Definition of academic credit hour as defined by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and the federal government.
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Definition:
Definition of academic credit hour: One semester academic credit hour is the equivalent to a
minimum of 700 minutes of instruction (50 minutes x 14 weeks), exclusive of time for final
examination. This is equivalent to 35 hours of instruction plus time for final examination for a three
credit-hour course.
Federal Definition:
The federal definition:
Credit hour: Except as provided in 34 CFR 668.8(k) and (l), a credit hour is 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.