Credit Hour
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Policy title
Credit Hour
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Category
Registrar
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Policy statement
Definition of the Credit Hour (from the º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ Catalog)
º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ University follows the Federal Credit Hour Definition (Code of Federal Regulations § 600.2). Based on that definition, one credit hour reasonably approximates not less than –
- one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work per week, adding to approximately 45 hours of work per term; or
- at least the equivalent amount to 45 hours of work per term for other academic activities as established by º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½, including laboratory work, internships, practica, and studio work.
This definition allows º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ to determine the amount of work associated with a credit hour by considering a variety of delivery methods (face-to-face, accelerated, hybrid, or online), measurements of student work, academic calendars, disciplines, and degree levels
Direct Instruction Course Delivery Methods
- Standard Direct (face-to-face) Instruction: Minimum instructional time is verified for each course section, regardless of term length. Courses may use a combination of in-class and directed out-of-class learning activities that amount to approximately 45 hours per credit hour.
- Accelerated Direct (face-to-face) Instruction: Course sections normally meet once per week for 4 hours, with sufficient work outside of class such that each credit hour represents not less than 45 hours of student work
Seat Time/Out-of-Class Work Time Expectations for Standard and Accelerated Direct Instruction
| Credit Hours | 16-Week Sessions | 8-Week Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 credit hour | 1 contact hour/week (50 minutes) plus a minimum of 2 hours’ work outside of class | 2 contact hours/week (100 minutes) plus a minimum of 4 hours’ work outside of class |
| 2 credit hours | 2 contact hours/week (100 minutes) plus a minimum of 4 hours’ work outside of class | 4 contact hours/week (200 minutes) plus a minimum of 8 hours’ work outside of class |
| 3 credit hours | 3 contact hours/week (150 minutes) plus a minimum of 6 hours’ work outside of class | 6 contact hours/week (300 minutes) plus a minimum of 12 hours’ work outside of class |
| 4 credit hours | 4 contact hours/week (200 minutes) plus a minimum of 8 hours’ work outside of class | 8 contact hours/week (400 minutes) plus a minimum of 16 hours’ work outside of class |
| 5 credit hours | 5 contact hours/week (250 minutes) plus a minimum of 10 hours’ work outside of class | 10 contact hours/week (500 minutes) plus a minimum of 20 hours’ work outside of class |
Remote and Arranged Instruction Course Delivery Methods
- Online or Hybrid: Courses offered fully online (75-100% online) or in a hybrid format (25-75% online) must meet the course description, learning objectives, and credit hour standards.
- Arranged: Courses may use a combination of in-class and directed out-of-class learning activities that amount to approximately 45 hours per credit hour.
Class Work Time Expectations for Online/Hybrid and Arranged Instruction
| Credit Hours | 16-Week Sessions | 8-Week Sessions | 5-Week Sessions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 credit hour | 3 hours engaged in classwork per week | 6 hours engaged in classwork per week | 9 hours engaged in classwork per week |
| 2 credit hours | 6 hours engaged in classwork per week | 12 hours engaged in classwork per week | 18 hours engaged in classwork per week |
| 3 credit hours | 9 hours engaged in classwork per week | 18 hours engaged in classwork per week | 27 hours engaged in classwork per week |
| 4 credit hours | 12 hours engaged in classwork per week | 24 hours engaged in classwork per week | 36 hours engaged in classwork per week |
| 5 credit hours | 15 hours engaged in classwork per week | 30 hours engaged in classwork per week | 45 hours engaged in classwork per week |