G-30-22 Credit Hour Policy

Approved: 6/7/2019

Credit-bearing courses are scheduled and conducted in compliance with federal regulations defining the credit hour, regardless of delivery method. A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that reasonable approximates not less than 30 hours of student engagement. 

Credit is based on in-class or equivalent contact hours of instruction plus student out-of-class work. The 30-36 hours of student engagement of each 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 clock hours of instruction
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 [Program director, Chair or Dean] will 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 will audit course sections to ensure compliance with this policy.