Credit Hour Policy
Credit Hour Policy
Background
All courses, regardless of delivery format, must adhere to the U.S. Department of Education’s definition of a credit hour:
The U.S. Department of Education, at 34 CFR Section 600.2, defines “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:
(1) one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, 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 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.”
Manhattanville Credit Hour Definition:
- Unit measure of instruction for awarding credit:
- The college considers “one hour of direct faculty instruction” within the Carnegie unit to be 50 minutes, rather than the literal 60 minutes per hour.
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education, our accrediting agency, in its Credit Hour Policy requires institutions to verify compliance with Credit Hour regulations. Manhattanville College complies with U.S. Department of Education (USDE), New York State Department of Education (NYSED), and Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE) regulations pertaining to degree requirements and Credit Hours.
Minimum Credit Hours for degree completion:
- Undergraduate degrees require the successful completion of a minimum of 120 Credit Hours.
- All master’s degrees require at least 30 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate level. The number of credits required for master’s degrees and beyond is determined by the faculty and connected to the recommendations of professional associations and accreditors.
Minimum Semester Length
All semester formats, including traditional semester-length classes and the accelerated and summer formats, must comply with the Credit Hour definition.
Course Credit Hour Assessment
- All new courses are vetted by the appropriate curriculum committees, as defined by college and school bylaws, to ensure requirements meet with Credit Hour regulations.
- Existing courses are reviewed periodically by the School Deans, Office of the Registrar, and assessment committees to ensure that the work load is consistent with the potential Credit Hours to be earned.
For full policy, please see: https://www.mville.edu/about-manhattanville/office-president/manhattanville-college-policies/policies-z