Credit Hour Policy

In accordance with federal regulations and mandates from the Higher Learning Commission in July 2013, Adrian College defines one credit hour as:

“A credit hour is the amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that approximates not less than:

1. 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 the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or

2. at least an equivalent amount of work as required in (1) of this definition for other activities as established by the institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, and studio work, and other academic work leading toward the award of credit hours.” (Source: Federal Compliance Requirements for Institutions, June 2012, Higher Learning Commission: A Commission of the North Central Association)

A.  As the majority of courses at Adrian College fall within a 15-week, scheduled class block the following is adopted as our assumptions for course work:

a. 1 credit hour course offered in a 15-week schedule consists of 1 hour/week of classroom instruction and 2 hours/week out of class work (3 hours/week x 15 weeks= 45 hours of student effort).

  b.  2 credit hours courses offered in a 15-week schedule consists of 2 hours/week of classroom instruction and 4 hours/week of out of class work (6 hours/week x 15 weeks= 90 hours of student effort).

c.   credit hour courses offered in a 15-week schedule consists of 3 hours/week of classroom instruction and 6 hours/week of out of class work (9 hours/week x 15 weeks = 135 hours of student effort).

d.  credit hour courses offered in a 15-week schedule consists of 4 hours/week of classroom instruction and 8 hours/week of out of class work (12 hours/week x 15 weeks = 180 hours of student effort).

B.  As the majority of activities at Adrian College fall within a 15-week schedule class block, the following is adopted as our assumptions for these activities:

a.  Natural science labs are 2-3 hours of instruction, attached to a course.

b.  Internships are assumed as 1 credit hour= 40 hours of work at the approved site.

c.  Practicums are defined by the external accrediting bodies and information is found in the department’s web pages.

d.  Studios are defined as 3 hours of instruction, twice a week.

e.  Undergraduate research follows the above assumptions for credit hours and student effort.

f.  Allied health program clinical education experiences assume that one semester credit hour of clinical learning= a maximum requirement of 100 hours of clinical time.

C.  For courses or activities that fall outside of the 15 week course schedule, faculty are required to add the above equivalencies to their syllabus as a statement entitled: Credit hour policy compliance.  The following courses and activities covered under this provision include:

a.  Courses offered over a condensed timeframe in any semester;

8-week Courses – Fall and Spring

1 Credit Course: 1.875 hours of classroom instruction per week, 3.75 hours out of class work (45 hours of student effort)

2 Credit Course: 5.625 hours of classroom instruction per week, 11.25 hours out of class work (135 hours of student effort)

b.  Independent and individualized studies in any semester;

c.  May and summer terms courses:

May Term- 4 weeks

1 Credit Course: Must have 45 hours of student effort. Ex. 5 contact hours per week, 4.25 hours assumed student effort

3 Credit Course: Must have 135 hours of student effort. Ex. 15 contact hours per week, 18.75 hours assumed student effort

4 Credit Course: Must have 180 hours of student effort. Ex. 20 contact hours per week, 25 hours assumed student effort

Summer Term- 6 weeks

1 Credit Course: Must have 45 hours of student effort. Ex. 5 contact hours per week, 2.5 hours assumed student effort.

3 Credit Course: Must have 135 hours of student effort. Ex. 15 contact hours per week, 7.5 hours assumed student effort

4 Credit Course: Must have 180 hours of student effort. Ex. 20 contact hours per week, 10 hours assumed student effort

Monitoring of credits for compliance will occur through the Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs office each semester.