Last update: September 2014
A credit hour is a measure of the amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement. A credit hour is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates:
- not less than one hour of classroom instruction 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 of credit or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or
- at least an equivalent amount of work for other academic activities such as laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.
Academic credit may be earned through traditional coursework at Temple University, courses approved for transfer from other institutions, Advanced Placement Tests, International Baccalaureate Exams, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), military experience, cooperative work experience, and prior work or life experience. Please see Credit for Prior Learning.
Courses evaluated for transfer from colleges and universities with different credit systems (quarter hours, units) are converted to semester hours (i.e., 2 quarter hour credits are equivalent to 1.5 semester hour credits; 3 quarter hour credits are equivalent to 2.0 semester hour credits; 4 quarter hour credits are equivalent to 2.5 semester hour credits).