Cross-Listed Courses

Professor speaks to his class in language lab, CAS
Professor Scott Hartley, wearing protective glasses, talks with students in the lab, CAS

A cross-listed course is the same course catalogued under two or more prefixes (also known as subject codes). Cross-listing of courses can provide faculty an opportunity to collaborate across disciplinary and departmental lines, and it offers students the opportunity to engage in multidisciplinary, cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary learning. Cross-listing may also benefit departments and programs through the sharing of resources and ideas.

Cross-listing should be done more purposefully and sparingly to indicate a true overlap of disciplinary foundations.

General cross-listing guidelines

approved by University Senate

  1. Students may only earn credit for the same course under one prefix. If the course is repeatable for credit, students may only retake the course under the same prefix as the previous attempt. Students may sign up under any prefix of a cross-listed course (except if it is being repeated for credit), but they may be advised according to academic program requirements (where applicable).
  2. Cross-listed courses and proposals must be identical in title, prerequisites, description, credits, grading practice, meeting times and days, and number of times a course may be taken for credit. When possible the cross-listed courses should carry the same course number.
  3. Permanent courses should not be cross-listed with special topics or temporary courses under other prefixes.
  4. Cross-listed courses should only be cross-listed with courses at the same level. For example, MTH 2XX should not be cross-listed with PHY 3XX. The cross-listing of 400/500 courses is an obvious exception.
  5. There is a recommended limit of three or fewer prefixes for cross-listed courses.