6,082: Definition of Student Credit Hour
Revised: September 2013
The student credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:
(1) One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction (defined as a nominal 50 minute classroom hour) and a minimum of two hours of out鈥恛f鈥恈lass student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester 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 in paragraph (1) of this definition 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.; The amount of academic credit awarded for such other academic activities is specified in UAM 6,081.
This definition applies in every instance in which academic credit is awarded to students, including credit by exam or portfolio assessment, and regardless of whether instruction is delivered face-to-face, online, or by some other mode.
Review of the course learning outcomes, assignments, and syllabi for alignment with the definition of the Student Credit Hour shall be performed during the annual program assessment required of all degree programs, and review of alignment with this definition shall be a required component of external program review expected every 8 years for all degree programs.