Criteria for UR-Designation

The UR-designation identifies courses that incorporate Undergraduate Research, Scholarly Inquiry, and/or Creative Activity by providing an active, inquiry-based learning environment and by emphasizing the language and processes of research/creative activity in the classroom. The purpose of a UR-designation is to promote a culture in which students are encouraged to explore, enter, and advance current dialogues in academic disciplines.

For a UR-designation, assignments, projects, and/or classroom activities that incorporate Undergraduate Research principles must amount to a minimum of 20% of the course work and account for 20% of the final grade. Upon completion of the UR-designated course a student will receive a UR-notation next to that course title on their transcript. 

Ultimately, the UR-designation indicates that the course stresses the foundations, processes, and/or language of research/creative activity to prepare students to better understand, evaluate, and advance concepts/processes pertaining to a particular field.

Any MCC faculty member may apply for UR-Designation. There are two options: Faculty may apply for a Voluntary designation, which means only the section(s) of the course taught by the applicant will carry the designation. Or, they may apply for a Blanket designation, which means the applicant’s department has decided that all faculty teaching the course must abide by the designation. Please see the following UR-Designation Process and Application guidelines, and email Maria Brandt (mbrandt@monroecc.edu) with any questions and/or for additional guidance.

Download the UR-Designation Process and Application