Credit Hour Policy

The following policy defines the credit hour at Capitol Technology University in accordance with applicable federal and state regulations.

Capitol Technology University defines the credit hour as an approximation of the learning outcomes equivalent of the Carnegie Unit. Courses are developed and evaluated to ensure that the amount of student learning required per credit is equivalent to one 50-minute hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work over approximately fifteen weeks. Alternatively, this may include two 50-minute hours of direct faculty instruction and four hours of out-of-class student work in an eight-week graduate sub-term for one semester hour of credit, or an equivalent amount of work for other academic activities such as laboratory work, internships, independent study, and other academic experiences.

Student learning outcomes reflect differences in course delivery methods, type of instruction and interaction, degree of supervision, measurement of student work, academic disciplines, and degree levels. Regardless of delivery method, all courses should require a consistent level of active academic engagement to meet course objectives.

For asynchronous online courses, active academic engagement may include interactive tutorials, group discussions, online study groups, threaded discussion boards, chat sessions, submission of assignments, and student or faculty-initiated communication. Simply logging into the course does not constitute active academic engagement.

The chart below outlines the minimum amounts of instruction and preparation time per credit over a full semester or graduate sub-term. Some courses may require additional study or laboratory time.

All credit-bearing courses, with the exception of doctoral dissertation research, writing, and presentation courses, require syllabi. These syllabi include the number of credit hours, class meeting times, and an approximate schedule of required assignments.