DRAFT April 10, 2019
Credit Hour Policy
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 reasonably 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 for 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.
