Policy Name: Assignment of a Credit Hour
Owner: Vice President for Academic Affairs
Author: Registrar
Contact information: Jeri Collier, jcollier@css.edu
Effective Date: August 1, 2023
Next Review Date:
Applicable Laws, regulations, compliance: 34 CFR 600.2
I. Purpose
This policy abides by the rules and procedures that the Secretary uses to determine whether an educational institution qualifies in whole or in part as an eligible institution of higher education under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). An eligible institution of higher education may apply to participate in programs authorized by the HEA (HEA programs).
II. Definitions
Clock hour: A period of time consisting of:
- A 50- to 60-minute class, lecture, or recitation in a 60-minute period or;
- A 50- to 60-minute faculty-supervised laboratory, shop training, or internship in a 60-minute period
Scheduling types:
- Asynchronous online - A course in which students interact with course materials each week at a time of their own choosing.
- Hybrid - A course that meets in person at least one time during a semester.
- Hyflex - A course that allows for students from any campus to register that incorporates both options of on-ground learning and on-line learning. On-ground students may participate online but must engage in on-ground learning at least one time.
- On-ground - A course that meets only in person during a semester at any MOHE and HLC approved location.
- Synchronous online - A course that meets online at an established time each week.
III. Policy
The College of St. Scholastica follows the United States Department of Education’s definition of a credit hour outlined in § 600.2. All definitions and standards apply equally to all courses, regardless of venue or modality.
A credit hour is an amount of student work defined by an institution, as approved by the institution’s accrediting agency or State approval agency, that is consistent with commonly accepted practice in postsecondary education and that -
- Reasonably approximates not less than -
- One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one-quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different period of time; or
- At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1)(i) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours; and
- Permits an institution, in determining the amount of work associated with a credit hour to take into account a variety of delivery methods, measurements of student work, academic calendars, disciplines, and degree levels.
For example: 1 credit hour is a minimum of 45 total hours, 2 credit hours is a minimum of 90 total hours, 3 credit hours is a minimum of 135 total hours, 4 credit hours is a minimum of 180 total hours.
Accrediting bodies or applicable state regulations may determine credit for clinical and/or field experiences.
IV. Individuals and entities affected by this policy
All students and faculty.
V. Related documents, forms, and procedures
Academic Activity Estimator
Academic Activity Estimator Process
Academic Activity Estimator FAQs
VI. History and updates
August 1st, 2023: The policy was put into a new standard template. Headers and related documents and procedures were added if applicable. No substantive changes were made to content.
The College reserves the right to modify policies at any time, ensuring the involvement of relevant committees and constituents in the decision-making process (e.g., policy committee, faculty assembly, staff council, student government association, etc.).