Credit Hours

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 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. Courses not previously approved may be submitted to the appropriate department for review.

Dual Degree/Middle College/Etc.

1. Life Experience
   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.
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.

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 Faculty Policies and Development | Academic Affairs | 828-262-2643

Original Effective Date

August 30, 2012