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.
*In all MPA programs Supervised Clinical Practice Experience (SCPE), or Clinical Experience courses, one semester credit is equal to a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 50 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.