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PRINT DISCLAIMER: Official version of this document is accessible in the online policy library at https://policyoffice.ku.edu/. Printed copies may not reflect the most recent updates.
DOCUMENT TYPE:
Policy
PURPOSE:
The policy connects course credits to the expected student workload. Credits are based on required course activities, no matter where or how they occur, as long as they help achieve course objectives.
APPLIES TO:
Faculty, staff, students, and third-party providers offering credit bearing courses.
CAMPUS:
Edwards, Lawrence, Juniper Gardens, Parsons, Yoder, Topeka, Medical Center, Kansas City, Salina, Wichita
DEFINITIONS:
A class hour at the University of Kansas is typically 50 minutes to allow students and faculty time to transition between classes and buildings.
One competency is equivalent to one credit hour and is subject to the regulations within this policy.
POLICY STATEMENT:
This policy outlines the requirements and principles of credit hour assignments for credit bearing, academic courses to ensure consistency, clarity, and proper credit allocation for adherence to government regulations and accreditation standards.
This policy defines the relationship between the credits assigned to an individual course and the expected work of a student completing that course. Credit assignments should be based on course-related activities regardless of how or where they take place (including in an online/distance learning format), so long as they are required and contribute materially to achievement of course objectives.
Courses with nonstandard terms or no formal meeting patterns must ensure they are meeting the required number of minimum contact hours (or the equivalent for online and hybrid offerings).
Definition of a Credit Hour
The University of Kansas adheres to Federal and Higher Learning Commission (HLC) requirements of a credit hour.
A credit hour is defined by the amount of effort expected from students, based on learning outcomes and their actual achievement. It typically includes:
- One hour of instruction and two hours of additional student preparation or effort per week over a 15-week semester (or equivalent time for shorter terms).
- An equivalent amount of effort for other academic activities like labs, online courses, internships, studio work, or independent study that also result in earning credit hours.
This policy ensures that credit hours reflect both direct instruction and student effort outside of class.
Credit Assignment Principles
Credit Hour Allocations:
All courses at KU are whole numbers of one-credit hour or more (There are no fractional hours).
Variable Credit Hour Courses:
Variable credit hour courses are courses that allow students to enroll for a flexible number of credit hours within a specified range (e.g., 1–6 credit hours) and do not have an assigned meeting pattern. These courses are typically designed to accommodate varying levels of engagement, projects, research, or independent study. Instructors must provide clear, written guidelines for the work required at each credit hour level. The amount of work should be scaled according to the number of credit hours for which a student enrolls, with one credit hour representing approximately 45 hours of total student effort over the term. Courses offering variable credit hours must be approved by the appropriate academic unit and curriculum committee, with the approved range of credit hours clearly specified in the course catalog. Only course components: CLN, FLD, IND, RSH, INT, PRA, and THE are approved as variable credit hour courses.
Course Components:
A course component describes the type of course that is offered to students and is set when the course is proposed. The following outlines the course expectations and guidance for each component type. The advised contact time for each one credit hour is expressed as a ratio of instructor contact hours to the approximate amount of student effort outside of class. A 1:2 ratio means the class meets for 50 minutes and students spend about 110 minutes on outside preparation. A 2:1 ratio means the class meets for 110 minutes and students spend about 50 minutes on outside preparation.
| Component Name |
SIS Code |
KBOR Code |
Instruction Delivered |
Definition |
Advised Contact & Effort Per Credit |
| Activity |
ACT |
STUD |
Organized Section |
Instructor-facilitated course emphasizing learning by doing with engagement in physical, skill-based, or experiential activities focusing on practice, performance, or application of techniques. |
2:1 |
| Studio |
STU |
STUD |
Organized Section |
Instructor-facilitated hands-on, learning with engagement in creative or design-based work emphasizing collaboration, and iterative development, often requiring extended time for project-based application of concepts. |
2:1 |
| Clinical |
CLN |
CLIN |
Individualized Instruction |
Courses involving client and client-related services under direct supervision. Typically conducted inside or outside an institutional setting. |
3:1 - Variable Credit Approved |
| Discussion |
DIS |
DIS |
Organized Section |
Instructor facilitated interactive dialogue focusing on exploration or an in-depth analysis of content supplementing the lecture. |
1:2 |
| Independent Study |
IND |
IND |
Individualized Instruction |
Custom courses designed to meet individual student needs and may include directed readings or specialized instruction. |
1:2 - Variable Credit Approved |
| Individual Research |
RSH |
IND |
Individualized Instruction |
Independent, faculty-guided research activities on a specific topic relevant to the student’s field of study. |
1:2 - Variable Credit Approved |
| Thesis/Dissertation |
THE |
IND |
Individualized Instruction |
Credit hours for research work leading to a thesis or dissertation, required for degree completion. |
As defined by the Advising and Mentorship Policy through the Office of Graduate Studies or the KU Medical Center |
| Field Studies |
FLD |
INT |
Individualized Instruction |
Supervised practical training to supplement or extend classroom learning. |
3:1 - Variable Credit Approved |
| Practicum |
PRA |
INT |
Individualized Instruction |
Supervised practical work in a student’s field with regular faculty consultation. |
2:1 - Variable Credit Approved |
| Internship |
INT |
INT |
Individualized Instruction |
Professional work experience tied to a student’s major or career goal, supervised by industry professionals. |
1:3 - Variable Credit Approved |
| Laboratory |
LBN |
LAB |
Organized Section |
Instructor led hands-on activities or experiments that complement a lecture or program. Separate enrollment in lecture may be required. |
2:1 |
| Laboratory Main |
LAB |
LAB |
Organized Section |
Instructor-led course involving hands-on activities or experiments enhancing the overall program material. |
2:1 |
| Lecture |
LEC |
LEC |
Organized Section |
Instructor-led course delivering content through presentations, discussions, and other instructional methods. |
1:2 |
| Seminar |
SEM |
LEC |
Organized Section |
Instructor-led, Small-group discussion-based course exploring specific topics, with possible student-directed components. |
1:2 |
| Workshop |
WKS |
DIS |
Organized Section |
Credit-bearing courses providing targeted developmental instructional support specifically linked to primary courses. |
2:1 |
| Competency |
CPT |
OTH |
Individualized Instruction |
An instructor led self-paced learning experience where progression through the academic content is based on mastery via direct assessment. |
1:2 |
Instructional Modalities/Modes of Instruction
Regular and Substantive Contact Principles:
Courses designated as online or hybrid, or by appointment provide an engaging educational experience with regular and substantive interactions.
For online and hybrid courses the instructor actively monitors the student’s academic engagement and is responsible for promptly and proactively engaging in manners equivalent to face-to-face instruction. In an online environment, formalized instruction may take the form of one-on-one or group video chat communications, instructor-facilitated asynchronous discussion boards, instructor-facilitated long-term projects, narrated presentations, online synchronous lecture sessions, recorded lectures, and many other options. These sections must be approved by the Center for Online and Distance Learning.
In courses taught by appointment the contact with the instructor may be face-to-face, online, or hybrid. The instructor and student are responsible for scheduling interactions.
Course instruction can be provided in several delivery modalities and still equate to the same learning outcomes and credit hour assignment provided for the course. Instructional modes offered at KU include the following:
In Person (P): A class delivered primarily with face-to-face instruction. 0-24% of formalized instruction and interaction occurs at a distance from campus.
Hybrid Classroom (HC): A blended class with significant in-person classroom instruction and significant online activity. 25-74% of formalized instruction and interaction occurs at a distance from campus. (Considered in-person for all reporting.)
Hybrid Online (HO): A blended class largely delivered online, with some in-person classroom instruction. 75-99% of formalized instruction and interaction occurs at a distance from campus. (Meets the definition of a distance education class for HLC and Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR).)
Online (WW): An online class that uses technology to deliver instruction to students separated from the instructor. 100% of formalized instruction and interaction occurs at a distance from campus.
EXCLUSIONS OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
The Doctor of Medicine program may offer a limited number of 0-hour courses that are approved as medical education courses essential for professional development and accreditation compliance. These courses are subject to the same academic and administrative oversight as credit-bearing courses, ensuring quality and accountability. The University maintains records of student participation and completion within the academic system for transcript purposes.
CONTACT:
Lawrence and all reporting units:
Office of the University Registrar
1502 Iowa Street
Lawrence, KS 66045
785-864-4422
registrar@ku.edu
KU Medical Center and all reporting units:
Office of the Registrar
3901 Rainbow Blvd, Dykes G035
Kansas City, KS 66160
913-588-7055
kumcregistrar@kumc.edu
APPROVED BY:
Chancellor
APPROVED ON:
2014-01-07
EFFECTIVE ON:
2014-01-07
REVIEW CYCLE:
Biennial (Every Two Years)
RELATED STATUTES, REGULATIONS, AND/OR POLICIES:
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Definitions, Credit hour
Higher Learning Commission Federal Compliance Program
Higher Learning Commission Assignment of Credits, Program Length and Tuition Policy
CHANGE HISTORY:
10/29/2025: Substantively revised to comply with KBOR and HLC requirements.
10/24/2025: Added HLC link.
04/21/2025: Updated links.
03/27/2025: Migration to TeamDynamix from Drupal.
10/28/2022: Fixed broken link.
03/05/2019: Policy updated.
12/2014: Updated links to the Federal definition of a credit hour.
Prior to final approval, this policy was developed by the Office of the University Registrar and reviewed and endorsed by the deans, SenEx, AP&P, the University Registrar, and the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management.