Purpose

This policy outlines and sets forth the definitions and rationale by which academic credit hours are determined and assigned to various instructional and learning activities at Lindenwood. This policy is consistent with both federal and accreditor definitions, calculations, and expectations for credit hours and applies to University classes and programs.

Scope

This policy applies to all credit-bearing academic programming at Lindenwood.

Policy

Definitions

Lindenwood defines a credit hour as ―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—

• 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, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours. (34 CFR §

600.2)

Instruction is defined as classroom instruction, direct faculty instruction, or ―regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor (34 CFR § 600.2), including the administration of quizzes, tests, or examinations.

Student work is defined as assignments, homework, and other academic activities required to be completed outside of instructional time, including reading, studying, writing, research, etc.

Other academic activities is defined as laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement.

Earning Credit through Courses

Lindenwood University uses various course delivery formats and terms of varying length to provide for

the educational needs of our traditional and adult students. Course delivery formats include on-campus/in- person, online, hybrid, practica, internships, and individualized study. Terms include semester, quarter, 5- term, 8-week, J-term, summer, late start, and other equivalent periods of study.

Regardless of term or level (i.e., 00000-70000), one credit hour is assigned to

• an on-campus/in-person course that includes a minimum of 12.5 clock hours of instruction and 25 clock hours of student work,
• an online or hybrid course with an equivalent amount of instruction and student work leading to equivalent learning outcomes for the same/similar course offered on-campus/in-person,
• a minimum of 30 clock hours of supervised laboratory work, studio work, practica, or internship and 7.5 clock hours of student work,
• a minimum of 37.5 clock hours of supervised laboratory work, studio work, practica, or internship,
• a minimum of 37.5 clock hours of individualized study under the direct supervision of an instructor (e.g., thesis, private music lessons, tutorial).
• a nursing clinical course with a minimum of 42 clock hours of student work per term.

Credit assignments are established through the University‘s approval processes and determined by intended learning outcomes that could be reasonably achieved within the context—instructional time, student work time, term(s), and format(s)—of the course.

Credit assigned to a course is awarded after intended learning outcomes are verified by evidence of student achievement.

Course Credit Hour Compliance

Course syllabi detail investments of time for instruction and student work or other academic activities. If a course does not meet the minimum time requirements, the Associate Provost and/or School Dean will

work with the Department Chair to make the appropriate adjustments. Review of credit hour compliance is also a part of regular program reviews.

Earning Credit through Other Academic Work

One credit hour may be awarded to a minimum of 37.5 clock hours of other academic work leading to intended learning outcomes that are (a) verified by evidence of student achievement and (b) approved by the designated University official(s). Examples include business seminars, community affairs, and

professional certifications.

Earning Credit by Examination

External Examination (CLEP or DANTES)

Students may earn up to 27 hours of undergraduate credit by successfully completing a College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam or a DANTES standardized test. Credit is granted for these exams based upon the scoring recommendations set by the College Board Assessment Program.

Students with CLEP or DANTES credit should consult with the Lindenwood registrar to determine whether their achievement on the exam(s) qualify them to earn university credit. Notes:

(1) Students may not use CLEP or DANTES credit in the place of the following requirements or courses: student teaching, internships, studio courses, laboratory courses, or private music lessons.

(2) Students may not receive credit for courses they have previously audited or attended unofficially.

(3) CLEP credit will not be awarded to non-native English speaking students who complete a CLEP exam in their native language. (4) Lindenwood University does not currently administer College Board Examinations; the student must arrange to have test results sent directly to Lindenwood for evaluation

Students who pass a CLEP/DANTES proficiency examination have two options when applying for credit. The student may request that the test score be used to waive an equivalent course at the University. In this case, no credit is awarded to the student, and no credit is posted on the student‘s transcript. A waived course applies no credit toward graduation. (A note will appear on the student‘s transcript for advising purposes, indicating that a course has been waived.) There is no additional cost for a course to be waived.

Alternatively, the student may request that the exam score be posted to his or her transcript as university credit, for a fee of $90 per credit hour. In this case, the credit applies toward the total number of credit hours required for graduation and becomes equivalent to a course taken at Lindenwood.

Notes:

(1) This fee is subject to change. Please consult the fee schedule for current rates.

(2) The charge for the posting of credit for a proficiency examination is a flat rate. It may not be included in the student’s full-time tuition or any other enrollment charge nor will the student be charged an overload fee.

Internal Examination

In addition to the standardized CLEP/DANTES exams described above, students may seek credit for (or waiver) university coursework by means of taking and passing internally administered proficiency exams. Students should approach their respective departments to learn more about the proficiency exams that have been created for this purpose within their schools. As in the case of CLEP/DANTES credit, a student who passes an internally administered proficiency exam may (1) request to have the course waived, in which case, no credit will be granted or (2) request credit for the exam and have the appropriate credit posted to his or her transcript for a per credit hour fee. In this case, the student‘s cumulative grade point average is not affected in this case because only credit (no grade) is recorded for a course completed in this manner.

Earning Credit through Accelerated Programs

Lindenwood‘s accelerated degree programs provide flexible modes of study for students who meet the admission requirements. Course credit is awarded for mastery of student learning outcomes. Mastery is verified by evidence of student achievement developed and evaluated in accordance with standards generally accepted as good practice within the discipline.