The institution publishes and implements policies for determining the amount and level of credit awarded for its courses, regardless of format or mode of delivery. These policies require oversight by persons academically qualified to make the necessary judgments. In educational programs not based on credit hours (e.g., direct assessment programs), the institution has a sound means for determining credit equivalencies.
Non-Compliance
The
institution defines a credit hour as “For each semester hour of credit, a traditional lecture or laboratory course shall strive to meet a minimum of 750
minutes per lecture credit hour. Final examination periods may be counted as
class time when computing required minutes.” However, the institution’s
definition does not address federal regulations and the SACSCOC “Credit Hours”
policy “and a minimum of two hours out of class 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 . . . .”
The
class schedule within the course syllabus for EDCI 450 indicates reading,
quizzes and assignments that take place outside of the seated classroom
hours. The Graduate credit hour policy,
which states “Ordinarily, one semester-hour credit is given for one hour of
class attendance a week for a period of one semester,” is consistent with the definition
of the undergraduate credit hour.
The
institution has Undergraduate and Graduate Curriculum committees that monitor
credit hour assignment for proposed new courses. The curriculum committees are faculty
committees. The Graduate Curriculum Committee includes members of the Graduate
Faculty and representation from each academic college.
The
institution uses the American Council on Education's Guide to the Evaluation of Educational
Experiences in the Armed Forces when considering awarding credit for coursework
as credit equivalencies. Any credit awarded from military schools must be
approved by the Director of Admissions and the student’s academic dean.
The University’s definition of a student credit hour has been revised to include expectations of class time and out of class time as follows:
Credit Hour Definition
A credit is a measurement of course work completed
satisfactorily. A specified number of credits must be earned for a degree.
For purposes of the application of this policy and in
accord with federal regulations, a credit hour is an amount of work represented
in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement
of outcomes that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably
approximates:
1. 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 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 outlined in item 1 above 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.
Other colleges and universities may operate on a
"quarter basis," that is, dividing the year into four quarters and
giving quarter credits. Quarter credits multiplied by two-thirds equal semester
credits. Semester credits multiplied by one and one-half equal quarter credits.
The definition on student credit hour has been revised in the University Catalog:
· Undergraduate Credit hour definition in the University Catalog December 12, 2019
· Graduate Credit hour definition in the University Catalog on December 12, 2019
The Committee on Academic Affairs and Standards, which oversees undergraduate academic policies, called for an email vote resulting in the approval of revisions to the definition. Simultaneously the Graduate Council met in a regular meeting and voted on and approved the same definition.
· Approved Results of Graduate Council Vote
· CAAS email vote and approval of changes to the Definition of Undergraduate Credit Hour
· Graduate Council Vote on changes to the definition of a graduate credit hour
· Graduate Credit hour definition in the University Catalog on December 12, 2019
· Undergraduate Credit hour definition in the University Catalog December 12, 2019