Credit Hour Policy

The credit hour is an amount of academic work represented in intended learning outcomes established by federal regulations to ensure equivalency among accredited institutions of higher learning. It represents both time spent in classroom or direct faculty instruction and the minimum amount of out-of-class student work needed to achieve the learning outcomes identified for a course.

Meridian’s definition of the Credit Hour is consistent with 34 CFR §600.2 and WSCUC Credit Hour Policy. The University’s definition reads as follows:

“The amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that 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 ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time.”

The online classroom includes listening to or viewing online presentations, participating in weekly Live class sessions or viewing recorded classes, engaging in group discussion forums, preparing weekly written assignments, and engaging related out-of-class student work such as required readings, conducting research for student presentations, participating in directed small group engagement and the weekly write-up of this engagement, and completing the cumulative writing assignment. This practice is consistent with master’s and doctoral-level expectations and fulfills the educational objectives recognized throughout the institution.

A credit hour is assumed to be a 50-minute period. In courses in which “seat time” does not apply, a credit hour may be measured by an equivalent amount of student work as demonstrated by student achievement.

Periodic Review of Course Alignment with the Credit Hour Policy

All new courses are reviewed and approved by the Curriculum Committee, for compliance with the Credit Hour Policy.

Review of the Credit Hour Policy and its application occurs as part of the annual program review process, ensuring consistency between credit allocation, instructional design, and learning outcomes across all programs and modalities. Meridian’s credit hour policy is benchmarked against the California State University system’s policy and like the Cal State system, draws from WSCUC’s Credit Hour policy.

Rev. 12.1.25