Apr 29, 2026  
BHC 2026-2027 ACADEMIC CATALOG 
  
BHC 2026-2027 ACADEMIC CATALOG

Flexible Learning Options



Black Hawk College students may earn a degree entirely through flexible learning options. Students with busy schedules will also find it convenient to enroll in courses offered through Online Learning in order to accelerate their degree completion plans. College credit and continuing education and training courses are offered via the Internet and the Student Support Center provides advising, technical, library, bookstore, and testing services for students taking flexible learning courses.

Minimester Term

Minimester allows students to use the time between the fall and spring semesters to earn college credit and accelerate their program of study. A typical three credit hour Minimester class might meet for four hours each day Monday through Friday except on holidays. Minimester classes are published in the spring schedule and have the same cost structure, financial aid eligibility and transfer equivalency as courses offered in the traditional semester length format.

Instructional Methods

The instructional method is the format in which a course is presented to the student. There are many options for learning at Black Hawk College.

Distance Learning

Courses taught with a distance learning designation are held in the classroom with the instructor at one location and students attending at more than one location using Zoom.

Dual

Courses taught with the dual designation are those where high school students are concurrently enrolled in a credit-bearing course that typically meets at the high school site.

Dual Distance Learning

Courses taught with the dual designation are those where high school students are concurrently enrolled in a credit-bearing course that typically meets at the high school site. Because these courses are also distance learning, the classroom portion is in the classroom with the instructor at one location, and students attending at more than one location using Zoom.

Dual Hybrid

Courses taught with the dual designation are those where high school students are concurrently enrolled in a credit-bearing course that typically meets at the high school site. Because these courses are also hybrid, they will have multiple separate forms of delivery. A portion of the course will be taught in a traditional, face-to-face format with class meetings held on campus, and the other portion(s) may be delivered in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, meeting online or meeting at off-site locations. Courses with laboratory instruction will not have the lab component as hybrid instruction.

Dual Online

Courses taught with the dual designation are those where high school students are concurrently enrolled in a credit-bearing course that is delivered in the online environment using Canvas.

Hybrid

Courses taught as hybrid will have multiple separate forms of delivery. A portion of the course will be taught in a traditional, face-to-face format with class meetings held on campus, and the other portion(s) may be delivered in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, meeting online or meeting at off-site locations.

Independent Study

Courses taught with the independent study designation are those designed to fit the individual academic needs of students. Students work collaboratively with a faculty member to plan and carry out assignments that require more self-direction on the part of the student. Enrollment in an independent study course requires prior approval.

In Person

Courses taught with the in-person designation are those taught in a traditional classroom setting.

Internship

Courses taught with the internship designation include work experience at a college-approved site for a pre-specified amount of work hours. Faculty oversight and interaction is required, and there is no classroom component.

Online Blended

Courses taught as online blended will be delivered in the online environment and may include required or recommended virtual meeting times, using Zoom or the conferencing tool in Canvas. Students may be required to come to campus for proctored exams or other activities. 

Online Completely

Courses taught with the online designation will be delivered in the online environment using Canvas. Students will not be required to meet at a prescheduled time during the semester, nor will they be required to come to campus.

Online Course Exchange (OCE)

Courses taught with the OCE designation are offered through the Online Course Exchange as a part of the Illinois Community Colleges Online (ILCCO) consortium. These courses are taught by numerous community colleges sharing online courses and programs with each other, in order to provide students with additional course opportunities.

Practicum

Courses taught with the practicum designation include instruction in a classroom, with additional off-site hours in a practical work setting.