Spring 2021 Prep Weeks

Your pathway towards graduation is waiting! Staying on track is as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Advisement: Make a virtual appointment with your faculty advisor through the Kean Student Experience. Watch this brief video if you need assistance in navigating the platform. When you meet with your academic advisor, it is helpful to have the following on hand:
   • Your Program Evaluation - can be accessed through KeanWISE
   • A list of 5 courses in your degree program that you want to enroll in for Spring 2021
   • 1-2 additional "safety" courses in case one of your preferred courses is already filled
2. Registration: After meeting with your advisor, register for Spring 2021 classes via KeanWISE. This video offers step-by-step instructions for course registration in KeanWISE.
3. Financial Aid: If there have been changes to your financial situation due to COVID-19, schedule a virtual meeting with your financial aid counselor who can provide you with information to update your FAFSA.

If you have a hold that is preventing you from registering for classes, please access KeanWISE and click on the “Student Restrictions” link under the “Academic Profile” menu, to identify the type of hold on your account. Once identified, please contact the following offices to resolve them:

*Before you meet with an academic advisor, it is helpful to have the following on hand:

• Your Program Evaluation - which can be accessed through KeanWISE. 

• A list of 5 courses that you want to enroll in for the Spring 2021 term.

• 1-2 additional "safety" courses in the event that one of your preferred courses is already filled.

Once all holds are resolved, you are ready to register for classes. This video offers step-by-step instructions for course registration via KeanWISE.

If you have any questions about your student record or registration, click here to join the online queue and connect with a One Stop Service representative today.

Due to the continuing impact of COVID-19, courses that would normally be offered in-person have been converted to one of three categories of instructional methods: Face-to-Face (F2F), Hybrid, or Remote (100% Remote). Online (Kean Online) courses continue as usual without change because they were originally designed to be 100% virtual.

The amount of class time spent in the virtual Blackboard classroom and the kind of activities that occur in the virtual classroom depends upon the instructional method of the course and the instructor.  

• Face-to-Face (F2F): These courses will initially meet remotely, then resume regular in-person instruction as soon as possible. That date is currently scheduled to be February 16. Instructors provide information on when, where and at what frequency classes will meet on campus.
• Hybrid: These courses will initially meet remotely, then starting February 16th the classes will alternate between in-person and remote sessions. The number of overall class meetings will be the same, but with some in-person course meetings and some remote course meetings. Blackboard is used to supplement the in-person instruction and coordinate remote instruction. Students are expected to access course content during regularly scheduled class days and times either in person or remotely during the scheduled time.  Instructors provide information on when, where and at what frequency classes will meet.
• Remote (100% Remote): These courses are provided 100 percent remotely through Blackboard. No in-person class meetings are scheduled. For optimal learning, students participate in a virtual class setting in real time during the regularly-scheduled meeting time (synchronous learning) and may engage in independent learning at times of their choosing via Blackboard (asynchronous learning).  Course instructors choose the proportion of synchronous and asynchronous requirements within the course, and communicate with students about these expectations.  Students access course content via Blackboard.
• Online (Kean Online): Kean Online courses were created several years ago for specific academic programs in the School of Online Education which provides distance learning opportunities for non-traditional students; Kean Online students completed all coursework online prior to COVID-19.  They utilize Blackboard exclusively and do not have specific meeting days and times. Kean Online courses follow established and predictable weekly patterns which includes standardization of experiences and consistency in requirements.  Courses are constructed to allow maximum flexibility for students to be able to complete class activities across a number of days and at times of their choosing. Most Kean Online courses are offered over an eight-week schedule (there are exceptions). Kean Online courses are reserved primarily for Kean Online students but are open for all students to register (if space is available) one week before the semester starts.

Below is a side-by-side comparison between two typical three-credit courses that can be found on a Spring 2021 schedule. The table below captures the most important differences between Kean Online courses and Remote courses.