Academic credit is awarded in terms of semester credit hours. The University uses a three-digit numbering system for its courses. Graduate level courses are numbered ranging from 500 to 699.
The Master’s level course work is delivered in an online mode using seven- or eight-week block terms (excluding weekends, holidays, fall/spring breaks). For example, a seven-week term is 33 days of instruction and one day for the final examination. As a rule, graduate course work is offered as three-credit hour courses. The number of credit hours assigned to a course quantitatively reflects the outcomes expected, the mode of instruction, the amount of time spent in class, and the amount of outside work expected for the class. For online graduate level courses, each credit hour corresponds to approximately 48 hours of student engagement. This time may be spent on discussions, readings, lectures, study and research, and assignments. The basis for awarding credit is consistent with the guidelines of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) [Lauren, Barbara (2006) The Registrar’s Guide: Evolving Best Practices in Records and Registration]. For seven- and eight-week terms, the following guidelines are used for Master’s level course student engagement:
| Credits to be Earned (Semester Credit Hours) | Minimum Hours Per Week 7-Week Course | Minimum Hours Per Week 8-Week Course |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Credit | 7 Hours | 6 Hours |
| 3 Credits | 21 Hours | 18 Hours |
| 6 Credits | 42 Hours | 36 Hours |