Semester Credit Hour Policy

The unit of semester credit is defined as university-level credit that is awarded for completion of coursework, the transfer of coursework from another accredited institution, or the evaluation of college-level prior learning. One credit hour (at least 50 minutes) reflects an amount of work represented in the intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement for these learning outcomes. A credit hour is awarded on the basis of one of three sets of criteria.

1. For traditional in-class courses: The completion of one credit hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two credit hours of out-of-class student work each week for one semester (15 weeks); or
2. For online, hybrid, and accelerated courses: The completion of an equivalent amount of faculty instruction and student work, as stipulated above in paragraph (1), that may occur over a different amount of time; or
3. For other academic activities: The completion of an institutionally sanctioned academic activity (e.g., internship, practicum, studio work, laboratory work, and fieldwork) that is equivalent to the amount of work stipulated in either paragraphs (1) or (2) and may occur over a different amount of time.