Credit Hours and Variations to Obtaining Credit

A unit credit hour reasonably approximates not less than one hour of lecture with two hours of preparation outside of class time per week throughout one semester of 14 weeks. Two contact hours of activity (e.g., in Exercise Sciences) or three contact hours of laboratory (e.g., in Bio Chem) shall be considered equivalent to one credit hour of lecture. The university has determined that fifty minutes of lecture or classroom instruction reasonably approximates one hour of lecture or classroom instruction.

A course offered in a term of fewer than 14 weeks shall contain the same contact hours, preparation time, content, and requirements as the same course offered over a 14-week semester.

The approval of the department chair and the college dean shall be required to schedule all short-term courses.

Regardless of how they are offered, classes should be consistent in terms of purpose, scope, quality, assessment and expected learning outcomes with other classes bearing the same department code, number, and course title.

A hybrid class shall be defined as any class in which 25% to 50% of scheduled class sessions are conducted by means in which student and instructor are not in the same physical location. Classes that exceed the 50% limit shall be considered online classes.

The policies on this website (including any university procedures, processes, benefits, courses of conduct, or oral or written statements arising from or related to these policies) do not constitute any legally enforceable contract, obligation, or liability on the part of the university, except to the extent that they are incorporated by reference into a written agreement signed by an authorized university official. These policies do not alter the “at-will” employment status of any university employee hired on an “at-will” basis. The university reserves the right to interpret, revise, or withdraw these policies at any time and at its sole discretion.