3.51 Credit Hour

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to define an academic credit and credit hour.

Applicability

Riverland Community College offers courses for academic credit under the authority of the Board of Trustees for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

Scope

All

Definitions

Credit: A unit of measure assigned to a system college course offering or an equivalent learning experience that takes into consideration achieved student learning outcomes and instructional time.

Credit Hour:

1. 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 and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for one semester, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time, such as in distance learning environments; or
   2. At least an equivalent amount of work as required in item 1 for other academic activities as established by the System College or University, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.
2. For a program that is subject to a clock/credit-hour conversion, the lesser of:
   1. Clock hours in the credit-hour program divided by 37.5 clock hours of instruction; or
   2. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system–approved credit hour.

Does this policy have a procedure?

No

Related Policies, Procedures, or Forms

• Minnesota State Board policy 3.36

Submit completed form and policy to the Cabinet Member responsible for the division affected by the proposal. This section to be completed by President’s Office.

Date Implemented: 2/9/2017

Responsible Division / Author: Academic Affairs / Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs

Date Revised: 6/2022 — number and new template