Hayward University offers a distinctive learning experience by combining platform-based collaborative learning with advanced information technologies and online resources. This approach encourages students to engage with diverse perspectives in a supportive environment, promoting reflection and deeper understanding. The underlying principle is that learning within a community is more motivating and enriching than studying alone or simply watching online lectures. With guidance from Course Instructors, students can effectively collaborate and learn from one another through this platform-based model.
In these online study communities, students share resources, exchange ideas, discuss weekly topics, submit assignments, and complete final exams. Course Instructors facilitate discussions, provide support, and ensure the curriculum is delivered effectively.
The Office of Institutional Research and Planning continuously evaluates and enhances courses by inviting students to complete anonymous course evaluations at the end of each term. Additional surveys are occasionally conducted to gather further feedback. Insights from these evaluations help improve both student learning outcomes and the overall educational experience.
All learning takes place online, and students are expected to comply fully with the instructions in the course syllabus and to participate actively in required discussion forums by posting responses to questions and comments posted by Course Instructors and other students. Students are encouraged to seek clarification and assistance from other students as well as their Course Instructors to enhance the learning experience in each course.
The University’s student orientation program, OREN 0001 Hayward University Graduate Preview, introduces new graduate students to Hayward University’s to the opportunities, responsibilities, and resources that exist for all students at the University. Graduate students gain an advanced understanding of Hayward University’s academic setting and study process, as well as of its support services, with the goal of making a successful transition to the start of their graduate studies.
Participation in orientation is strongly encouraged, but not required; students who are accepted to the University and/or sign their Introductory Courses Agreement within the three-week period before their first term of study at Hayward University are not guaranteed an opportunity to participate in orientation.
| 2024 – 2025 | Term 1 | Term 2 | Summer Term 3 | Summer Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Registration Opens | Dec 16, 2024 | Mar 04, 2025 | May 12, 2025 | May 12, 2025 | May 13, 2025 | Sep 15, 2025 |
| Course Registration Closes | Jan 06, 2025 | Mar 24, 2025 | May 23, 2025 | May 23, 2025 | May 24, 2025 | Sep 26, 2025 |
| Last Registration Opens | Jan 13, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | May 27, 2025 | May 27, 2025 | Aug 04, 2025 | Oct 09, 2025 |
| Late Registration Closes | Jan 19, 2025 | Apr 06, 2025 | Jun 06, 2025 | Jul 03, 2025 | Aug 08, 2025 | Oct 14, 2025 |
| First Day of Term | Jan 20, 2025 | Apr 07, 2025 | Jun 09, 2025 | Jul 07, 2025 | Aug 11, 2025 | Oct 15, 2025 |
| Last Day to Drop Course | Jan 25, 2025 | Apr 12, 2025 | Jun 13, 2025 | Jul 14, 2025 | Aug 29, 2025 | Oct 24, 2025 |
| Last Day to Withdraw | Feb 03, 2025 | Apr 21, 2025 | Jun 16, 2025 | Jul 16, 2025 | Sep 05, 2025 | Nov 07, 2025 |
| Final Exams Start | Mar 10, 2025 | May 15, 2025 | Jun 23, 2025 | Jul 24, 2025 | Oct 01, 2025 | Dec 08, 2025 |
| Final Exams Ends | Mar 14, 2025 | May 23, 2025 | Jun 27, 2025 | Jul 29, 2025 | Oct 08, 2025 | Dec 12, 2025 |
| Grades Published | Mar 19, 2025 | Jun 28, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Jul 31, 2025 | Oct 10, 2025 | Dec 16, 2025 |
Courses take place over a nine-week term. Each term has eight weekly learning units and a four-day period for submission of end of term final projects. Students are advised to check their course syllabus and the Hayward University Academic Calendar for important deadlines at the end of the term.
The University terms are divided into Learning Weeks and all work for a particular unit must be completed within that Learning Week. Students decide for themselves when to complete their work during the seven-day period of a given Learning Week. There are no specific times when a student must be logged on to study, nor are students obligated to attend a course session at any specific time during the study week.
The Learning Week starts at midnight between Wednesday and Thursday [more precisely, on Thursday at 12:05 am Hayward University Time (GMT-5 time zone)] and ends on the following Wednesday at 11:55pm Hayward University Time (GMT-5 time zone). The weekly study units are made available one week at a time at the start of the new Learning Week and students always have access to the completed units. Note that all reference to time in the study process and schedule is according to Hayward University Time (GMT-5 time zone).
Graduate students begin by reviewing the Learning Guide which lists the requirements for the Learning Week. All texts, readings, cases and other supplemental materials are provided within the course itself with emphasis placed on teamwork and project-centered learning. Courses are taught in small class sections that foster a close sense of community; students work in teams to complete projects, write papers, analyze and document case studies, and prepare class presentations.
Successful course completion depends on following the instructions and guidelines provided in each course syllabus. At the start of each term, students should read the syllabi and learning guides very carefully to fully understand the components and requirements of each of the courses in which they are enrolled. Course requirements include weekly readings, participation, platform-based assessment tasks, discussion forum responses, written assignments, portfolio and online platform, cases studies and final projects, and quizzes.
The Learning Guide shapes the learning experience for the entire week by providing a framework for directing students through the study material and tasks, including instructions on how to approach the weekly tasks.
Research has shown that student participation is directly related to course success. In order to ensure a rich learning experience, students must take an active approach to their studies by being present and involved.
Attendance is measured and recorded from posted responses to weekly Discussion Forum questions, participation in the platform based assessment process; and submission of weekly assignments, case studies and final projects.
Students discuss course material and raise issues and questions related to a course in the Course Forum. The Course Forum is regularly monitored by Course Instructors. Participation is not required, but highly recommended.
Hayward University courses use Open Educational Resources (OER) and other materials specifically donated to the University with permission for free educational use. Therefore, students are not required to purchase any textbooks or sign up for any websites that have a cost associated with them. All required textbooks can be readily accessed inside each course, although there may be additional required/recommended readings, supplemental materials, or other resources and websites which students can also access at no cost.
Platform based learning, a hallmark of the Hayward University program, is central to the learning process at Hayward University. In critiquing the work of platform based, students consolidate their own knowledge and skills even as they are contributing to the growth and learning experience of others. Students whose work is being discussed have the benefit of input from multiple sources, which extends their understanding of the concepts. It also fosters deeper learning on the part of the students doing the assessing because they must first consolidate their own level of knowledge and skill before they can do an assessment. Assessing the work of others also helps to develop higher order thinking, communication, and evaluation skills.
Students are taught about the evaluation process and, as they progress through their studies, learn how to assess the work of their fellow students with increasing insight and precision. During the Learning Week following the submission of an assignment, students are given anonymous assignments from other students in the classroom for platform based assessment. A student’s final grade is determined both by the work that he or she submits and by the quality of his or her platform based assessments.
Giving unjustifiably poor or exaggeratedly positive reviews of the work of others brings down astudent’s grade as it is a sign that the student has not learned to evaluate the material properly according to the criteria. Students must therefore correctly apply the assessment elements set forth in the rubrics established for a given assignment.
Platform based assessment is under the supervision of Course Instructors who monitor platform based reviews for anomalies. Because the student’s assignment is assessed three times, Course Instructors identify discrepancies in grading when monitoring the scores of the assessments and may adjust the scoring, as appropriate, or override and re-grade a student’s work where necessary.
Most units require students to complete a Discussion Assignment by posting a well-formed response to the Discussion Assignment in the Discussion Forum. Students must participate in the discussion by responding to at least three of their platform based postings in the Discussion Forum by rating their submissionsand providing substantive written feedback.
Discussion Forums are only active for each current and relevant learning week, so it is not possible to contribute to the forum once the learning week has come to an end. Failure to participate in the Discussion Assignment and/or participate in the Discussion Forum may result in failure of the course.
Most units require students to complete a written assignment. Assignments can vary in type including but not limited to short papers, research-based papers, and case studies. Students first submit their assignments by the required deadline and then assess three classmates’ assignments according to provided instructions in the Learning Guide. Students are expected to provide details in the feedback section of the corresponding assignment’s Platform based Assessment form with an explanation for the rationale of the grade awarded. Failure to submit assignments and/or platform based-assessments may result in failure of the course.
Portfolio Activities are tools for self-reflection and evaluation within the context of the course. Designed as a way for students to document and reflect upon their learning process and critical thinking skills, Portfolio Activities encourage students to draw upon their life experiences and what they’ve learned in other courses to showcase their overall growth in developing and sharpening their professional goals.Portfolio Activities are used as part of the Capstone experience.
Courses may contain two types of quizzes – the Self-Quiz, and the Graded Quiz. These quizzes may contain multiple choice, true/false, or short answer questions. It is highly recommended that students complete all quizzes to ensure that they have adequately understood the course material.
Late work is not permitted at Hayward University unless there is an exceptional personal circumstance/illness (clear, documented proof is required), or a systemic Hayward platform site technical error. Documented proof of an exceptional, extended systemic city/region-wide power outage is required to be considered for late work to be considered. Extensions are not guaranteed for students experiencing random power outages or lapses in computer/Internet access prior to assignment deadlines.Students are strongly encouraged to submit their work as early as possible to avoid such unfortunate circumstances.
Students should be aware that Hayward University does not provide access to courses, including students' own contributions to their courses, beyond the current term. Following the first week after unofficial grades are posted within Hayward platform, access to the previous term’s courses is discontinued.
Students are advised to save all of their work on their computers in case they want to access it at a later date. To request access to a course syllabus for a course they have completed, students may contact the Office of Academic Affairs at academic.affairs@Hayward.university
All Hayward University course readings are available to enrolled Hayward University students in the Hayward platform. The repository may assist students in preparing for a prospective course, or referencing and reviewing course materials after completing a course.
