Definition of a Credit Hour at FIDM

A credit hour is the amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement. It is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom, course website, or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately ten weeks for one quarter unit of credit.

Lecture Course

• 1 credit = 1 hour per week (2 hours outside preparation)
• 2 credits = 2 hours per week (4 hours outside preparation)
• 3 credits = 3 hours per week (6 hours outside preparation)

Lab Course (these are 3-unit courses)

• 3 credits = 2 hours lecture and 4 hours lab

Studio Course (these are 6-unit courses)

• 6 credits = 4 hours lecture and 8 hours studio

Internships

• 3 units of credit for 80-100 hours at an institutionally approved internship site