Office of the Provost
Info For:
Academic Policies

Assignment of Credit Hours

  • Approval Date: 9/6/16
  • Effective Date: 9/6/16
  • Issuing Authority: Provost
  • Implementing Office: Office of the Provost

I. PURPOSE AND APPLICATION

Academic programs at Drexel University are scheduled on both quarter and semester calendars as well as, in some cases, alternate calendars. In all cases, scheduling is guided by the Assignment of Credit Hours policy.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education requires its members to adhere to the U.S. Department of Education definition of a “credit hour.” This definition is as follows:

Credit hour: Except as provided in 34 CFR 668.8(k) and (l)1, a credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:

  1. One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of classroom 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 amount of time; or
  2. At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) 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.

II. STATEMENT OF POLICY

In accordance with federal guidelines set forth in the U.S. Department of Education definition of a “credit hour,” Drexel University defines one Credit Hour Unit (CHU) as approximately equivalent to a minimum of one scheduled hour2 of classroom instruction with a minimum of two hours of out-of-classroom study each week per credit hour over a Drexel calendar quarter or semester, or the equivalent for alternative term schedules3. This policy applies equally to courses of varying credits, duration, and modes of instruction4. Other venues for instruction (such as, but not limited to, experiential instruction, work in laboratories, work in studios, projects, seminars, or thesis/dissertation) provide appropriate credit hour equivalencies to classroom instruction, as specified in the attached table entitled Schedule Type - Credit Hour Equivalencies. In all cases, assignments (e.g., homework) and final assessments (e.g., final examinations and projects) are generally not considered as instructional time for purposes of calculating a CHU. Academic credit for cooperative education (defined below) is based on the student workload related to co-operative education learning outcomes and is equivalent to the academic workload of a full-time student.

This policy applies to all academic levels and all modes of instruction at Drexel University. Student learning outcomes for courses and academic programs are to be uniformly satisfied regardless of the mode of instruction.

Co-operative Education

The amount of work performed as set forth in the job description and in the anticipated learning outcomes is equivalent to the academic workload of a full-time student:

  • at least 32 hours per week of supervised work for paid co-ops
  • at least 20 hours per week of supervised work for unpaid co-ops

Periodic Review

As part of the approval process for new courses or course revisions, credit hours are reviewed by the Faculty Senate, the Office of the Provost, and the Office of the University Registrar. Periodic review of credit hours is further conducted annually by a University committee established by the Office of the Provost in conjunction with the Faculty Senate. In some cases, specialized accreditation and reaccreditation processes require program review of credit hours as well.

III. POPULATIONS AFFECTED

All academic programs

IV. RELATED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Academic Calendar

V. RELATED DEFINITIONS

Scheduled hour of classroom instruction at Drexel University

  • 1 scheduled hour of classroom instruction = at least 50 minutes of-classroom meeting time

Academic Term - Quarter and Semester Calendars at Drexel University

  • 1 Academic Term generally represents a quarter or semester
  • 1 Quarter Credit Hour is defined as 1 Credit Hour Unit over at least 10 weeks
  • 1 Semester Credit Hour is defined as 1 Credit Hour Unit over at least 15 weeks

Notes

  • These definitions are consistent with the Carnegie unit for semester/quarter credit hours
  • Courses scheduled over a period of time other than a quarter or semester reflect proportionate instructional hours within the Academic Term

Conversion between Semester and Quarter Credit Hours

  • 1 Semester Credit Hour = 1.5 Quarter Credit Hour

Note

  • This conversion is applied to situations such as transfer of credit from other institutions and Drexel University students taking courses across quarter and semester calendars

VI. PROCESS: Assignment of Credit Hours

The College or School offering a course is responsible to ensure scheduling consistent with the attached Schedule Type - Credit Hour Equivalencies Table

  • These guidelines apply to lecture, recitation, discussion, seminar, or integrated lecture/laboratory courses. Specifically, one scheduled hour is applied to in-class time instruction and two hours are applied to out-of-class time such as for preparation, reading or other study, project completion, and assignments.
  • For laboratory, studio, field, or seminar courses that include preparation, follow-up reports, and study, one Credit Hour Unit is equivalent to a minimum of two scheduled hours of such activity per week. At least two additional hours are applied to preparation, subsequent reading, and study.
  • For studio courses in which the scheduled hours incorporate lecture components with learning activities, and that includes things such as preparation, follow-up reports, and study, one Credit Hour Unit is equivalent to at least one and one half scheduled hours of activity per week. At least two additional hours are applied to preparation, subsequent reading, and study.
  • For laboratory, studio, or field courses that solely involve experiential learning a minimum of two scheduled hours of is equivalent to one Credit Hour Unit. At least two additional hours are applied to preparation, subsequent reading, and study.
  • For independent study, research, thesis, dissertation, practica, field placement, clinical, residency , internship or other course types that require no officially scheduled instruction hours, one credit hour is equivalent to a minimum of three hours of instructional activity as determined by the instructor or instructional supervisor or discipline specific accrediting body?. At least two additional hours per instructional hour are applied to preparation, subsequent reading, and study.

Schedule Type - Credit Hour Equivalencies

Schedule Type Code Schedule Type Schedule Type Description Credit Hour Definition (weekly class time)
L Lecture Organized instruction in a lecture format in which course material is presented from instructor to student in a one-way format with little discussion. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 1 hour of scheduled class time
ID Integrated Lecture & Lab Organized instruction in which the lecture and lab are taught as one activity. Students learn by doing just-in- time lectures overlapped by lab experiments. Distinguished from a Lecture & Lab in that the components cannot be separated. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 1 hour of scheduled class/laboratory time
B Lab Organized instruction in a laboratory setting for the purpose of the application of methods and principles of a discipline. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 2-3 hours of scheduled laboratory time
U Studio Students develop technical or creative skills utilizing studio facilities and equipment respective to the area of study. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 1.5 hours of scheduled class time
4A Studio-Lecture Organized instruction in which a body of information is delivered in lecture format that is immediately put into practice by students in consultation with the instructor, generally utilizing studio facilities and equipment respective to the area of study. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 1.5 hours of scheduled class time
R Recitation/Discussion Organized instruction in which students take an active role in oral discussions and presentations scheduled separately from an associated large lecture. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 1 hour of scheduled class time
C Seminar Topics of interest are discussed under the direction of an instructor or guest lecturer. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 1 hour of scheduled seminar time
T, T1, T2, T3, T4 Special Topics New course offered by an academic unit which is offered as a pilot addressing topics of particular interest to faculty and/or students. As a pilot, appropriateness and student demand are assessed before formal submission for regularization as a required or elective course. Can be offered as Lecture, Lab, Recitation, Lecture/Lab/Recitation, Lecture/Lab, Lecture/Recitation, Seminar, or Studio Schedule Types. 1 credit is assigned according to the respective Schedule Type.
Y Clinical Faculty-supervised training experience in which the student works in a health care related field setting. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 1 hour of training or experiential participation
W Co-op Experience Supervised experiences in an area of specialization that may be conducted either on or off campus. The amount of work performed as set forth in the job description and in the anticipated learning outcomes is equivalent to the academic workload of a full-time student.
PR Practicum Faculty supervised practical work experience in a particular field of study that is based on previously studied material. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 1 hour of class time or direct faculty instruction
N Internship/Clerkship/Preceptor Supervised career-related experience conducted in a work environment outside of the traditional academic setting. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 2 hours of practice, mentorship, or directed activities
MR Medical Rotation Hospitals and clinics affiliated with the University provide medical and health field students experience in a particular specialty. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 1 hour of training or experiential participation
K Performance Provides instructional means in the way of rehearsal, study, and performance in the arts, often in music, dance and theater. Performances may be held on or off campus. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 2-3 hours of scheduled class time
Q Practice Supervised experience in a particular field, often in an art or medical field of study. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 2-3 hours of scheduled class time
V Private Lesson Individualized instruction with an instructor, typically in the study of the arts. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 1 hour of class time or direct faculty instruction
H Research Independent study done by a student working toward a larger project, such as a master's thesis, senior project, or dissertation. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 1 hour of class time or direct faculty instruction or 2 hours of independent research
P Dissertation Preparation of a scholarly paper completed by a candidate for a doctoral degree. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of hour of direct faculty instruction or a minimum of 3 hours of preparation of scholarly work
I Independent/Directed Study Self-directed study on a topic not substantially covered in a regularized course in the catalog. Requires intermittent consultation with a designated instructor. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 1 hour of direct faculty instruction or 2 hours of self-study
CPS Capstone Individualized supervised investigative study to develop a capstone. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 1 hour of direct faculty instruction or a minimum of 3 hours of preparation of study toward development of a capstone
M Thesis Individualized supervised investigative study to develop a thesis. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 1 hour of direct faculty instruction or a minimum of 3 hours of preparation of study toward development of a thesis
SVL Service Learning A combination of classroom learning and practical real-life experience in a community based setting, also referred to as civic engagement. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 1 hour of scheduled class time or a minimum of 1 hour of community-based experience
X Problem-based Learning Active learning style applied through working in groups and applying thinking strategies about a subject matter. Instructor is often a facilitator of student-focused discussion. 1 credit equals the equivalent of a minimum of 1 hour of scheduled class time
Z Study Abroad Courses taken while a student is studying abroad, not taught at Drexel University. Credit equivalencies are evaluated on the basis of transfer of credit guidelines.

Notes

Drexel University approximates class time using the Carnegie unit equivalent of 1 hour = 50 minutes or the equivalent of 50 minutes of face-to-face instruction.

According to policy, a minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class study are associated with credit hour.

Combined Schedule Types

A course may have one or more schedule types. For courses with two or more schedule types, all types must be offered based on the definitions of indicated above, including the credit to contact hour specifications. Sections can be offered in one of two ways:

  1. Each component is a distinct section and CRN. If the course has a lecture component and a lab component, students would register for two separate sections.
  2. Combined schedule types. The following combined schedule types may be used for scheduling a course:
    • Lecture & Clinical (*)
    • Lecture & Lab (D)
    • Lecture & Recitation (F)
    • Lecture, Lab & Clinical (#)
    • Lecture, Lab & Recitation (G)
    • Lab & Recitation (G)
    • Special Topics – Lec/Rec/Lab (8)
    • Special Topics – Lecture & Lab (3)
    • Special Topics – Lecture & Rec (2)
    • Studio – Lecture & Lab (5)

1 Reference: Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 34 §600.2

2 In accordance with the Carnegie Unit definition, one scheduled hour comprises a minimum of 50 scheduled minutes

3 Examples of alternative term schedules include accelerated courses.

4 Modes of instruction include online, blended, or hybrid (classroom and online) delivery.