Credit Hour Policy

Responsible Unit: Enrollment Services | Executive lead: Provost 
Created: 5/2008 | Reviewed/Revised: 3/18/2018, 4/4/2023 | Effective: 5/9/2023 
Compliance: 34 CFR 600.2 , NWCCU 1.C.1, 1.C.2, 1.C.3, 1.C.5; CAPTE 3C, COCA 12.5 and Glossary  
Approving Body: PAC | Classification: Institution-wide 

Policy:  
The credit hour formulas used for determining credit hours at PNWU adheres to the definition of a credit hour as defined by the U.S. Department of Education. 

Definitions: 
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: 

  1. One hour of classroom or directed faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for a semester or trimester hour, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit (or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time); or 
  2. At least an equivalent amount of work as required in #1 for other academic activities such as laboratory work, internships, practicals, studio work, or other academic work leading to the award of credit-hours. 

Procedures: 
N/A 

Related documents: 
Awarding Credit and Degrees Policy 

Policy Resources

For assistance with policies and procedures contact:

Lori Fulton
lfulton@pnwu.edu