Policy on Credit Hour

Credit hour is the unit by which an institution measures its course work. The number of credit hours assigned to a course quantitatively reflects the outcomes expected, the mode of instruction, the amount of time spent in class, and the amount of outside preparatory work expected for the class.

Nevada State College (NSC) measures students learning in accordance with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and University (NWCCU) Policy on Credit Hour, which relies on federal regulations on the definition and assignment of credit hours.

Federal regulation mandate that all candidate and accredited institution comply with the definition of the credit hour as set forth in section 600.2, which defines the credit hour as:

An amount of work represent 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.

In general, unit value for course offerings is governed by the NSC Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee and Common Course Numbering Committee. Schools and departments are responsible for submitting course approval requests that include a detailed description of how unit value is justified. In addition, periodic compliance review of the credit hour policy will be incorporated into each school’s established curriculum review schedule to ensure a course’s credit hours reflect the amount of work required to earn those credits.

Review Policy for Compliance with College Credit Hour Requirements

The Office of the Registrar regularly audits scheduled courses offerings to ensure compliance with the credit hour requirements through its processes for class scheduling each semester. This review is conducted across all schools, disciplines, courses levels, and modes of instruction. The Office of the Registrar maintains a historical method of its review of each semester.