Credit Hour Policy

Policy title

Credit Hour Policy

Policy statement

Definition of the Credit Hour (from the NWU Catalog)

Nebraska Wesleyan University follows the Federal Credit Hour Definition (Code of Federal Regulations § 600.2). Based on that definition, one credit hour reasonably approximates not less than –

one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work per week, adding to approximately 45 hours of work per term; or
at least the equivalent amount to 45 hours of work per term for other academic activities as established by NWU, including laboratory work, internships, practica, and studio work.

This definition allows NWU to determine the amount of work associated with a credit hour by considering a variety of delivery methods (face-to-face, accelerated, hybrid, or online), measurements of student work, academic calendars, disciplines, and degree levels

Direct Instruction Course Delivery Methods

Standard Direct (face-to-face) Instruction: Minimum instructional time is verified for each course section, regardless of term length. Courses may use a combination of in-class and directed out-of-class learning activities that amount to approximately 45 hours per credit hour.
Accelerated Direct (face-to-face) Instruction: Course sections normally meet once per week for 4 hours, with sufficient work outside of class such that each credit hour represents not less than 45 hours of student work

Seat Time/Out-of-Class Work Time Expectations for Standard and Accelerated Direct Instruction

Credit Hours	16-Week Sessions	8-Week Sessions
1 credit hour	1 contact hour/week (50 minutes) plus a minimum of 2 hours’ work outside of class	2 contact hours/week (100 minutes) plus a minimum of 4 hours’ work outside of class
2 credit hours	2 contact hours/week (100 minutes) plus a minimum of 4 hours’ work outside of class	4 contact hours/week (200 minutes) plus a minimum of 8 hours’ work outside of class
3 credit hours	3 contact hours/week (150 minutes) plus a minimum of 6 hours’ work outside of class	6 contact hours/week (300 minutes) plus a minimum of 12 hours’ work outside of class
4 credit hours	4 contact hours/week (200 minutes) plus a minimum of 8 hours’ work outside of class	8 contact hours/week (400 minutes) plus a minimum of 16 hours’ work outside of class
5 credit hours	5 contact hours/week (250 minutes) plus a minimum of 10 hours’ work outside of class	10 contact hours/week (500 minutes) plus a minimum of 20 hours’ work outside of class

Remote and Arranged Instruction Course Delivery Methods

Online or Hybrid: Courses offered fully online (75-100% online) or in a hybrid format (25-75% online) must meet the course description, learning objectives, and credit hour standards.
Arranged: Courses may use a combination of in-class and directed out-of-class learning activities that amount to approximately 45 hours per credit hour.

Class Work Time Expectations for Online/Hybrid and Arranged Instruction

Credit Hours	16-Week Sessions	8-Week Sessions	5-Week Sessions
1 credit hour	3 hours engaged in classwork per week	6 hours engaged in classwork per week	9 hours engaged in classwork per week
2 credit hours	6 hours engaged in classwork per week	12 hours engaged in classwork per week	18 hours engaged in classwork per week
3 credit hours	9 hours engaged in classwork per week	18 hours engaged in classwork per week	27 hours engaged in classwork per week
4 credit hours	12 hours engaged in classwork per week	24 hours engaged in classwork per week	36 hours engaged in classwork per week
5 credit hours	15 hours engaged in classwork per week	30 hours engaged in classwork per week	45 hours engaged in classwork per week