Credit Hour Definitions

The federal government defines a  credit hour as the 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 activities as established by an institution, including laboratory work, internships, practical, studio work, and other academic work leading toward to the award of credit hours.

Centenary University defines its credit hour in accordance with the New Jersey Administrative Code Title 9A and applicable regulations and as such assures compliance in all modes including accelerated on-ground, accelerated online and accelerated blended courses. Course developers are to ensure that the quantity of student learning required per credit is the equivalent of between 42 (for a three credit course) and 56 (for a four credit course)hours of coursework for the semester through activities that demonstrate student competency in the defined learning outcomes.

Semester Formats

Centenary University operates on a 15 week semester basis , whereas The School of Professional Studies operates on trimesters offering 6 accelerated terms consisting of 8 week classes. The quantity and quality of student course work in the accelerated, non-traditional, online, on-ground and blended formats must be equivalent to those in a traditional 15 week semester. Program and course outcomes in the non-traditional, accelerated programs will align with the program and course outcomes in the traditional programs while at the same time will allow for the unique nature of the adult, online and blended learning environment.