Definition of a Credit Hour

A credit hour is an amount of work that reasonably approximates: not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours out of class student work each week for approximately 15 weeks for one semester, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; at least an equivalent amount of work as outlined in the item above for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practicum, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours. (This information is in accord with federal regulations regarding the definition and assignment of credit hours under section 600.0 and 600.24(f) of the Higher Education Opportunity Act.)

A credit hour represents a unit of measure of instruction consisting of 60 minutes, of which 50 minutes must be direct instruction over a 15-week period in a semester system. Academic administrative units are responsible for ensuring that credit hours are awarded only for work that meets this requirement. (This is in accord with The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board definition.) Transfer credits will be evaluated for equivalency to this requirement. Students should expect to invest a minimum of two hours of additional work for each hour of classroom or faculty instruction per week.