Definition of a Credit Hour

CTU awards quarter credit hours to reflect the successful completion of pre-determined course learning objectives and requirements. A quarter credit hour represents an institutionally established equivalency of work or learning corresponding to intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement. CTU has established equivalencies that reasonably approximate expected learning outcomes resulting from the following time commitments:

  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 11 weeks, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; for example, 5.5 week classes require approximately twice the work on a weekly basis.
  2. At least an equivalent amount of work 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.