Credit Hour Definition
The number of credit hours proposed for any course or award relies on the knowledge of the discipline faculty and accrediting bodies and falls within the range of best practice in higher education. The College uses a modified Carnegie Unit (55 minutes per week for 15 weeks versus 50 minutes per week for 16 weeks) for assigning credit values to courses. The value of a credit equates three hours of work per week (1 hour of lecture plus 2 hours of out of classroom work) for 15 weeks. In certain circumstances (including, but not limited to, labs, clinicals and internships), it is possible to have more hours, but not less.
Application of Credit Hours in Different Formats of Courses & Programs
Under the authority of the State of Michigan, Delta College has the ability to award undergraduate pre- and post-associate degree certificates, the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in General Studies, Associate in Fine Arts, and Associate in Applied Science degrees. The College has established program length through Delta College Board of Trustee approval.
The following table acts as a model for listing the minutes per semester a class meets for a given credit:
| Credit Hour(s) | Time per semester (55 min. per credit*, 15 week semester) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 825 minutes |
| 2 | 1650 minutes |
| 3 | 2,475 minutes |
| 4 | 3,300 minutes |
| 5 | 4,125 minutes |
There is a three tiered process of curriculum review, with committees comprised of both faculty and staff from across the College. Staff inclusions include representatives from the Registrar’s, Counseling, Financial Aid, Dean of Enrollment Management and Institutional Research offices, with faculty representation coming from across the College. All new associate degrees and certificates of 24 or greater credit hours must also be approved by the Delta College Board of Trustees.
Different Formats of Courses & Programs
The College offers courses in a variety of formats, including face-to-face, blended/hybrid and internet. All courses, regardless of format, must meet credit hour standards and course and program outcomes.
Courses that run on compressed formats are scheduled in such a way as to assure the total time needed for the appropriate credits is maintained. The College is approved to offer up to 20% of its programs in a completely on-line format by the HLC. Courses delivered in online or web-enhanced format are identical in outcomes and objectives to those offered in traditional face-to-face format.