course shall be required to complete additional and substantive learning objectives and assignments approved for graduate-level work beyond those required of students enrolled at the 5000 level.
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