HIP-designated courses embed one of the nationally recognized “high-impact” or highly transformative learning experiences identified by the American Association of Colleges and Universities. These courses are part of UCF’s regular curriculum and are intentionally designed by faculty or departments to meet the criteria for one of UCF’s four HIP designations: Although the specific criteria differ across the four HIP course designations, all require that course objectives clearly align with the selected designation and that students complete meaningful assignments with clear assessments tied to those objectives.
What is a High-Impact Practices (HIP) designated course?
The HIP Steering Committee is comprised of administrators from several different UCF offices across campus. Questions about course designations and submissions may be sent to the following offices:
HIP Course Designation Administrative Contacts:
General submission requirements:
Timeline and review procedure:
Submissions are accepted until the fourth Friday of fall and spring semesters for designation in the next semester. You may prepare and submit courses at any time.
After the submission window closes, the HIP Course Designation Faculty Review Committee will review all applications. Outcomes fall into two categories:
The HIP Course Designation Faculty Review Committee will evaluate resubmissions. If the resubmitted course is denied, feedback will be provided by the steering committee.
Approved courses are routed to chairs and deans for final approval. Once approved, the course will carry the HIP designation the following semester.
Changes to an approved course If an approved course undergoes significant changes to the syllabus or departmental curriculum changes, send the updated syllabus to the appropriate administrative office (see Contacts above). The HIP Course Steering Committee will determine whether the Faculty Review Committee will re-evaluate the course. Requesting a different HIP designation If a currently designated course is better aligned with a different HIP category, indicate this on the submission for by answering “yes” to the question, “Does this course already have another HIP Designation?” The course must be re-reviewed. Changing from instructor-level to course-level designation HIP designations are two levels: To convert an instructor-level designation to a course-level designation, you must submit a new application and note the requested change in the comment section of the form. Removing a course designation If a course no longer meets the criteria for its HIP designation – or the instructor does not wish to offer the HIP component for one or more semesters – the instructor or department should notify the department scheduler to remove the designation and remove the HIP designation statement from the syllabus. Copy HIP@ucf.edu on the request.
Requesting Changes to HIP Designations:
Yes. Group projects may fulfill HIP assignment requirements as long as the submission clearly explains how each student will engage in — and be assessed on — all activities or skills required by the rubric for the selected designation. No. There is no official cap for HIP-designated courses. However, instructors submitting large-enrollment courses must explain how the course will be supported (for example, with GTAs or other resources) to ensure the HIP experience is implement and that students receive meaningful feedback throughout the semester. Final grades and a portion of the feedback must still come from the instructor. Instructors should also justify the assignment design for larger classes. For instance, how discussions are facilitated or how students are guided to produce a creative or culminating project. Yes. Both mixed-mode (M) and fully online (W) classes are eligible and have previously been approved for HIP designations. Yes, with one exception. The Research-Intensive designation applies only to undergraduate courses. All other HIP designations are available to both undergraduate and graduate courses. The course must either have a course-level designation or both instructors must have instructor-level designations in order for the course to count as HIP-designated. Yes, HIP-designated courses may include graduate and undergraduate TAs. However, final grades and a portion of the substantive feedback must come from the instructor who is the content expert. Only faculty with a permanent appointment at UCF may submit courses for HIP designation. Research-Intensive HIP courses must be taught by content experts with a terminal degree and/or a permanent appointment at UCF. The other three HIP designations may be taught by visiting faculty or others only at the discretion of the department chair. Sometimes. Independent undergraduate research course credits (e.g., thesis hours or 4912) are not eligible for a designation because are generated individually and fall outside the traditional curriculum. In rare instances, study abroad and internships may receive a HIP course designation, though study abroad is not eligible for the Global Learning designation. For guidance on specific cases, email HIP@ucf.edu. Yes. HIP designations are re-reviewed every five years through a brief update process. This review allows the HIP Steering Committee to learn about course changes, improvements, and lessons learned, and to verify that the course continues to meet designation standards. Faculty with designated courses will be contacted by HIP@ucf.edu with instructions when it is time to complete the review.
Frequently Asked Questions
All HIP-designated courses must include the approved HIP syllabus statement for their specific designation. These statements are for use by faculty whose courses have been formally approved by the HIP course designation process. If you have questions about which statement to use or how to adapt it, contact the HIP Steering Committee. The statements below are provided as templates to help faculty write appropriate syllabus language. Simply inserting one does not confer a HIP designation. Each statement should be adapted to fit the course’s content and objectives. Bracketed text in [bold] indicates areas that faculty typically customize. This section of [ABC 1234] is a UCF-sanctioned Service-Learning course. Students will complete a minimum of 15 hours of service over the semester. The service activity will address a documented community need, support course objectives, connect campus learning to the broader community, foster civic engagement, and include structured reflection. Reflection will occur through [class discussions, online forums, field journals, etc.]. Although 15 hours is the minimum required to pass, your service-learning experience is central to the course. Grades related to service-learning will be based on the academic products that result from the experience — not on hours alone. The service-learning component includes direct service and a [paper, presentation, poster, creative product, etc.]. This ensures work is developed for a real-world audience and yields meaningful outcomes. [I will provide suggested partner organizations, and you may propose alternatives.] All projects must be approved. Each project will begin with a signed agreement among the student(s), the agency contact, and the instructor. Students with a valid objection to a proposed project or placement must notify the instructor during the first week or before the drop/add deadline so alternatives may be discussed. Questions about this designation or HIP designations at UCF may be directed to HIP@ucf.edu. This section of [ABC 1234] is a designated HIP-Research-Intensive (RI) course. This designation will be noted on students’ transcripts. Research-Intensive is one of UCF’s four HIP course designations, along with Service-Learning, Integrative Learning and Global Learning. HIP courses are among the most challenging and rewarding at UCF. In this course, students will actively engage in research processes, and a significant portion of students’ final grade will come from project(s) based on original research and creative scholarship. Our research in this [topic/discipline] course will involve [activities] to produce [final deliverable]. This will give students the opportunity to work with real research questions that scholars continue to investigate and will ensure that the time invested in these projects results in meaningful outcomes. I will guide you through each stage. All projects must be approved by [assignment or point where projects approved]. Students with a valid objection to any of the research activities described above must notify me during the first week of class or before the drop/add deadline so we can discuss alternatives. Questions about this designation or HIP designations at UCF may be directed to HIP@ucf.edu. This section of [ABC 1234] is designated as an Integrative-Learning Experience (IE) course. This designation will be noted on students’ transcripts. IE courses provide opportunities to connect the core knowledge and skills of a major to real-world professional and civic contexts. Students work closely with faculty and peers to develop, reflect on, and articulate their goals. While many courses include integrative-learning elements, in order to receive an IE course designation the integrative-learning component must be central – not peripheral – to the course. In this course, the IE component will involve a [multimedia presentation, poster, written reflection paper, creative presentation, etc.]. This ensures that real-world experiences are meaningfully tied to course objectives and that the time invested in the project results in tangible products. Students with a valid objection to a proposed IE project or placement must notify me during the first week of class or before the drop/add deadline so we can discuss alternatives. Questions about this designation or HIP designations at UCF may be directed to HIP@ucf.edu. UCF defines Global Learning (GL) courses as those that engage students in examining interdependent international systems and their impacts on humanity from multiple perspectives. AAC&U defines global learning as: GL courses at UCF prepare students to ethically and collaboratively engage in discussions about global issues, and to consider solutions to the challenges faced by international organizations and the people affected by their work. To meet these goals, GL-designated courses include activities that emphasize: If students have questions about this designation or HIP designations at UCF, please contact HIP@ucf.edu.
Syllabus Statements
“A critical analysis of and an engagement with complex, interdependent global systems and legacies (such as natural, physical, social, cultural, economic, and political) and their implications for people’s lives and the earth’s sustainability. Through global learning, students should
HIP Course Designation Faculty Review Committee: