/Institutions/Dickinson-State-University/json/2014-2016/Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/Dickinson-State-University/json/2014-2016/Catalog.json

2014-2016 Catalog > Academic Affairs > Credit Hour Assignment Guidelines

Credit Hour Assignment Guidelines

Dickinson State University courses offered for credit are based on semester hours. Semesters are 15 weeks long plus one week for final exams (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 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 .5 to one hour of guided instruction and at least three hours 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. 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. Only 16 Special Topics, Readings credits may apply toward graduation. 

• 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 any specific internship experience. 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.

• Alternative Credit-Earning Options: Alternative credit-earning options provide opportunities to earn academic credit without participating in formal instruction via a regular classroom setting. Credits earned via any “alternative credit” option may not be transferable to another educational institution. Students must be advised of this potential problem at the time that initial discussions take place. NOTE: Before transcripting credit for the following alternative methods of earning academic credit, a student must have earned a minimum of twelve (12) semester hours of credit from Dickinson State University and must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 1.60. All credits will be posted in the term in which the credits are granted. All credits earned through alternative credit-earning options are given S/U grades. Only 30 S/U graded credits may apply toward graduation. For additional information regarding alternative credit-earning options, contact either the Director of Academic Records in May Hall, Room 111 or the Technology Resource and Education Center at (701) 483-2216.
  • Standardized Exams: Dickinson State University has a limited number of academic areas that have approved nationally recognized and standardized exams (AP/IB/CLEP/DSST and NYU Language Proficiency) for specific classes and their assigned credit values. 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. CLEP/DSST tests that are not approved may be taken for Independent Study/Undergraduate Research credit, if approved by the appropriate Department Chair and College Dean. Dickinson State University is a national testing center for students wishing to take CLEP/DSST examinations. CLEP/DSST examinations are computerized and administered as needed. The minimum passing score for CLEP/DSST tests may vary. Some CLEP tests allow for optional essay questions. No essay will 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 regarding approved CLEP/DSST/NYU tests, registration for a test, or about the fees charged, please contact the Academic Success Center. In compliance with NDUS Procedure 403.7.4 – Common Credit By Exam Guidelines, Dickinson State University does not accept General Education CLEP tests. Only 15 CLEP/AP credits may apply toward a four year degree and only eight toward a two year degree.
  • Prior Learning Assessment: Credit may be awarded for past experience which can be directly related to a specific course and its assigned credit value. Documentation, usually in the form of a portfolio, is provided to the appropriate Department Chair. Credit is awarded at the Chair’s discretion. Prior learning Assessment Credit cannot be designated and transcripted under Special Topics, Readings 299/499.
  • Armed Service Credit: Credit may be awarded for armed service training which can be directly related to a specific course and its assigned credit value. Credit is granted based on the recommendations of the American Council on Education’s publications: “Guide to Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services.” Also, two General Education HPER 100 credits will be waived. Further, up to 10 credits of “free elective credit” may be awarded for armed service training without direct relation to any specific course.
  • Evaluated Non-College Coursework Credit: Special Topics, Readings 299/499 Credit may be awarded for educational workshops and/or training that has a direct correlation between the training and the curriculum of a particular program. Credit is award at the Department Chair’s discretion. Only 16 Special Topics, Readings 299/499 credits may apply toward graduation.

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: This technology includes Interactive Video Networks, Blackboard Collaborate, Polycom CMA, and Skype and any other technology that permits synchronous delivery to a group. 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, analyses, 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.  

• Accelerated Courses: These courses are offered in terms that are shorter than the traditional 15 week semester. In addition to the 15 week semester, Dickinson State University typically offers eight week courses and five week courses, although other lengths may be occasionally offered. 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.

Directed Study, Independent Study, Synchronous Distance and Online Fees: Additional fees will be charged for the following category of courses: Directed Study, Independent Study, Synchronous Distance, and Online. This includes an access fee and the per credit tuition above and beyond the flat tuition rate for twelve (12) semester hours and may result in a significant increase in the total tuition billed to the student. Exceptions will be made if the course is a capstone, an undergraduate research project, or an internship. Exceptions will also be made if the course is specifically mandated for graduation within a major and has not been accessible to the student within the previous two years either because it was not offered or because it was in conflict with another mandated course. All students need to check with their faculty advisor or the Director of Academic Records before enrolling in any of these courses. Effective for Fall 2015, Dickinson State University may be moving to a per credit hour tuition model with no tuition capping. Also, all class, course, and access fees may be rolled into tuition and not charged separately. The final decision was not made prior to the printing of this catalog. Please refer to the Dickinson State University website for up-to-date information on tuition and fee charges.