Credit Hour Definition & Implementation
Definition of a Credit Hour
{University Handbook, F115 & 115.1}
One Credit Hour: the amount of effort required to attain a specific amount of knowledge or skill equivalent to three hours of effort per week for 15 weeks.
- Any combination of contact time and effort outside of class is allowed. A common practice is for one academic hour of credit to be composed of a lecture or class to meet for one hour (50 minutes) per week, with two hours per week of outside assignment and study effort expected each week for 15 weeks.
- A laboratory class period equivalent to an academic hour of credit would either meet for one three-hour period each week for 15 weeks with all effort by the student expected to be completed during the laboratory period; or one two-hour laboratory period with one hour of student effort expected outside the class period, each week for 15 weeks.
- Shortened academic sessions (including condensed semesters, intersession classes, or summer classes) and all other modalities (online, distance, etc.) are expected to maintain an equivalent amount of time (contact and outside of class time) as those classes in the 15-week semester.
It should be noted that the judgment of the amount of academic effort that comprises one hour of credit for any class is ultimately a faculty decision, from the development of the course syllabus to the approval through Faculty Senate. Additional time outside of class may be required for graduate coursework. For further detail please refer to the Course Scheduling in the Department Head’s manual. (addition, FS 2/14/12)
One-Half Credit Hour: the amount of effort required to attain a specific amount of knowledge or skill equivalent to 22.5 hours of effort.
- Any combination of contact time and effort outside of class is allowed.
- Academic sessions, including full or condensed semesters, intersession classes, summer classes, or other defined periods of time, as well as all other modalities (e.g., online, distance, etc.), are expected to maintain an equivalent amount of time (contact and outside of class time).
It should be noted that the judgment of the amount of academic effort that comprises a one-half hour of credit for any class is ultimately a faculty decision, from the development of the course syllabus to the approval through Faculty Senate. Additional time outside of class may be required for graduate coursework.
Implementing the Credit Hour Definition
Refer to the Department/Unit Head Manual, Course Scheduling to see the guidelines for implementing the university credit hour definition. This section of the manual will provide guidance on calculating contact hours.
Policy for Standard Class Meeting Times {CAPP - 11/12/19}
