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Credit Hour Definition and Length of Semester Policy

Approved by Mercy College Board of Trustees, November 2021

As required in the Higher Education Reauthorization Act of 2011, Mercy College of Ohio has adopted the following policy regarding credit hour definition.

Credit hour: Except as provided in 34 CFR 668.8(k) and (l), a credit hour 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 fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount 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, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

In addition, Mercy College of Ohio has adopted the credit hour guidelines by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (formerly the Ohio Board of Regents), as specifically defined in the procedures that follow.

Mercy College of Ohio holds accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and follows the rules and guidelines set forth by this agency and the United States Department of Education.