Definition of a Semester Credit Hour Regulation 127

I. Purpose and Summary

The purpose of this regulation is to provide guidance for the definition of a semester credit hour in accordance with 34 CFR 600.2 and UNC Board of Governors Policy 400.1.6.

II. Scope

This regulation applies to all courses at all levels that award academic credit (i.e., any course that appears on an official transcript issued by the university) regardless of the mode of delivery or site of instruction, including but not limited to self-paced, online, blended/hybrid, lecture, seminar, studio, laboratory, independent study, internship, practicum, service learning, and other experiential learning activities. 

III. Definitions

A. Federal Definition of a Credit Hour – For the purpose of the application of this regulation at UNCSA and in accordance with federal regulations, a credit hour is an amount of student work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that 

a. Reasonably approximates not less than:

i. 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 hour of credit or the equivalent amount of work over a period of time;

ii. At least an equivalent amount of time as outlined in item a.i. 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;

b. Permits an institution, in determining the amount of work associated with a credit hour, to take into account a variety of delivery methods, measurements of student work, academic calendars, disciplines, and degree levels. (34 CFR 600.2 amended January 21, 2025)

B. UNC System Academic Credit Hour Requirements

a. All UNC institutions must ensure that each course offered for academic credit adheres to the standards advanced by the United States Department of Education.  A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement. The credit hour is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates:

i. Not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction, and a minimum of two hours out of class student work each week for approximately 15 weeks for one semester of credit, to result in a minimum of 750-scheduled minutes of instructional time or; 

ii. The equivalent per credit hour.

b. The UNC institution may identify an equivalent amount of work for a different amount of time, or at least an equivalent amount of work 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.

c. The time may include required examination periods but may not include study days.  In no case may an institution set a calendar that has optional final examinations, if that time is considered a part of the required minimum class time. (UNC Policy Manual 400.1.6 amended 12/17/20)

IV. Application of Credit Hour Policy

The Policy on the University of North Carolina Academic Calendar and Credit Requirements was most recently amended on December 17, 2020. The University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) has adopted its own Policy on Academic Credit Hour Requirements. It is modeled after the UNC System policy and tailored to address needs as identified by UNCSA.

For the purposes of the application of this policy and in accord with federal and UNC System regulations, UNCSA defines a semester contact hour as the amount of time (measured on a clock) that a student spends in class or engaged in learning activities for a specific course. UNCSA uses the Carnegie unit which is equal to 50 minutes. Therefore, one semester credit hour is equal to a minimum of 37.5 semester contact hours. 

Procedure for determining credit hour:

a. Program and curriculum development are faculty responsibilities. Per the UNCSA Faculty Manual, EPC is responsible for reviewing, recommending and approving appropriate credit values for courses. EPC shall comply with regulations in their review and approval of courses and for certifying that the expected learning outcomes and activities for the course meets the credit hour definition.

b. EPC is ensuring that new and revised courses comply with the University’s credit hour standards as set forth in this regulation.

V. Revision History

June 18, 2025 – Adopted by the Chancellor and Executive Team as part of UNCSA Policy Manual.