Credit Hour
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Policy title
Credit Hour
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Category
Registrar
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Policy statement
Definition of the Credit Hour (from the NWU Catalog)
Nebraska Wesleyan University follows the Federal Credit Hour Definition (Code of Federal Regulations § 600.2). Based on that definition, one credit hour reasonably approximates not less than –
- one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work per week, adding to approximately 45 hours of work per term; or
- at least the equivalent amount to 45 hours of work per term for other academic activities as established by NWU, including laboratory work, internships, practica, and studio work.
This definition allows NWU to determine the amount of work associated with a credit hour by considering a variety of delivery methods (face-to-face, accelerated, hybrid, or online), measurements of student work, academic calendars, disciplines, and degree levels
Direct Instruction Course Delivery Methods
- Standard Direct (face-to-face) Instruction: Minimum instructional time is verified for each course section, regardless of term length. Courses may use a combination of in-class and directed out-of-class learning activities that amount to approximately 45 hours per credit hour.
- Accelerated Direct (face-to-face) Instruction: Course sections normally meet once per week for 4 hours, with sufficient work outside of class such that each credit hour represents not less than 45 hours of student work
Seat Time/Out-of-Class Work Time Expectations for Standard and Accelerated Direct Instruction
| Credit Hours | 16-Week Sessions | 8-Week Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 credit hour | 1 contact hour/week (50 minutes) plus a minimum of 2 hours’ work outside of class | 2 contact hours/week (100 minutes) plus a minimum of 4 hours’ work outside of class |
| 2 credit hours | 2 contact hours/week (100 minutes) plus a minimum of 4 hours’ work outside of class | 4 contact hours/week (200 minutes) plus a minimum of 8 hours’ work outside of class |
| 3 credit hours | 3 contact hours/week (150 minutes) plus a minimum of 6 hours’ work outside of class | 6 contact hours/week (300 minutes) plus a minimum of 12 hours’ work outside of class |
| 4 credit hours | 4 contact hours/week (200 minutes) plus a minimum of 8 hours’ work outside of class | 8 contact hours/week (400 minutes) plus a minimum of 16 hours’ work outside of class |
| 5 credit hours | 5 contact hours/week (250 minutes) plus a minimum of 10 hours’ work outside of class | 10 contact hours/week (500 minutes) plus a minimum of 20 hours’ work outside of class |
Remote and Arranged Instruction Course Delivery Methods
- Online or Hybrid: Courses offered fully online (75-100% online) or in a hybrid format (25-75% online) must meet the course description, learning objectives, and credit hour standards.
- Arranged: Courses may use a combination of in-class and directed out-of-class learning activities that amount to approximately 45 hours per credit hour.
Class Work Time Expectations for Online/Hybrid and Arranged Instruction
| Credit Hours | 16-Week Sessions | 8-Week Sessions | 5-Week Sessions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 credit hour | 3 hours engaged in classwork per week | 6 hours engaged in classwork per week | 9 hours engaged in classwork per week |
| 2 credit hours | 6 hours engaged in classwork per week | 12 hours engaged in classwork per week | 18 hours engaged in classwork per week |
| 3 credit hours | 9 hours engaged in classwork per week | 18 hours engaged in classwork per week | 27 hours engaged in classwork per week |
| 4 credit hours | 12 hours engaged in classwork per week | 24 hours engaged in classwork per week | 36 hours engaged in classwork per week |
| 5 credit hours | 15 hours engaged in classwork per week | 30 hours engaged in classwork per week | 45 hours engaged in classwork per week |