How to Create a Combined Section Class (Cross-List)

Combined sections are used to schedule two or more different course offerings. The courses are identical but offered by different departments.

Both courses should be created and exist in Maintain Schedule of Classes

LionPATH Navigation:

  1. Curriculum Management
  2. Combined Sections
  3. Combined Sections Table

one Step 1

To create a combined section you must first create a combined section ID. This is done in the Combined Section Table.

Screenshot of the Combined Sections Table screen in LionPATH.

two Step 2

Enter the term and click the "Search" button. Next, choose the Session.

Screenshot of the Term field on the Combined Sections Table screen in LionPATH.

three Step 3

You will see a list of combined section courses already listed.

Screenshot of a list of combined section courses on the Combined Sections Table screen in LionPATH.

Click the plus sign to add a blank row and assign you a Combined Sections ID.

Screenshot of a blank row added to the list of combined section courses on the Combined Sections Table screen in LionPATH.

four Step 4

Type your combined sections information in the text fields -- Make sure you add your campus so that you can easily identify your section. When finished, click Save.

Screenshot of information being added to a new row in the list of combined section courses on the Combined Sections Table screen in LionPATH.

five Step 5

You will see that a View Combined Sections link now appeared next to your listing. Click on the link.

Screenshot of the View Combined Sections link on the Combined Sections Table screen in LionPATH.

six Step 6

Type the Class ID of your first course then click the plus sign to add a row to add the Class ID of your second course. This will pull the course information and enrollment capacity numbers from Maintain Schedule of Classes.

Screenshot of combined sections being added on the Combined Sections Table screen in LionPATH.

The Enrollment Capacity should total both classes' enrollment capacity.

Screenshot of the enrollment capacity fields on the Combined Sections Table screen in LionPATH.

The Permanent Combinations checkbox should be checked if the combination is permanent and will roll from semester to semester.

The Skip Mtg Pattern & Instr Edit box should be unchecked. This allows both classes to share instructor, meetings pattern, and room information.

Screenshot of the permanent combination checkbox on the Combined Sections Table screen in LionPATH.

Updating Enrollment Numbers

When changing your enrollment totals, whether you are increasing or decreasing your enrollment numbers, you need to update this information in Maintain Schedule of Classes under your Enrollment Control tab:

Screenshot of the Enrollment Control tab on the Maintain Schedule of Classes screen in LionPATH.

Also you will need to update the enrollment numbers on the combined sections table:

Screenshot of the enrollment numbers fields on the Combined Sections Table screen in LionPATH.

Keep in mind that your enrollment numbers need to match or it will cause issues with enrollment.

Updating Meeting Tab

The Meeting tab information for combined will be grayed out which will prevent any direct updating within Maintain Schedule of Classes.

Screenshot of the Meetings tab on the Maintain Schedule of Classes screen in LionPATH.

To update your meeting pattern or instructor information, navigate to Schedule Class Meetings:

LionPATH Navigation:

  1. Curriculum Management
  2. Schedule of Classes
  3. Schedule Class Meetings
Screenshot of the Meetings tab on the Schedule Class Meetings screen in LionPATH.

Requesting Final Exams

When scheduling a final exam for Combined Sections, you need to make sure you are requesting the same type of Final and Exam Seat Spacing for both classes. If the class that is combined with your course isn't your own course, you will need to send an email esmail@psu.edu for them to be grouped together.

See below for how the exam tab should look once the finals are grouped together.

Screenshot of the Exams tab on the Schedule Class Meetings screen in LionPATH.
Screenshot of the Exams tab on the Schedule Class Meetings screen in LionPATH.