Credit Hour
The credit hour is a unit by which an institution measures the volume of work a student must complete to earn credit for a course of study. Defining the work required in terms of credit hours allows for comparable work requirements across programs, majors, and degrees. The value of a credit hour may be determined by time, the educational experience, and outside preparation by the student.
For purposes of this policy, an hour of instructional time = 50 minutes. Thus, three instructional hours = 150 minutes.
The following constitutes the definition of a credit hour for various modes of instruction offered at UMHB:
- Lecture/Seminar Classes: A credit hour equates to a minimum of forty-five (45) hours of student work: a minimum of fifteen (15) hours in-class or direct instruction plus a minimum of thirty (30) hours of out-of-class work.
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Laboratory/Experiential Classes: A credit hour equates to a minimum of thirty (30) to forty-five (45) hours of direct instruction in a laboratory/experiential setting, and a minimum of fifteen (15) to thirty (30) hours of out-of-class student work per credit hour to total a minimum of forty-five (45) hours of student work.
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Studio Art Classes: A credit hour equates to a minimum of forty-five (45) hours of student work: a minimum of thirty (30) hours in-class or direct instruction plus a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of out-of-class work.
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Ensemble/Production Classes (Music and Theater): A credit hour equates to a minimum of ninety (90) hours of student work: a minimum of forty-five (45) hours in-class or direct instruction plus approximately forty-five (45) hours of out-of-class time. Total term hours may happen in irregular scheduling. Ensemble or Production Classes beyond degree requirements are awarded zero (0) credit.
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Applied (Private) Music: A credit hour equates to a minimum of forty-five (45) hours of student practice, plus approximately seven and a half (7.5) hours of direct individual instruction.
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Internships, clinical and field experiences require a minimum of forty-five (45) clock hours for each credit hour.
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For online, hybrid and other nontraditional modes of delivery, credit hours are assigned based on learning outcomes that are equivalent to those in a traditional course setting; forty-five (45) hours of work by a typical student for each hour of credit.
Syllabi for every course will contain the appropriate definition of a credit hour from the list above. Each course should then follow this definition.