Unit of Credit

Recent changes in federal regulations now require that the University monitor compliance with federal rules concerning the amount of work required for a unit of credit.This policy requires that an amount of work for each unit of credit be institutionally established, represented in intended learning outcomes, and verified by evidence of student achievement.

Stanford's Existing Policy

Stanford's long-standing policy, which is in compliance with the federal definition, is published in the Stanford Bulletin, and states that every unit for which credit is given is understood to represent approximately three hours of actual work per week for the average student. This policy is in compliance with federal regulations.

Federal Definition of a Unit of Credit

Federal regulations regarding the definition and assignment of credit hours under Section 600.2 and 600.24(f) of the Higher Education Opportunity Act now state, in part, that a unit of credit is:

"An amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:

1. One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately ... ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit or the equivalent amount of work over a different period of time; or
2. At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.”

University Responsibilities

The University's accrediting agency, WASC (Western Association of Schools of Colleges) will monitor our progress in developing assessment techniques and reporting strategies to fulfill this requirement. Specifically, WASC requires that the University:

• Adopt and apply policy on credit hour consistent with federal definition
• Implement process for assuring “reliability and accuracy” of assignment of credit hours across all credit bearing activities
• Incorporate credit hour review into comprehensive self-study requirements

Schools, departments, and faculty are requested to prepare to comply with this policy. We recommend that you begin by including expected amount of work information on your syllabus and in your CourseWork site for each course that you teach.

WASC's Responsibilities

WASC is responsible under the new federal regulations to:

• Adopt policy and procedure for review of institutional responsibilities
• Demonstrate that a review of credit hours is reflected in institutional self-studies and comprehensive team reports
• Determine that credit hour assignments “conform to commonly accepted practice in higher education”
• Optionally use sampling of course credit hour assignments
• Require corrections of deficiencies
• Promptly notify the Secretary of Education if systemic noncompliance is found, or significant noncompliance with one or more programs

What's Next

The Registrar's Office, committees of the Academic Senate, and other responsible offices are working to provide tools and guidance to assist in complying with the federal regulations. We will keep you informed through this web site and other communications about the progress of these efforts and how you may assist the University in discharging its responsiblities.

Resources

• Registrar Office's presentation about new federal regulations about units of credit (1.2 Mb)
• WASC's Draft Policy on Credit Hour (16 Kb)
• Materials from an April 2011 WASC webinar on federal regulations concerning unit of credit