CREDIT HOUR DESCRIPTIONS IN THE SYLLABI
For courses that do not follow the typical pattern of one hour in class plus two hours
out of class (three for graduate courses) per credit hour for fifteen weeks, the
syllabus must provide a description of how the credit hour requirements are met.
Based on an amendment to the Higher Education Act, Federal regulations require institutions of
higher education to establish a credit hour definition, which is in agreement with the Federal
definition. The credit hour definition is used to determine a student’s eligibility for Federal
assistance, and is monitored by an institution’s regional accrediting agency. The Higher Learning
Commission of the North Central Association will ensure that we conform to the regulations by
reviewing our credit hour policies and procedures, and a sampling of our syllabi.
According to Andrews’ definition, if a course does not meet for fifteen weeks, or if the learning
experience is such that learning may take longer to achieve (such as laboratory, independent
study, tours, etc.), an equivalent amount of direct faculty-student contact and out-of-class
student work is required. This equivalent amount needs to be clearly stated on our course
syllabi. Examples of how this can be accomplished are shown below.
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Example 1
Class time/day
Sunday, March 25, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Monday - Thursday, March 26 - 29, 8:00am – 12:00 noon; 2:00 - 4:00pm
Exam: Thursday, March 29, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Estimation of Time Use for Completing Assignments for this Course
An undergraduate 3-credit course requires a total of 135 hours for course lectures,
reading requirements and written assignments. For this course, the instructor estimates
that this total of 135 hours will be distributed in the following activities:
Class Lectures during the Intensive:
Reading:
Written Assignments:
Sermons:
30
50
35
20
hours
hours
hours
hours
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Example 2
For undergraduate courses:
This course is offered for X credits; therefore, it is expected that you will spend X times 3
hours per week during the 15 week duration of this class. A suggested weekly schedule to
divide your time is provided:
(3 credit class example)
Readings: 2 hours
Interactive Discussion on the Readings: 2 hours (recommend ½ hour daily for at least 4
days a week)
Assignments: 3 hours
Weekly Work on Final Project: 2 hours
For graduate courses:
This course is offered for X credits; therefore, it is expected that you will spend X times 4
hours per week during the 15 week duration of this class. A suggested weekly schedule to
divide your time is provided:
(3 credit class example)
• Readings: 3 hours
• Interactive Discussion on the Readings: 3 hours (recommend ½ hour daily for at least
6 days a week)
• Assignments: 3 hours
• Weekly Work on Final Project: 3 hours
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