Credit Hours: Difference between revisions

From Appalachian State University Policy Manual
 
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Policy 214
Policy 214
== Introduction ==
== Purpose ==
1.1 The purpose of this policy is to support Appalachian State University’s compliance with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges’ (SACSCOC or “Commission”) expectations regarding credits and federal regulations governing the award of financial aid.


1.2 As part of the Commission’s review of the University seeking initial or continuing accreditation, the SACSCOC conducts reviews of the University’s assignment of credit hours. Academic credit has provided the basis for measuring the amount of engaged learning time expected of a typical student enrolled not only in traditional classroom settings, but also laboratories, studios, internships and other experiential learning, and distance and correspondence education.
The purpose of this policy is to support Appalachian State University’s compliance with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges’ (SACSCOC or “Commission”) expectations regarding credits and federal regulations governing the award of financial aid.
 
1.3 Students, institutions, employers, and others rely on the common currency of academic credit to support a wide range of activities, including the transfer of students from one institution to another.
 
1.4 For several decades, the federal government has relied on credits as a measure of student academic engagement for the purpose of awarding financial aid.


== Scope ==
== Scope ==
2.1 This applies to all faculty, staff and students of Appalachian State University.
This applies to all faculty, staff and students of Appalachian State University.


== Definitions  ==
== Definitions  ==


=== Credit Hour ===  
=== Credit Hour ===  
:the unit by which an institution measures its course work.  The number of hours assigned to a course is a measure of the outcomes expected, the mode of instruction, the amount of time spent in class, and the amount of work that is expected outside of class in order to complete all course objectives.
:The unit by which an institution measures its course work.  The number of hours assigned to a course is a measure of the outcomes expected, the mode of instruction, the amount of time spent in class, and the amount of work that is expected outside of class in order to complete all course objectives.


=== Semester Credit Hour ===
=== Semester Credit Hour ===
:the most commonly used unit for reporting the credit earned in a class and is based on a sixteen week calendar at Appalachian State University. Across the UNC system, a class must meet for a minimum of 750 minutes for every semester hour of credit (See Appendix A).  Many institutions refer to this standard as the “Carnegie Credit Hour,” but a thorough review of the history of that term has revealed that the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching was not the source of that standard. Regardless of the actual origin of the term, the standard of two or more hours outside of class for every hour of in-class instruction is a common standard that is clearly reflected in the SACSCOC credit hour rule.
:The most commonly used unit for reporting the credit earned in a class and is based on a sixteen-week calendar at Appalachian State University. Across the UNC system, a class must meet for a minimum of 750 minutes for every semester hour of credit.


== Policy and Procedure Statements  ==
== Policy and Procedure Statements  ==
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=== Introduction ===
=== Introduction ===


4.1.1 All courses offered for credit at Appalachian State University (the University) must meet both internal and external accreditation standards for class contact hours and for expected out-of-class learning. Internal policies are stated in the Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletins and are consistent with the University’s accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) standards. The University of North Carolina Policy Manual includes specific requirements for class meeting times in section 400.1.6. Specifically, a class must meet for one hour per week for fifteen weeks for each semester hour of credit granted. Thus, a three credit hour class must have 45 scheduled class sessions on the MWF schedule; classes that meet for 90 minutes twice a week need to have 30 class meetings.  These standards apply not only to traditional on-campus classes that meet face-to-face, but also to online courses, study away, and study abroad. The total number of meeting times for a course is inclusive of the scheduled final exam.
# '''Accreditation Standards''' - All courses offered for credit at Appalachian State University (the University) must meet both internal and external accreditation standards for class contact hours and for expected out-of-class learning.
 
# '''Out-of-Class Preparation''' - Students should expect to spend at least two to three hours of studying for every hour of class time. Hence, a fifteen hour academic load might reasonably require between 30 and 45 hours per week of out-of-class work.
4.1.2 During the 2010-2011 academic year, Faculty Senate proposed a policy requiring at least two hours of preparation outside of class for every hour in class. That policy was approved by the University Academic Policies & Procedures Committee (AP&P) and is published as part of the Undergraduate Bulletin:
 
'''Standards of Scholarship In our mission statement, we state that Appalachian State University aims at "providing undergraduate students a rigorous liberal education that emphasizes transferable skills and preparation for professional careers" as well as "maintaining a faculty whose members serve as excellent teachers and scholarly mentors for their students." Such rigor means that the foremost activity of Appalachian students is an intense engagement with their courses. In practical terms, students should expect to spend two to three hours of studying for every hour of class time. Hence, a fifteen hour academic load might reasonably require between 30 and 45 hours per week of out-of-class work. '''
 
=== Credit Guidelines ===
 
4.2.1 One semester credit is assigned in the following ratio of component hours per week devoted to the course of study:
#Non-Laboratory Class Instruction
 
4.2.2 Lecture or Seminars:
#Normally, one credit hour is associated with a class meeting for 50 minutes per week for an entire semester (or the equivalent 750 semester-minutes for 15 weeks of the semester). 
 
4.2.3 Web/Web Based Majority/Web Based Hybrid - Formal presentation and interaction occurs only, primarily or partially through online communication via the internet. Presentation may incorporate elements of lecture, lab, and other activity types. Flexibility of time and location for delivery are key factors that distinguish online course from traditional courses.  With Web-Based Majority or Web Based Hybrid, less flexibility and some face-to-face meeting are part of the course.  Credit hours associated with this organizational type of courses should be equivalent to credit hours when a course is delivered in another format on campus.  Departments/College/Schools are responsible for determination that the course delivery is equivalent.
 
4.2.4 Lecture/Laboratory Class Instruction
 
4.2.4.1 Combined Lecture/Lab or Studio - Normally, for courses that contain both a lecture and lab component 2-4 credit hours are assigned to the course. Typically that breaks down to 50-150 minutes of lecture per week (or the equivalent 750-2,250 semester minutes) and 50-200 minutes of laboratory or studio instruction (or the equivalent 750-3000 semester minutes).
 
4.2.4.2 Clinical - This type of instruction is reserved for courses in the health sciences discipline.  May include lecture, laboratory, seminars and conferences, but the primary learning activity is by supervised “hands-on” experience.  Clinical contact hours (84-126 hours per semester) are determined in most cases by program accreditation bodies.  Normally, these courses meet 1-2 days per week for 5.6 to 8.4 hours per week (or the equivalent of 5,040-7,560 semester minutes). Semester credit is 2-3 credit hours.
 
4.2.5 Laboratory Class Instruction
 
4.2.5.1 Laboratory - Normally, once credit hours is associated with a class meeting for 50-150 minutes per week for an entire semester (or the equivalent of 750-2,250 semester-minutes for 15 weeks).
4.2.5.2 Studio - Two to four semester credit hours are associated with a class meeting 100-200 minutes per week
 
4.2.5.3 Performance/Recital/Ensemble - Zero to one semester credit hour is associated with each of the School of Music performance based courses. Normally courses meet once a week for 100-250 minutes (or the equivalent of 1,500-3,750 semester-minutes for 15 weeks).
 
4.2.5.4 Physical Education/Outdoor/Activity Based - One semester credit hour is association with a class meeting 50 minutes per week for an entire semester
 
4.2.5.5 Conversational Foreign Language - One semester credit hour is associated with a class meeting 50 minutes per week for an entire semester.
 
4.2.5.6 Lesson/Individual Instruction - One semester credit hour is associated with a class meeting 100-150 minutes per week for an entire semester (or the equivalent of 1,500 -2,250semester minutes for 15 weeks).
 
4.2.6  Independent Study
 
4.2.6.1 Experiential, Research, Individual Study, Student Teaching - Credit hours associated with this type of instruction will be assigned credit depending upon the amount of activity associated with the course, faculty supervision, and student outside work activity.
 
4.2.7 Continuing Education –Other Credit
 
4.2.7.1 Study Abroad/Study Away - Credit hours associated with these types of courses should be equivalent to credit hours when a course is delivered in another format on campus.  OIED and the Overseas Education Committee are responsible for ensuring course delivery is equivalent (See Appendices B, C).
 
4.2.7.2 Short course/conferences/workshop - These units of credit are usually assigned to continuing education work accomplished during short courses, conferences or workshop. Typically, 10 hours of contact type equates to 1 CEU, although this can vary from state to state.


=== Types of Credit Awarded by Appalachian State University ===
=== Types of Credit Awarded by Appalachian State University ===
4.3.1 Regular Credit:  Credit earned for regularly offered collegiate courses of instruction that meet the requirements of a degree program.
# '''Regular Credit'''<br />Credit earned for regularly offered collegiate courses of instruction that meet the requirements of a degree program.
# '''Thesis Credit'''<br />Students who are judged by the thesis or dissertation committee chair to be making satisfactory progress in the term of enrollment will be assigned a grade of IP (in progress) by the chair for that term. Students who are not progressing satisfactorily will be assigned a grade of U. This credit allows measure of the expected amount of work and the resources used, while the student actually earns zero degree credit hours.
# '''Transfer Credit'''<br />Appalachian State University students may earn transfer credit from a variety of sources, including but not necessarily limited to: hours earned at other regionally-accredited institutions with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better; credit by exam (e.g., Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge AS / A and CLEP); military coursework and experience; and international coursework. With respect to coursework completed at North Carolina Community Colleges, Appalachian abides by the North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA), which dictates that students who have earned an Associate in Arts (AA) or Associate in Science (AS) degree from any North Carolina Community College with a grade of “C” or better in all CAA courses have met the general education requirements of any University of North Carolina campus. For students not receiving an AA or an AS degree, up to 30 semester hours of Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) coursework from a North Carolina Community College may be applied toward a University of North Carolina campus’ lower-division general education requirements. Courses not previously approved may be submitted to the appropriate department for equivalency review. All coursework over ten years old will be reviewed by academic departments to determine transferability.  Appalachian does NOT accept remedial or developmental coursework. For more information on Appalachian’s transfer credit policy, please visit the [https://transfer.appstate.edu/prospective-students/transferring-credits Transferring Credits]  page, hosted by the Office of Transfer Admissions & Engagement.


4.3.2 Thesis Credit: Students who are judged by the thesis or dissertation committee chair to be making satisfactory progress in the term of enrollment will be assigned a grade of IP (in progress) by the chair for that term. Students who are not progressing satisfactorily will be assigned a grade of U. This credit allows measure of the expected amount of work and the resources used, while the student actually earns zero degree credit hours. Examples: Master’s thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
=== Credit for Life Experience ===


4.3.3 Transfer Credit: Appalachian State University Students will be granted credit for hours earned at other accredited institutions. The North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement dictates that students who have earned an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from any North Carolina Community College have met the general education requirements of any University of North Carolina campus. In addition, completion of the UNC Common Core at one of the North Carolina Community Colleges satisfies general education requirements.  
# '''Life Experience'''<br />In exceptional cases, credit may be awarded for prior non-college-based learning if the credit sought is related to the student’s degree program (i.e. general education, major or licensure requirements). Assessment of prior learning will commence only after a student has been admitted to the University and has declared a major.
Individual courses taken at other institutions are articulated to Appalachian State University by the appropriate department. Courses that have been previously reviewed and approved for University credit are kept in a database maintained by the Office of Transfer Articulation and are automatically articulated to University credit.  Courses not previously approved may be submitted to the appropriate department for review.
# '''Assessment of Creditable Learning'''<br />Anyone seeking credit for life experience must be either a candidate for an undergraduate degree at Appalachian or taking courses for teacher licensure. Credit for life experience cannot be used to repeat a course, nor can it be used to meet the University’s residency requirements for graduation.


4.3.4 Credit by Examination: Upon the recommendation of a graduate student’s committee and with the approval of the chair of the department in which it is listed, one graduate course may be challenged by examination. Credit by examination may not be used to repeat a course. Anyone seeking to pursue credit by examination must be a degree- or certificate-seeking student at Appalachian or must be working towards credit for teacher licensure.
If arrangements can be made with the appropriate department chair, a fee of $50.00 is charged for the examination. A receipt from the Student Accounts Office must be shown to the department chair before final approval can be given and the examination can be administered. If the examination is passed, credit without grade will be noted on the student’s transcript. The department chair will notify the Graduate School using the credit by examination form, to prompt the Registrar to enter the credit on the permanent record and notify the cashier to reimburse the faculty member who administered the examination. If the examination is not passed, no notation is made on the transcript.


=== Dual Degree/Middle College/Etc. ===
{| class="wikitable"
 
4.4.1 Life Experience
 
Persons interested should see the Coordinator of Credit for Life Experience in the University College Academic Advising Office.
In exceptional cases, credit can be awarded for prior non-college-based learning if the credit sought is related to the student’s degree program (i.e. general education, major or licensure requirements). Assessment of prior learning can commence only after a student has been admitted to the University and has declared a major.
 
The student will first meet with the designated Academic Advising representative who will help in defining the areas or disciplines in which appropriate creditable learning may have occurred. Actual assessment is conducted by a faculty member in the appropriate academic area. A $100.00 fee for each area of assessment will be charged. Payment is made to the Student Accounts Office.
 
'''Note''': Anyone seeking credit for life experience must be either a candidate for an undergraduate degree at Appalachian or taking courses for teacher licensure. Credit for life experience cannot be used to repeat a course, nor can it be used to meet the University’s residency requirements for graduation.
 
{| border ="1"  
!colspan="6"|Summary of Semester Credit Hours Guidelines
!colspan="6"|Summary of Semester Credit Hours Guidelines
|-
|-
!Instructional Type
| '''Instructional Type'''
!Weekly Student Class Hours
| '''Weekly Student Class Hours'''
!Preparation Weekly per Class Hours
| '''Preparation Weekly per Class Hours'''
!Semester Minutes Class/Prep
| '''Semester Minutes Class/Prep'''
!Number of Semester Credit Hours Awarded
| '''Number of Semester Credit Hours Awarded'''
!Notes
| '''Notes'''
|-
|-
|'''Non-Laboratory Class Instruction'''
!colspan="6"|Non-Laboratory Class Instruction
|
|-
|
| Lecture
|
| 1 to 4
| Required
| 750-3,000/1,500-6,000
| 1 to 4
|
|
|-
| Seminar
| 1 to 3
| Required
| 750 to  2,250/1,500-4,500
| 1 to 3
|
|
|-
|-
|Lecture
| Web/Web Based
|1 to 4
| 3
|Required
| Required
|750-3,000/1,500-6,000
| 2250/4,500
|1 to 4
| 3
|
|
|-
| Majority/Web Based Hybrid
|
|
|
|
|
|-
!colspan="6"| Lecture/Laboratory Class Instruction
|-
| Combined Lecture/Lab
| 3 to 5 class hours
| varies
| 2,250-3,750/0
| 4
|
|-
| Combined Lecture/Studio
| 1-5 class hours
| varies
| 750-3,750/0
| 2 to 4
|  
|-
| Clinical
| 5.6 to 8.4 class hours (84 to 126 contact hours per course)
| varies
| 750-3,750/0
| 3
|
|-
!colspan="6"| Laboratory Class Instruction
|-
| Laboratory
| 1 to 3 class hours
| varies
| 750-2,250/0
| 1
|
|-
| Studio
| 2 to 4 class hours
| varies
| 750-2,250/0
| 2 to 3
|
|-
| Performance/Recital/Ensemble
| 2-5 rehearsal hours
| varies
| 750-2,250/0
| 0 to 1
|
|-
| Physical Education/Outdoor/Activity based
| 3 hours
| varies
| 750-2,250/0
| 1
|
|-
| Conversational Foreign Language
| 3 hours
| varies
| 750-2,250/0
| 3
|  
|-
|-
|Seminar
!colspan="6"| Independent Study
|1 to 3
|Required
|750 to  2,250/1,500-4,500
|1 to 3
|
|-
|-
|Web/Web Based Majority/Web Based Hybrid
| Instructional Assistant
|3
| 0
|Required
| varies
|2250/4,500
|  
|3
| 1
|
|  
|-
|'''Lecture/Laboratory Class Instruction'''
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|Combined Lecture/Lab
| Lesson/Individual Instruction
|3 to 5 class hours
| 1 to 3
|varies 2,250-3,750/0
| varies
|4
| 750 to 2250/0
|
| varies
|-
|  
|Combined Lecture/Studio
|1-5 class hours
|varies
|750-3,750/0
|2 to 4
|
|-
|Clinical
|5.6 to 8.4 class hours (84 to 126 contact hours per course)
|varies
|750-3,750/0
|3
|
|-
|'''Laboratory Class Instruction'''
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|Laboratory
| Practicum
|1 to 3 class hours
| 0
|varies
| varies
|750-2,250/0
|  
|1
| varies
|
|  
|-
|-
|Studio
| Research
|2 to 4 class hours
| 0
|varies
| varies
|750-2,250/0
|  
|2 to 3
| varies
|
|  
|-
|-
|Performance/Recital/Ensemble
| Student Teaching
|2-5 rehearsal hours
| 0
|varies
| varies
|750-2,250/0
|  
|0 to 1
| 12
|
|  
|-
|Physical Education/Outdoor/Activity based
|3 hours
|varies
|750-2,250/0
|1
|
|-
|-
|Conversational Foreign Language
| Thesis/Dissertation
|3 hours
| 0
|varies
| varies
|750-2,250/0
|  
|3
| 1 to 3
|
|  
|-
|'''Independent Study'''
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|Instructional Assistant
| Field Experience
|0
| 0
|varies
| varies
|
|  
|1
| varies
|
|-
|Lesson/IndividualInstruction
|1 to 3
|varies
|750 to 2250/0
|varies
|
|-
|Practicum
|0
|varies
|
|varies
|
|
|-
|-
|Research
| Independent/Individual Study
|0
| 0
|varies
| varies
|
|  
|varies
| varies
|
|-
|Student Teaching
|0
|varies
|
|12
|
|-
|Thesis/Dissertation
|0
|varies
|
|1 to 3
|
|
|-
|-
|Field Experience
| Internship
|0
| 0
|varies
| varies
|
|  
|varies
| 1 to 12
|
|  
|-
|Independent/Individual Study
|0
|varies
|
|varies
|
|-
|Internship
|0
|varies
|
|1 to 12
|
|-
|-
|'''Continuing Education--Other Credit'''
!colspan="6"| Continuing Education- Other Credit
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|Study Abroad/Away
| Study Abroad/Away
|1 to 3 hours
| 1 to 3 hours
|varies
| varies
|varies
| varies
|1 to 6
| 1 to 6
|Depends on length of trips
| Depends on length of trips
|-
|-
|Individual Study
| Individual Study
|0
| 0
|varies
| varies
|
|  
|varies
| varies
|
|
|-
|-
|Short course/conferences/workshops
| Short course/conferences/workshops
|10 class hours
| 10 class hours
|
|  
|500/0
| 500/0
|1 CEU
| 1 CEU
|
|
|}
|}


== Additional References ==
== Appendices ==
=== Appendices ===
: [http://policy.appstate.edu/images/a/a6/UNC_Academic_Calendar.pdf Appendix A: UNC Policy Manual Statement on Credit Hours]
: [http://policy.appstate.edu/images/a/a6/UNC_Academic_Calendar.pdf Appendix A: UNC Policy Manual Statement on Credit Hours]
: [http://policy.appstate.edu/images/a/a1/Study_Abroad_and_Away.pdf Appendix B: Study Abroad, Study Away, and other Short Term Courses]
: [http://policy.appstate.edu/images/a/a1/Study_Abroad_and_Away.pdf Appendix B: Study Abroad, Study Away, and other Short Term Courses]
Line 305: Line 228:
: [http://policy.appstate.edu/images/2/2c/Examples_of_Credit_Hour_Classes_Meeting_Guidelines.pdf Appendix D: Examples of Classes That Meet Appalachian State University Credit Hour Guidelines]
: [http://policy.appstate.edu/images/2/2c/Examples_of_Credit_Hour_Classes_Meeting_Guidelines.pdf Appendix D: Examples of Classes That Meet Appalachian State University Credit Hour Guidelines]


=== Supporting Documentation ===
== Additional References ==
 
#[http://www.northcarolina.edu/policy/index.php?pg=vb&node_id=365 UNC “The UNC Academic Calendar,” Section 400.1.6 of the UNC Policy Manual]
#David Haney, 2011. “Credit Hours and Outside Work,” Unpublished report for the South Dakota Board of Regents.
#SACSCOC 2011. “Credit Hours Policy.” http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/081705/Credit%20Hours.pdf
#Appalachian State University Undergraduate Bulletin 2011-2012 page 41.
#Appalachian State University Policy on Internet/Web-Based Courses.
#2013 AOEP Proposal Form. http://international.appstate.edu/education/aoep/programproposal
#http://www.northcarolina.edu/aa/articulation/102.51CAA_Modified_September_2008_v3.pdf
#http://www.bannerweb.appstate.edu/pls/PROD/bzsktran.P_Select_term
#2012-2013 Undergraduate Bulletin, p. 40
 
== Authority ==


#[https://registrar.appstate.edu/resources/course-catalogs/undergraduate-bulletin Appalachian State University Undergraduate Bulletin]
#[http://policy.appstate.edu/Policy_on_Internet/Web-Based_Courses Appalachian State University Policy on Internet/Web-Based Courses]
#[https://international.appstate.edu/faculty-staff-resources/faculty-led-program-proposal-forms AOEP Proposal Form]


== Contact Information ==
== Contact Information ==
:Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education| [https://academicaffairs.appstate.edu/ Academic Affairs] | 828-262-7660


 
== Original Effective Date ==
== Effective Date ==
:August 30, 2012
:August 30, 2012


== Revision Dates ==
== Revision Dates ==
:January 24, 2022
:September 29, 2022
[[Category:Contents]]
[[Category:Academic Affairs]]

Latest revision as of 17:04, 29 September 2022

Policy 214

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to support Appalachian State University’s compliance with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges’ (SACSCOC or “Commission”) expectations regarding credits and federal regulations governing the award of financial aid.

Scope

This applies to all faculty, staff and students of Appalachian State University.

Definitions

Credit Hour

The unit by which an institution measures its course work. The number of hours assigned to a course is a measure of the outcomes expected, the mode of instruction, the amount of time spent in class, and the amount of work that is expected outside of class in order to complete all course objectives.

Semester Credit Hour

The most commonly used unit for reporting the credit earned in a class and is based on a sixteen-week calendar at Appalachian State University. Across the UNC system, a class must meet for a minimum of 750 minutes for every semester hour of credit.

Policy and Procedure Statements

Introduction

  1. Accreditation Standards - All courses offered for credit at Appalachian State University (the University) must meet both internal and external accreditation standards for class contact hours and for expected out-of-class learning.
  2. Out-of-Class Preparation - Students should expect to spend at least two to three hours of studying for every hour of class time. Hence, a fifteen hour academic load might reasonably require between 30 and 45 hours per week of out-of-class work.

Types of Credit Awarded by Appalachian State University

  1. Regular Credit
    Credit earned for regularly offered collegiate courses of instruction that meet the requirements of a degree program.
  2. Thesis Credit
    Students who are judged by the thesis or dissertation committee chair to be making satisfactory progress in the term of enrollment will be assigned a grade of IP (in progress) by the chair for that term. Students who are not progressing satisfactorily will be assigned a grade of U. This credit allows measure of the expected amount of work and the resources used, while the student actually earns zero degree credit hours.
  3. Transfer Credit
    Appalachian State University students may earn transfer credit from a variety of sources, including but not necessarily limited to: hours earned at other regionally-accredited institutions with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better; credit by exam (e.g., Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge AS / A and CLEP); military coursework and experience; and international coursework. With respect to coursework completed at North Carolina Community Colleges, Appalachian abides by the North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA), which dictates that students who have earned an Associate in Arts (AA) or Associate in Science (AS) degree from any North Carolina Community College with a grade of “C” or better in all CAA courses have met the general education requirements of any University of North Carolina campus. For students not receiving an AA or an AS degree, up to 30 semester hours of Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) coursework from a North Carolina Community College may be applied toward a University of North Carolina campus’ lower-division general education requirements. Courses not previously approved may be submitted to the appropriate department for equivalency review. All coursework over ten years old will be reviewed by academic departments to determine transferability. Appalachian does NOT accept remedial or developmental coursework. For more information on Appalachian’s transfer credit policy, please visit the Transferring Credits page, hosted by the Office of Transfer Admissions & Engagement.

Credit for Life Experience

  1. Life Experience
    In exceptional cases, credit may be awarded for prior non-college-based learning if the credit sought is related to the student’s degree program (i.e. general education, major or licensure requirements). Assessment of prior learning will commence only after a student has been admitted to the University and has declared a major.
  2. Assessment of Creditable Learning
    Anyone seeking credit for life experience must be either a candidate for an undergraduate degree at Appalachian or taking courses for teacher licensure. Credit for life experience cannot be used to repeat a course, nor can it be used to meet the University’s residency requirements for graduation.


Summary of Semester Credit Hours Guidelines
Instructional Type Weekly Student Class Hours Preparation Weekly per Class Hours Semester Minutes Class/Prep Number of Semester Credit Hours Awarded Notes
Non-Laboratory Class Instruction
Lecture 1 to 4 Required 750-3,000/1,500-6,000 1 to 4
Seminar 1 to 3 Required 750 to 2,250/1,500-4,500 1 to 3
Web/Web Based 3 Required 2250/4,500 3
Majority/Web Based Hybrid
Lecture/Laboratory Class Instruction
Combined Lecture/Lab 3 to 5 class hours varies 2,250-3,750/0 4
Combined Lecture/Studio 1-5 class hours varies 750-3,750/0 2 to 4
Clinical 5.6 to 8.4 class hours (84 to 126 contact hours per course) varies 750-3,750/0 3
Laboratory Class Instruction
Laboratory 1 to 3 class hours varies 750-2,250/0 1
Studio 2 to 4 class hours varies 750-2,250/0 2 to 3
Performance/Recital/Ensemble 2-5 rehearsal hours varies 750-2,250/0 0 to 1
Physical Education/Outdoor/Activity based 3 hours varies 750-2,250/0 1
Conversational Foreign Language 3 hours varies 750-2,250/0 3
Independent Study
Instructional Assistant 0 varies 1
Lesson/Individual Instruction 1 to 3 varies 750 to 2250/0 varies
Practicum 0 varies varies
Research 0 varies varies
Student Teaching 0 varies 12
Thesis/Dissertation 0 varies 1 to 3
Field Experience 0 varies varies
Independent/Individual Study 0 varies varies
Internship 0 varies 1 to 12
Continuing Education- Other Credit
Study Abroad/Away 1 to 3 hours varies varies 1 to 6 Depends on length of trips
Individual Study 0 varies varies
Short course/conferences/workshops 10 class hours 500/0 1 CEU

Appendices

Appendix A: UNC Policy Manual Statement on Credit Hours
Appendix B: Study Abroad, Study Away, and other Short Term Courses
Appendix C: Approval Process for Short-Term Study – Away Courses (Includes any short-term course offered within U.S Borders)
Appendix D: Examples of Classes That Meet Appalachian State University Credit Hour Guidelines

Additional References

  1. Appalachian State University Undergraduate Bulletin
  2. Appalachian State University Policy on Internet/Web-Based Courses
  3. AOEP Proposal Form

Contact Information

Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education| Academic Affairs | 828-262-7660

Original Effective Date

August 30, 2012

Revision Dates

January 24, 2022
September 29, 2022
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