UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State will implement one new instructional mode and update four others for the fall 2026 semester. The decision on instructional modes is driven by what best serves students and learning outcomes for courses and programs, and instructional modes should communicate to students what to expect.
“This change will offer students greater transparency regarding the amount of remote learning incorporated into the in-person instruction mode and give them the information they need to make an informed decision about course selection,” said Kathy Bieschke, senior vice provost and interim dean of Undergraduate Education.
The new and revised instructional mode changes will be reflected in LionPATH when the fall 2026 schedule of courses becomes available Feb. 2. Instructors and students will then see new course modes in the registration and scheduling process during spring 2026.
The new instructional mode will be labeled "H1." It applies to courses that are predominately taught in-person and up to 24% of the instruction is conducted remotely, either synchronously or asynchronously.
Consequently, the definition of in-person courses will be revised. These courses will now be permitted to include up to 7% remote delivery, which is equivalent to approximately one week of classes during a standard semester. Any asynchronous instruction resulting from recommended practices for election days will not count toward this remote instruction maximum.
Although the definition will remain unchanged, Penn State will clarify that H7 — a hybrid format with 75%-99% remote instruction — is classified as remote instruction. Some student groups, such as international students, face restrictions on the number of remote courses they can take in a semester.
The University also assumes responsibility for providing student services to remote learners that are equivalent to those offered to residential students, and this standard is usually fulfilled by Penn State World Campus. Students whose schedules consist solely of courses with H7 or fully remote instructional modes, and who are not World Campus students, need to be supported appropriately.
The updated remote synchronous (RS) mode will allow instructors to offer up to 7% of the course remote asynchronously. Previously, 25% could be offered asynchronously. For video-receiving (VR) mode, which is only used by the Digital Learning Cooperative, 7% may be taught asynchronously, down from 25%.
Instructional modes are determined by the University in consultation with faculty to satisfy pedagogical aims for courses and programs. Faculty and academic administrators should carefully review if a course’s mode should be adjusted.
Penn State’s most recent update to course modes was in fall 2023. A full list of existing course modes is available on the Registrar website.