Definition of a Credit Hour in a Synchronous Format Class
Federal regulations define a credit hour as 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 15 weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time.
At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.
West Coast University measures its academic programs in semester credit hours, defined as:
For lecture classes, one semester credit is equal to a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 clock hours of instruction.
For laboratory classes, one semester credit is equal to a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 40 clock hours of instruction.
For supervised clinical/practicum classes, one semester credit is equal to a minimum of 45 and a maximum of 60 clock hours.
For externships/internships, one semester credit is equal to a minimum of 65 and a maximum of 85 clock hours.
*In the counseling program lecture/externships, lecture/internships, lecture/clinical, and lecture/practicum courses, one semester credit is equal to a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 120 clock hours.
Because the above definition credits are translated to clock hours, West Coast University defines a clock hour as a minimum of 50 minutes in which lectures, demonstrations, and similar class and related student learning activities are conducted.
Definition of a Credit Hour in an Online or Blended Class That May Contain Asynchronous Hours
West Coast University ensures courses that include asynchronous hours provide learning and student work equivalent to those required for synchronous courses as defined above. Calculation of credit hours in an online or blended format course is based on the consideration of the total time to complete instructional time and time spent studying and completing activities such as:
Participation in face-to-face or virtual conferencing as required
Reviewing the course, syllabus, and announcements
Reading the required textbook or resources materials (URLs and articles)
Reviewing required interactive presentations
Completion of required assignments (e.g., research, writing, online discussions, reflection, group work, presentations/videos/audio, interviews, case studies, multimedia creation)
Completion of quizzes/tests/exams
Reviewing instructional feedback
West Coast University strives to ensure an equivalency of effort and time invested by the student in learning activities, whether a course is taught in an online or on-ground environment.