/Institutions/Dickinson-State-University/json/2022-2024/Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/Dickinson-State-University/json/2022-2024/Catalog.json

2022-2024 Catalog > Academic Affairs > Academic Policies > Credit Hour Assignment Guidelines

Credit Hour Assignment Guidelines

Dickinson State University courses offered for credit are based on semester hours. Semesters are 16 weeks long (SBHE 406.1). One hour of direct faculty instruction (i.e., guided instruction) time is defined as no less than 50 minutes of actual class instruction. This is consistent with best practice allowing for breaks between classes. An hour of preparation or related activity outside of the classroom is equivalent to 60 minutes.

Credit Hour Options

• Traditional Lecture/Discussion Courses – Fixed Credit: These courses are given specific names, are listed by program in the Dickinson State University Catalog, and are offered for a fixed number of credits. One credit equals one hour of guided instruction and two hours of out-of-class preparation per week for 15 weeks, plus a final exam period. When a course counts for more than one credit, the hours are multiplied by the number of credits. Students are expected to register for a course and do all of the work for that course during the semester for which they are registered.
• Activities Courses – Fixed Credit: These courses are given specific names, are listed by program in the Dickinson State University Catalog, and are offered for a fixed number of credits. Students are expected to register for a course and do all of the work for that course during the semester for which they are registered.
  • Laboratory Courses:  One credit equals two or three hours of guided instruction and one hour of out-of-class preparation per week for 15 weeks. When a course counts for more than one credit, the hours are multiplied by the number of credits.
  • Nursing Clinicals: One credit equals three hours of guided instruction per week for 15 weeks. When a course counts for more than one credit, the hours are multiplied by the number of credits.
  • Art Studio Courses: One credit equals 1.4 hours of guided instruction and three hours of studio preparation per week for 15 weeks, plus a final exam period. When a course counts for more than one credit, the hours are multiplied by the number of credits.
  • Music Ensembles, Instrumental Methods: One credit equals at least two hours of guided instruction and one hour of out-of-class preparation per week for 15 weeks, plus a final exam period. When a course counts for more than one credit, the hours are multiplied by the number of credits. This is consistent with the National Association of Schools of Music Standard III.A.2.b.
  • Music Applied Lessons: One credit equals one hour of guided instruction and at least three hours of out-of-class preparation per week for 15 weeks. One-half of a credit (0.5) equals a half hour of guided instruction and at least two hours of out-of-class preparation per week for 15 weeks. This is consistent with the National Association of Schools of Music Standard III.A.2.c. 
• Discretionary Courses – Variable Credit: These courses are available in all programs and allow instructors and programs to develop and offer unique courses. They are usually taught with the credit hour expectations of traditional courses in which one credit equals one hour of guided instruction and two hours of out-of-class preparation per week for 15 weeks, plus a final exam period. When inherently activity oriented, they may follow the expectations of activities courses in which, for one credit, the ratio between guided instruction and out-of-class preparation can vary, but must add up to at least three hours per week for 15 weeks. For activity-oriented classes, the final exam period is optional. Students are expected to register for a course and do all of the work for that course during the semester for which they are registered.     
  • Seminar: Often considered a capstone, variable credit from one to six.
  • Experimental Course: A course designation used to test a potential permanent course, variable credit from one to four.
  • Special Topics, Readings: Variable credit from one to six.  
• Activities Courses – Variable Credit: These courses are available in all programs and allow for various types of activities courses. They all require some initial instructor guidance followed by regularly scheduled conferences with or supervision by the instructor and periodic and final evaluation by the instructor. One credit equals the average amount of that guided instruction per week plus enough out-of-class activities to total three hours per week for 15 weeks. These activities must be relevant to the learning outcomes of the course. A final exam period is optional. These courses allow for variable credit from one to six. Students are expected to register for a course and do all of the work for that course during the semester for which they are registered.  
  • Peer Tutoring: Activities that contribute to credit hour computation should involve training and experience at assisting success at learning in a one-on-one or small group context. A maximum of eight (8) semester hours of Peer Tutoring credit may be used to fulfill graduation requirements. Service Learning is graded S/U.
  • Independent Study/Undergraduate Research: Activities that contribute to credit hour computation should involve in-depth study through systematic reading, research, field observations, experiments, analysis, writing, etc. These are typically offered Directed Study (see below) and research projects require the approval of the appropriate department chair. 
  • Service Learning: Activities that contribute to credit hour computation should involve participation in an organized service activity that meets identified on- or off-campus community needs and reflection on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of social issues and civic responsibility. A maximum of twelve (12) semester hours of Service Learning credit may be used to fulfill graduation requirements. Service Learning is graded S/U.
  • Study Tours: Activities that contribute to credit hour computation may include guest lectures; discussions with guides, local residents, faculty or students at partner institutions or other relevant individuals; museum, clinic, business, government building, or other site visits; cultural excursions and performances; as well as course meetings, readings, writing, or production of creative work, etc.
  • Internship, Externship, Cooperative Education: Activities that contribute to credit hour computation should involve paid or unpaid on-the-job training. From one to six credits may be earned during most specific internship experiences. ACCT 497 and BADM 497 allow one to twelve credits to be earned. A maximum of twelve (12) semester hours of internship credit may be used to fulfill graduation requirements. Students should visit with their academic advisor and the appropriate department chairperson regarding internships. 
• Directed Studies: These offer a specific course to an individual student who, because of scheduling issues, cannot take it through one of the other delivery options. A Directed Study can be traditional, activity-oriented, discretionary, fixed credit or variable credit course. Instructors are under no obligation to offer Directed Studies, but may entertain requests to do so. The instructor of the course should alter the usual syllabus to require some initial instructor guidance followed by regularly scheduled conferences with the instructor and periodic and final evaluation by the instructor. One credit equals the average amount of that guided instruction per week plus enough out-of-class activities to total three hours per week for 15 weeks. A final exam period is optional.
• Competency Based Credit-Earning Options: These options provide opportunities to earn academic credit without participating in formal instruction via a regular classroom setting. Credits earned via any “competency based” option may not be transferable to another educational institution. Credits will be posted in the term in which the credits are granted. Credits earned through alternative credit-earning options are given S/U grades. Only 30 total Competency Based credits may apply toward graduation with a Bachelor's degree and 15 total may apply toward graduation with an Associate's degree. No Competency Based credits may be used toward the 30 total credits that must be earned at DSU for graduation. Students may not apply for Competency Based Credit-earning options for a course that was previously attempted or taken (appearing on the transcript as W, F or other letter grade). For additional information regarding Competency Based Credit-Earning Options, Contact the Director of Academic Records in May Hall, Room 111.
  • Standardized Exams: DSU accepts NDUS approved nationally recognized and standardized exams (AP/IB/CLEP/DSST) for specific classes and their assigned credit values. Students must document achievement of the approved minimum score and must have matriculated to DSU and be in good standing before credit can be posted to their DSU transcript. See Credit by exam for the list of approved exams. AP (Advanced Placement) and IB (International Baccalaureate) exams are given in high schools. Note: IB exams must be at the higher (HL) level. CLEP/DSST examinations are computerized and administered as needed. CLEP/DSST subject examinations may not be taken to establish credit for a course in which a student has earned credit in a higher level sequential course, or in a subject the student has previously failed. Some CLEP tests allow for optional essay questions. Essay will not be evaluated or graded unless the minimum passing score is obtained on the objective portion of the test. An examination fee is paid directly to CLEP/DSST and there may be an administrative fee required for the computer-based testing. If there are questions, please contact the DSU Office of Academic Records. AP/IB/CLEP/DSST tests that are not NDUS approved may be taken for Independent Study/Undergraduate Research credit, if approved by the appropriate Department Chair and College Dean. AP/IB/CLEP/DSST tests may not be used to satisfy residence-credit requirements for graduation.
  • Challenge Exam: A special course challenge exam is available for CSCI 101 - Introduction to Computers. The exam is only permitted if the student has no previous record of registration for the course. Approval to take the exam must be obtained from the academic advisor, the instructor of the course, and the Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. The exam will be administered by the DSU SOAR Center. Upon successful completion of the exam, students will pay a recording fee to have CSCI 101 posted on their transcript. Unsuccessful attempts at the exam will not be recorded.
  • Foreign Language Requirement Exemption: A Competency Based Credit-Earning Option that is specific to the BA Foreign Language Requirement provides students who have prior learning in a language with alternatives to complete the requirement. Students must have matriculated to DSU and be in good standing to apply for any of these alternatives. International Students whose languages are other than English receive an automatic waiver of the Bachelor of Arts foreign language requirements but are subject to TOEFL requirements. These students must still complete the minimum credit required in any relevant programs and the minimum credit required for graduation. International students whose language is English and domestic students who enter Dickinson State University as native or near-native speakers of languages other than English, or students with undocumented foreign language proficiency may pursue the following alternatives to secure an exemption from all or part of the requirement.
    1. Provide the Office of Academic Records with a transcript for graduation from a non-English speaking High School or College from a country other than the U.S. This alternative results in a waiver of the requirement. Students who secure a waiver still must complete the minimum number of credits in relevant programs and the minimum number of credits required for graduation.
    2. Arrange with the Testing Center to take one of the two approved proficiency exams: either NYU Language Proficiency Test, which can certify proficiency for up to 16 credit hours and completion of the 202 level; or a CLEP Foreign Language Exam, which can certify proficiency for up to 8 credits hours and completion of the 102 level. There are fees associated with both of these exams. (This alternative automatically transcripts the certified hours of language credit).
  • Prior Learning Assessment:  Credit may be awarded for past experience which can be directly related to a specific course, its learning outcomes and its assigned credit value. Students must have matriculated to DSU and be in good standing to apply. Documentation, usually in the form of a portfolio, is provided to the appropriate Department Chair. Credit is awarded through enrollment in the UNIV 200 course and use of the Request for Prior Learning Assessment Form. Prior Learning Assessment Credit cannot be designated and transcripted under catalog numbers 292/492 or 299/499. A per credit recording fee will be charged.
  • Evaluated Non-College Coursework Credit: Credit may be awarded through use of published credit recommendations for formal instructional programs offered by non-collegiate agencies, especially the U.S. military. GERTA and/or the American Council on Education (Guide to Evaluation of Education Experiences in the Armed Services on the ACE website) provide equivalencies between U.S. military training and specific college courses. These courses are recorded to the transcript without charge. Additionally, up to 10 credits of "free elective credit" may be awarded for U.S. armed services training without direct relation to any specific course. Department Chairs can assist in assigning an appropriate prefix. Catalog numbers 292/492 or 299/499 are usually appropriate. Also, HPER 100 will be waived for U.S. military personnel or veterans. Published and authorized equivalencies between military training in other countries or civilian instructional programs and specific college courses must be available for such instruction to be granted credit. Credit gained through military training in other countries or civilian instruction must pay a fee to record the class on the transcript. Documentation of completed training, whether military or civilian, is required. 

Delivery Options

• Face-to-Face Courses: These courses provide guided instruction in synchronous and live environments. All activities when the instructor and student are face-to-face during the regularly scheduled class time are considered guided instruction. All activities other than those are considered student preparation. Depending on whether the course is traditional, activity-oriented, discretionary, fixed credit or variable credit, the appropriate guidelines above apply.
• Synchronous Distance Courses: Technology includes learning management systems supported by the North Dakota University System. Although guided instruction may be mediated through some technology, the delivery is synchronous and face-to-face interaction is established. All activities when the instructor and student are face-to-face during the regularly scheduled class time are considered guided instruction. All activities other than those are considered student preparation. Depending on whether the course is traditional, activity-oriented, discretionary, fixed credit or variable credit, the appropriate guidelines above apply.
• Online Courses: These courses are offered entirely online and are primarily asynchronous. However, students are expected to be engaged in guided instruction through means which include online reading of course syllabi, assignment sheets, power points, lecture or textbook notes, linked documents, discussion posts, or emails from the instructor or peers; online writing of discussion posts, assessments, analysis, emails to the instructor or peers; taking exams; listening to or watching recorded lectures or linked audio or video files; engaging with an interactive tutorial or computer-assisted instruction; presenting to or listening to peers; participating in virtual small group projects or study efforts; and in any other way interacting with the faculty member and/or class members regarding the academic subject of the course. Some of these means may add synchronous components to primarily asynchronous courses. Departments must document through syllabi that they are meeting the minimum credit hour requirement for the credit awarded. Depending on whether the course is traditional, activity-oriented, discretionary, fixed credit or variable credit, the appropriate guidelines above apply.
• Hybrid Face-to-Face and Online Courses (sometimes referred to as blended courses): These courses deliver portions of their content face-to-face and portions of their content online. (As little as 1/4 or as much as 3/4 of the face-to-face classroom instruction will be replaced with online instructional methods.) Still, the appropriate number of hours of guided instruction, be they face-to-face or online or some combination of the two, must be included in the class. Departments must document through syllabi that they are meeting the minimum credit hour requirement for the credit awarded. Depending on whether the course is traditional, activity-oriented, discretionary, fixed credit or variable credit, the appropriate guidelines above apply.  
• DSUlive Courses: Students enrolled in these courses are able to choose to attend class synchronously via a live video session or asynchronously by watching recorded lecture videos at a later time with pre-approved instructor permission. Instructors will use Blackboard for distribution and collection of all course materials, discussion threads, and assessment activities. DSUlive sections may be offered in conjunction with face-to-face courses.    
• Accelerated Courses: These courses are offered in terms that are shorter than the traditional 16-week semester. These all must meet the same guided instruction and out-of-class hour requirements as courses offered as traditional semester-length classes. Depending on whether the course is traditional, activity-oriented, discretionary, fixed credit or variable credit, the appropriate guidelines above apply.