G-30-22 Credit Hour Policy

Approved: 6/7/2019. Revised: 2/16/2026

The state of Oregon says that “credit hour” means one postsecondary credit resulting from at least two hours of student work out of class (or in equivalent lab time) for each contact hour in class totaling approximately 30 hours of student work in a quarter. (ORS 583-030-0015) At COCC, approximately 30 hours of student engagement per credit is represented by:

1. Lecture, music ensemble, private lessons: 10 to 12 contact hours of instruction plus a minimum of 20 hours of out-of-class student work
2. Lecture/lab: 20-24 contact hours of instruction plus a minimum of 10 hours of out-of-class student work
3. Lab: 30 to 36 contact hours of student work in a quarter (with no expectation of work outside of lab)
4. Cooperative Education/Clinical/Practicum: 30 to 36 clock hours of supervised or semi-supervised instruction consisting of work experience
5. Independent Study: a minimum of 30 hours of student involvement equals one credit hour

The Curriculum Committee of the college is charged with reviewing the contact hours, student learning outcomes, and assessment methods for all new and revised courses. Instructional deans will be responsible for certifying that the course meets the credit hour standard.

For courses in which instruction is less clearly tied to contact hours, such as courses that might be offered exclusively online, the chair and dean may review evidence of equivalency that reasonably approximates the minimum hours of student engagement. 

This credit hour policy applies to all credit-bearing courses regardless of the mode of delivery Academic department chairs and deans may audit course sections to ensure compliance with this policy.