Students weigh impact of CPP’s seven course modes
By Annika Salant, September 16, 2025
Cal Poly Pomona offers seven course modes, including: face-to-face, fully synchronous, fully asynchronous, bisynchronous, hybrid synchronous, hybrid asynchronous and hyflex courses, to create a more equitable learning environment for students from diverse backgrounds.
Face-to-face courses are taught in-person. Asynchronous courses are taught fully online with no designated meeting times, and hybrid courses have online course work with required meetings via Zoom or in-person. Each of these instruction modes are designed to accommodate student needs and are discussed at length on the CPP website.
According to the CPP 2024-2025 Common Data Set, 83% of all undergraduate students commute to campus rather than live in on-campus housing. With the majority of CPP students traveling daily to receive an education, students’ desire for online instruction has only grown.
“I would prefer the option to have an online class,” said chemical engineering student Sarah Salas. “That way I have more days free in my schedule. Also, that way I don’t have to drive back-and-forth because gas is pretty expensive nowadays”
In the same Common Data Set, CPP estimates the average undergraduate commuter will be paying just under $3,000 in transportation to and from class per academic year. By offering more online and hybrid options, CPP may be able to relieve some of the financial stress that is common among commuters.
According to Rachel Sanchez, a biological sciences lecturer at CPP, the impact goes beyond financials. Historically, General Education courses, which are required for graduation, fill up due to limited class sizes. Asynchronous courses are changing that.
“If a population of students can’t take courses because all the in-person courses are filled up, maxed out and they’re not adding classes,” Sanchez said, “How unfair is that? I think that it’s absolutely necessary to offer different modes.”
According to CPP’s Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence, faculty employ a backward course design to aid in student success, meaning the end goal of the students is the first consideration when choosing the course format rather than course content.
According to CAFE’s website, the goal is to ensure students can choose courses that not only work for their schedule but also their learning style.
Samantha Gutierrez, a biology student at CPP, shared some advice for students who are curious about the various course modes.
“If you tend to procrastinate, then maybe take in-person or hybrid lectures compared to asynchronous ones,” Gutierrez said. “But the professors I have for asynchronous, they’re pretty on top of it. They want to make sure that we’re doing the work and feel supported. So, I feel I’m getting a good education either way.”
The various instruction modes available at CPP are supported not just by the students but faculty as well. According to Sanchez, only offering in-person courses will not be enough to support all CPP students.
Feature graphic courtesy of Connor Lālea Hampton
