Course Credit Policy

Midwestern University has defined course credits across all colleges and programs in alignment with the federal credit hour definition: that is, one credit hour is equivalent to one hour (50 minutes) of lecture and two (2) hours of out-of-class work each week. Over a usual ten-week quarter of instruction, the following contact times are assigned for every one credit hour based on the specific type of learning activity:

• Lecture: 1 hour of lecture and 2 hours of out-of-class work for each week of instruction
• Laboratory: 2-4 hours of contact time for each week of instruction
• Case discussion, interactive group problem-solving, recitation, or workshop: 2 hours of contact time for each week of instruction
• Other activities: 3 hours of contact time. Exam time can be considered part of contact time such that an instructor has the option to count time spent on assessments as part of contact time
• Online or distance education: 3 hours of student work for each week. Student work includes reading, research, online discussion, instruction, assigned group discussion, and preparation of papers or presentations.

Some colleges or programs offer condensed courses that are offered over a shorter period of time than the usual ten-week quarter of instruction. Midwestern University follows the federal credit hour definition. The following contact times are assigned for every one credit hour based on the specific type of learning activity:

• Lecture: 10 hours of lecture and 20 hours of out-of-class work
• Laboratory: 20-40 hours of contact time
• Case discussion, interactive group problem-solving, recitation or workshop: 20 hours of contact time
• Online or distance education: 30 hours of student work. Student work includes reading, research, online discussion, instruction, assigned group discussion, and preparation of papers or presentations.

Experiential education or rotation credits are determined by different formulae depending on the college or program.

• For AZCOM, CCOM, CPDG, CPG, CDMA, CDMI, CVM, AZCOPT, CCO:  Each week of full time experiential education (equivalent to 40 hours of instruction) is equivalent to 1.5 credits.
• For CHS and CGS: Each week of full time experiential education (equivalent to 40 hours of instruction) is equivalent to 1 credit.

If approved, some Colleges or Programs may allow the inclusion of full-time student participation on Midwestern University - sanctioned mission trips as experiential education or rotation time. In this case, the course credit policy for experiential education or rotations applies. The minimum amount of credit per mission trip that can be applied to a stand-alone course is 0.5 credit hours.

The Curriculum Committee of the College approves the number of credits hours for all courses including those utilizing alternative delivery methods. The determination/assignment of credit hours should reflect the overall educational content of the course and the academically engaged time required to achieve the desired outcome for the typical student. Academically engaged time may be measured by the type, quantity, and required level of mastery of the course content.