One credit hour is equivalent to 1 hour of lecture plus 2 hours preparation per week for a total of 45 hours per semester or the equivalent, as appropriate to intended learning outcomes and as measured by student achievement. This requirement may be fulfilled as follows.
15 weekly class sessions held over the period of a 16-week semester and including 1 hour of direct faculty instruction with an additional requirement of at least 2 hours of reading, assignments, or other appropriate work per week completed outside the classroom, for a total of 45 hours.
One hour of direct instruction includes 50 minutes of instruction and 10 minutes break.
Non-traditional courses (i.e. non-lecture courses) must require 45 hours of student work to result in the award of one credit hour. Such courses may include, but are not limited to, service learning, online, laboratory, and physical activity courses, internships, directed research, and independent study.
Courses offered in less than 16 weeks must fulfill the 45 hour requirement as explained above to ensure the same level of student achievement of intended learning outcomes as provided in a 16-week semester.
Credit hour is synonymous with semester unit or unit.
CSM requires that 1) faculty shall ensure that the time involved in student learning per credit hour is the equivalent to that needed to attain the learning outcomes in comparable courses; 2) learning outcome equivalency may be achieved through multiple course modalities; 3) credit hour equivalencies are to be based on documented qualitative and quantitative expectations for the learning outcomes; and 4) student learning outcome equivalencies reflect differences in delivery methods, quality of instruction and interaction, degree of supervision, measurements of student work, academic disciplines, academic calendars, and degree levels.
The following minimum guidelines shall be followed.
Traditional lecture courses - Faculty are to ensure that the quantity of student learning required per credit is the equivalent to that needed to attain the learning outcomes that would result from approximately 15 hours of faculty instruction and 30 hours of out-of-class student work during the instructional period.
Laboratory/Studio courses - Faculty are to ensure that the quantity of student learning required per credit is the equivalent to that needed to attain the learning outcomes that would result from approximately 45 hours of combined direct instruction, laboratory/studio work, and out of class study during the instructional period.
Independent study courses - Faculty are to ensure that the quantity of student learning required per credit is the equivalent to that needed to attain the learning outcomes that would result from approximately 45 hours of individual work which may include direct instruction or student study during the instructional period.
Courses offered in a shortened format - Faculty are to ensure that the quantity of student learning required per credit is the equivalent to that needed to attain the learning outcomes similar to those in a traditional 15 week course. Outcomes may be achieved through a combination of direct instruction, learning activities, and student study during the instructional period.
Online courses - Faculty are to ensure that the quantity of student learning required per credit is the equivalent to that needed to attain the learning outcomes. Outcomes may be achieved through any combination of instructor-led asynchronous or synchronous online learning activities, as well as student to student, student to instructor, and/or individual learning activities. For existing traditional courses that are also taught online, the student learning outcomes and credit hours should be the same regardless of modality.
Hybrid courses (a course which utilizes a combination of face-to-face and online instruction) - Faculty are to ensure that the quantity of student learning required per credit is the equivalent to that needed to attain the learning outcomes similar to those in a traditional 15 week course. Outcomes may be achieved through any combination of face-to-face instruction, instructor-led asynchronous or synchronous online learning activities, as well as student to student, student to instructor, and/or individual learning activities.
Internship/preceptorship/field experience/clinical experience (clinical practice) courses - a semester credit hour consists of at least 45 hours of supervised internship and/or related activities during the instructional period. If a program has specialized accreditation the field experience should follow the guidelines of the accrediting organization unless that amount is less than the stated hours above.
Private music lessons and recital courses - a semester credit hour consists of the equivalent of at least one half hour per week of direct faculty instruction or supervision as well as sufficient student practice to meet the learning outcomes during the instructional period.
Performance/production courses – a semester credit hour consists of the equivalent of at least 45 hours in varying combinations of rehearsal time, performances, and individual practice.
Combination modalities – any courses that include multiple modalities of instruction that are not explicitly outlined above, shall follow the federal guidelines. Faculty are to ensure that the quantity of student learning required per credit is the equivalent to that needed to attain the learning outcomes that would result from approximately 15 hours of faculty instruction and 30 hours of out-of-class student work during the instructional period.