Credits and Credit Loads

One credit hour is assigned in the following ratio of component hours per week devoted to the course of study and based on the quarter system, which conforms to the definition of the “Carnegie Unit,” and is further described in the credit and credit load definition.

Academic credit is a measure of the total time commitment required of a typical student in a particular course of study. Total time consists of three components: 1) time spent in class; 2) time spent in the laboratory, studio, field work, or other scheduled activity; 3) time devoted to reading, studying, problem solving, writing, or preparation. One credit hour is assigned in the following ratio of component hours per week devoted to the course of study and based on the quarter system:

Lecture Course: One contact hour for each hour of credit (two hours outside work implied).

Laboratory/Studio Courses: Two contact hours for each hour of credit (one hour outside preparation implied).

Independent Study/Learning Contracts: Three hours of work per week for each hour of credit.

Practicum/Internships: Four hours work per week for each one hour of credit.

According to this definition, it should be understood that a student carrying fifteen credits of lecture course load should be devoting about forty-five hours per week to class attendance and related work. Twelve credits are considered by the College to be the minimum credit load for a full-time student.

Please note: To complete an associate degree program in two years, a student should average fifteen credits per quarter. Prior to registering for more than 18 credits per quarter, a student must consult with an advisor.