Credit Hour Definition

Credit Hour Definition

IU Kokomo follows the University standard for the minimum instruction time for a three-credit class. In all cases, the usual 3-credit lecture class meets for a minimum of approximately 2000 minutes, excluding the final examination period. In most cases a 3-credit class will be scheduled for 2250 minutes plus the final examination period. The minimum instruction time may include distance education techniques as well as class meetings. Classes of varying lengths may be scheduled provided one of the following criterions is met:

A unit of undergraduate academic credit is awarded to a student upon the successful completion of an approved instructional course, or by the demonstration of competency, demonstration of proficiency, or fulfillment of learning outcomes that is equivalent to that provided by an approved instructional course.

Historically, a unit of academic credit is the measure of total time commitment an average student is expected to devote per week of study.  Generally, one unit of credit represents a total of three hours per week of in-class and out-of-class work (Carnegie Unit of Credit).  As noted above, IU Kokomo requires each 3 credit lecture class to meet for a minimum of 2,000 minutes (with 2,250 minutes suggested) excluding the final exam period.  Emerging technologies and delivery methods may necessitate determining a unit of undergraduate credit with non-time based methods.  These courses shall use demonstration of competency, demonstration of proficiency, or fulfillment of learning outcomes to ensure that these courses are equivalent to traditionally delivered courses. 

Regardless of the method of determining a unit of undergraduate academic credit, the quality of student learning must be the primary concern of all IU Kokomo faculty members in the context of awarding a unit of undergraduate academic credit. Quality of learning requires continuous evaluation and assessment of student learning outcomes to justify awarding a unit of undergraduate academic credit. Quality of learning also requires regular student attendance/participation to justify awarding a unit of undergraduate academic credit.

The following standards for a unit of academic credit may only be modified by an academic unit when necessary to fulfill requirements of an accreditation agency. If modification of the following standards is necessary, these standards should be treated as a minimum requirement for a unit of academic credit:

a.  For traditional delivery methodologies (regular semester), one unit of undergraduate academic credit equals:

• 1 hour of lecture, seminar, or recitation and two hours of study per week, or
• 2 hours of laboratory, studio, or similar activities and one hour of study per week, or
• 3 hours of laboratory, studio, or similar activities per week, or
• 3 hours of supervised independent study per week or
• 45 - 75 total hours of supervised clinical or fieldwork experiences (additional preparation time may be required).
  
  For traditional delivery methodologies other than regular semesters, total hours shall equal the above guidelines.

b.  For non-traditional, synchronous delivery methodologies, one unit of undergraduate academic credit equals one hour of lecture or student/faculty interaction and two hours of study. Synchronous delivery methodologies include but are not limited to live television courses, tape delayed television courses, and web-based virtual lecture courses.

c.   For non-traditional, asynchronous delivery methodologies, one unit of undergraduate academic credit shall be determined by:

• Demonstration of competency, demonstration of proficiency, or fulfillment of learning outcomes as judged by the appropriate faculty to be equivalent to a traditionally defined unit of undergraduate credit, or
• What is judged by the appropriate faculty to be equivalent to a time commitment of three hours per week for an average student. Asynchronous delivery methodologies include but are not limited to correspondence instruction, computer-based instruction, and courses combining differing delivery methodologies.
  
  

d.  For internships, student teaching, independent study, and like educational activities which are not under the direct supervision by an IU Kokomo faculty member, one unit of undergraduate academic credit is commensurate with the hours involved and quality of the learning experience and is determined by the credit-awarding unit. Academic credit is awarded when the student fulfills the objectives and/or obtains the required competencies as set by the credit-awarding unit.

e.  For supervised undergraduate research and similar activities, the amount of effort required for one unit of undergraduate academic credit is determined by the supervising faculty and/or advisory committee.

f.  Special credit may be awarded to degree-seeking IU Kokomo students who possess, by previous education or experience, a background in a discipline represented by an IU Kokomo program. The categories under which students are awarded credit are (1) credit by credentials, (2) credit by experience, and (3) credit by examination. Each school and many disciplines may have different policies that define how these mechanisms apply to students seeking credit