CREDIT HOUR

Reference: 34CFR 600.2

Credit will be awarded for College courses as described in the credit hour procedure. All courses will adhere to minimum expectations.

Adopted: June 27, 2017

Procedure 6130A

CREDIT HOUR DEFINITIONS AND PROCEDURES

Reference:  Policy 6130A

Federal Credit Hour Definition
A credit hour is 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:

• One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out­-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or
• At least an equivalent amount of work as required in 1 of this definition for other activities as established by an institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading toward to the award of credit hours.

For all College courses and programs with academic credit, the credit hour is defined as the amount of work represented in the desired learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement. Summer, shorter block, and distance education courses have equivalent expectations and, in the case of in-person instruction, the same time requirements.

• One hour of course time or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-course student work each week for a full semester or equivalent time for a shorter session.
• Equivalent amount of work and assessment for other academic activities such as clinicals, practica, internships, and other academic work leading toward the award of credit hours.
• For courses such as online, where no required seat time exists, a credit hour is measured by an equivalent amount of work as documented by student achievement, use of equivalent syllabi, textbooks, and learning objectives.

For most instructional types at Western Wyoming Community College, fifty (50) minutes is considered an hour of “classroom or direct faculty instruction.” For Internships, and Practicums, sixty (60) minutes is considered an hour.

All courses, regardless of modality (face-to-face, online, blended [hybrid], concurrently enrolled, or directed study), must adhere to the credit hour standard as established.  Any course offered for less than 15 weeks must be equivalent in both direct faculty contact hours and out-of-class effort expected of students (approximately two hours for every hour in class) as a full semester-length course.  The rationale for an exception for any particular course must be documented and approved by Curriculum Committee  and approved by the Vice President for Student Learning.

Course Types

APPLIED MUSIC LESSON
One private half-hour (one credit) or hour (two credits) lesson per week in a specified area with a required minimum of 37.5 hours of preparation time by the student per credit. Each lesson is one-on-one instruction with a faculty member and may include working with an accompanist. All students are required to perform a minimum of two times per semester at convocations and perform an end-of-semester jury as part of their lessons. Minimum: 7.5 hours of direct faculty instruction (375 minutes) and a minimum of 37.5 hours of out-of-class student work per credit hour.

DIRECTED STUDY 
This individualized method of instruction involves the student working on his/her own to carry out objectives established by the instructor in an area where there is a specific need and no College course is offered to address the student’s requirements.

Procedure: Before a directed study can be started, the instructor must develop a complete course syllabus, have it approved by the School Chair and submit it to the Registrar to be entered on the system. Competency based.

FIELD SCHOOL/FIELD STUDY 
A field school/field study is a classroom without walls where lectures are ongoing and the material learned is applied directly to the appropriate environment. Minimum: 30 hours (1500 minutes) of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of 15 hours of out-of-class student work per credit hour.

ENSEMBLE
Minimum: 30 hours (1500 minutes) of classroom performance instruction and a minimum of 15 hours of out-of-class student practice per credit hour. Ensembles are required to perform a minimum of once per semester at a public performance venue.

INTERNET
An Internet course is a course that provides instruction through a computer interface. Instruction, discussion, assessment and feedback are conducted electronically. Course assessment is based on attainment of course outcomes. The course may be open-entry/open-exit or may follow a prescribed semester schedule for assignments, papers, and exams. Some Internet courses may require a face-to-face component, such as a lab experience. Competency based.

INTERNSHIP 
This method of instruction results in the placement of the student in a major-specific paid or unpaid work position. The supervising instructor must submit a complete course outline to the School Chair or Vice President for Student Learning that covers all of the guidelines established in the College catalog for this type of course. A position must be available and agreed upon between the student, the instructor of record and internship coordinator before the student registers for the course. Minimum: 45 hours (2700 minutes or forty-five 60-minute hours) per credit hour.

LABORATORY/CLINICAL
A course in which the primary method of instruction is application-oriented or “learning by doing.” The discussion/group interaction format may also be utilized. Minimum: 30 hours (1500 minutes) of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of 15 hours of out-of-class student work per credit hour.

LECTURE 
A course in which the primary method of instruction is verbal and where a lecture/discussion/group interaction format is utilized. Minimum: 15 hours (750 minutes) of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of 30 hours of out-of-­class student work per credit hour.

LECTURE/LABORATORY
A course in which approximately 50% to 60% of the instruction time is lecture and approximately 40% to 50% of the instruction time is laboratory.

• Example: Four-credit Math/Science and Social Science (75 hours (3750 minutes) of classroom or direct faculty instruction)
  
  
  • 45 Hours (2250 minutes) of Lecture (Three Credits)
    30 Hours (1500 Minutes) of Lab (One Credit)
    105 Hours of out-of-class student work
• Example: Three-credit Automotive course (60 hours of classroom or direct faculty instruction)
  
  
  • 30 Hours (1500 minutes) of Lecture (2 Credits)
    30 Hours (1500 minutes) of Lab (1 Credit)
    75 Hours of out-of-class student work

OPEN ENTRY
A course in which the primary method of instruction is application-oriented (flex) “learning by doing” or self-paced, mastery-learning (open entry/open exit) courses where students work with instructor supervision in the accomplishment of instructor-established objectives and sequenced learning activities. Competency based.

PRACTICUM
Exercise Science: A field experience that allows a student to observe and document how working professionals perform their job responsibilities. Students will also participate, to a limited extent, in performing tasks under supervision by program instructors and on-site staff. Concurrently, students enroll in a course that outlines the expectations and requirements of the practicum. Participation at the practicum site is typically 2-3 times per week for a few hours per session. No remuneration is expected for a practicum, but it does qualify for academic credit. Minimum 3750 minutes per credit hour.

Nursing: Students in the Nursing Program may also participate in a practicum experience in which they follow 1-2 preceptors. Minimum: 30 hours (1800 minutes or thirty 60-minute hours) of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of 9 hours of out-of-class student work per credit hour.

Theatre: This course provides practical experience for students interested in participating in college-sponsored theatre activities and production. Areas of interest include acting, dancing, singing, stagecraft, lighting, costumes, props, and other technical support. Students will be required to perform at least 30 hours (1500 minutes) lab experience or direct faculty instruction hours and a minimum of 15 hours of out-of-class student work per credit hour. May be taken four times for credit.

SEMINAR
A small group of students studying under an instructor using a variety of instructional and learning methods ranging from lecture to discussion of student research. Students may also attend a seminar given by an expert in the field followed by discussion and interaction. Minimum: 15 hours (750 minutes) of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of 30 hours of out-of-class student work per credit hour.

STUDIES IN
The topics course may be a lecture, laboratory, or a combination lecture/lab. This category should be used for testing a course to determine if the demand is there and whether the format is appropriate before making it a permanent course offering within a college program.

Procedure: Studies courses may be offered in the same topical area only two times and then must be submitted to the Curriculum Committee for approval to make the course a permanent offering. A complete course syllabus must be approved by the School Chair and submitted to the Office for Student Learning before the course may be taught. All studies course outlines will also be submitted to the Curriculum Committee each semester as part of its consent agenda.

WORKSHOP
A brief, intensive educational program for a group of people that focuses on techniques and skills in a particular field. Workshop is a lab-type course. Only six hours of Workshop credit may count toward graduation. The Workshop category should be used for areas where the topics vary and the course is not offered on a regular basis. A completed course syllabus will be approved by the School Chair and submitted to the Office for Student Learning before the course may be taught. Workshop courses may be offered in the same topical area only two times and then must be taken to the Curriculum Committee for approval to make the course a permanent offering in the Workshop category. Minimum 30 hours (1500 minutes) of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of 15 hours of out-of-class student work per credit hour.

 

Adopted: October 10, 2013
Revised: June 27, 2017
Revised: January 17, 2019
Revised: December 29, 2021