| Course / Format | Credits | Contact Hrs/Wk | Outside Work Hrs/Wk | Total Hrs/Wk | Total Hrs (15-wk term) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Lecturee.g., Psy 320, Eng 101 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 135 |
| Lecture + Labe.g., Biology, Chemistry | 4 | 3 lec + 3 lab | 6 | 12 | 180 |
| Lab / Studio Only1 credit = 3 hrs lab/wk | 1 | 3 | 0–1 | 3 | 45 |
| Online / AsynchronousSame total hours, no set meeting time | 3 | 3 (equiv.) | 6 | 9 | 135 |
| Accelerated (7-week)Doubled weekly load | 3 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 126 |
| Internship / PracticumPer federal guidelines | 1 | 40–45 hrs total | — | — | 40–45 |
Carnegie Hours in College Courses
How contact time, out-of-class work, and credit hours relate under the Carnegie Unit standard
Reference Guide · Higher Education
The Carnegie Credit Hour Formula
1 credit hour = 1 hour of instruction + 2 hours of out-of-class work per week × 15 weeks = 45 total student-engagement hours per credit
Source: U.S. Department of Education & Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching · 50-minute class periods count as one contact hour
Credit Hours by Course Format
Quick Reference
Term Length Equivalencies
| Semester (15 wks) · 1 credit | 45 hrs |
| Quarter (10 wks) · 1 credit | ~33 hrs |
| 7-week accelerated · 1 credit | 42 hrs |
| 4-week summer · 1 credit | ~45 hrs |
| One 50-min class = contact hrs | 1 hr |
Contact Hours by Activity Type
| 1 hr lecture → outside prep | 2 hrs |
| 1 hr lab → outside prep | 0–1 hr |
| 1 hr seminar / discussion | 2 hrs |
| 1 hr studio (art, music) | 1–2 hrs |
| Independent study / tutorial | 15 hrs/credit |
Sources: Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching · U.S. Department of Education Credit Hour Definition (34 CFR §600.2) · SUNY Credit/Contact Hour Policy · Wikipedia: Carnegie Unit and Student Hour