Credit (education)
Encyclopedia
A course credit is a unit that gives weighting to the value, level or time requirements of an academic course
taken at a school
or other education
al institution.
, a student in a high school
or university
earns credits for the successful completion of each course
for each academic term
. The state or the institution generally sets a minimum number of credits required to graduate
. Various systems of credits exist: one per course, one per hour/week in class, one per hour/week devoted to the course (including homework
), etc.
In high school
s, where all courses are usually the same number of hours, often meeting every day, student
s often get a half credit per course per semester. This is formally known as a Carnegie Unit. After a typical four-year run, the student needs 21 to 24 credits to graduate
(an average of 5 1/4 to 6 courses per quarter). Some U.S. state
s have only three years, with 16 to 18 credits required.
In college
, students typically receive credit based on the number of "lecture
hours" per week in class, for one term; formally, Student Hours.
Students are generally expected to spend another two to three hours outside class studying and doing homework
for every hour spent in class. Credit for laboratory courses is usually less than for lecture - typically one credit for every two to three hours spent in lab. This is usually based on the amount of instruction necessary prior to lab.
Because different academic term
s have a different number of weeks, this makes transfer credit
s more difficult. This is also a problem at schools which the board of regents
has forced from quarters to semesters, such as the University System of Georgia
and others. If a year of physics
(for example) is required at two schools, and a student with one semester of it transfers to a quarter-based school, he will repeat the last five weeks of the Physics I semester during the first five weeks of the Physics II quarter. In both secondary and post-secondary schools, an "hour" is usually considered to be 50 minutes rather than 60, with the other 10 minutes being considered a break
. (However, grade-school students often have less than 10 minutes between most classes, and more than 10 once in the morning and once in the afternoon.) Colleges may "compress" this time out of the schedule, such that a single three-hour class would run for 2½ hours.
To figure a grade-point average (GPA), the grade
received in each course is subject to weighting
, by multiply
ing it by the number of credit hours. Thus, a "B" (three grade points) in a four-credit class yields 12 "quality points". It is these which are added together, then divided by the total number of credits a student has taken, to get the GPA. Transfer credits may not be counted in the GPA.
Some courses may require a grade higher than that which is considered passing. In this case, a grade of "D" will still add to the total number of credits earned (unlike an "F"), but the course will not be counted toward graduation requirements until it is retaken and completed with at least a "C".
Credit by examination is a way of receiving course credit without taking the course. This grade often shows as a "K" on a transcript
, however it carries no credit hours, and therefore has no effect on the GPA. This also means that a student often must take other classes instead, to meet minimum hour requirements. (This still benefits the student, because he or she can learn something new and useful, instead of repeating what is already known.)
Various types of student aid require students to take and complete a minimum number of course credits each term. Schools often require a minimum number or percentage of credits be taken at the school to qualify for a diploma
from that school—this is known as a residency requirement.
Many schools set a flat rate
for full-time students, such that a student taking over 12 credit hours will pay the same amount as a student taking exactly 12. A part-time student is usually one taking less than 12 hours, and he or she pays per credit hour, on top of matriculation
and student fees which are fixed.
a common credit system has been introduced. The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
(ECTS) is in some European countries used as the principal credit and grading system in universities, while other countries use the ECTS as a secondary credit system for exchange students. In ECTS, a full study-year normally consists of 60 credits. ECTS grades
are given in the A-E range, where F is failing. Schools are also allowed to use a pass/fail evaluation in the ECTS system.
Similar systems are widely used elsewhere. Often the word "unit" is used for the same concept.
Course (education)
The very broad dictionary meaning of the word course is the act or action of moving in a path from point to point . There are multiple meanings for this word, some of which include: general line of orientation, a mode of action, part of a meal, a mode of action, and many more. This article focuses...
taken at a school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
or other education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
al institution.
United States
In the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, a student in a high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
or university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
earns credits for the successful completion of each course
Course (education)
The very broad dictionary meaning of the word course is the act or action of moving in a path from point to point . There are multiple meanings for this word, some of which include: general line of orientation, a mode of action, part of a meal, a mode of action, and many more. This article focuses...
for each academic term
Academic term
An academic term is a division of an academic year, the time during which a school, college or university holds classes. These divisions may be called terms...
. The state or the institution generally sets a minimum number of credits required to graduate
Graduation
Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the ceremony that is sometimes associated, where students become Graduates. Before the graduation, candidates are referred to as Graduands. The date of graduation is often called degree day. The graduation itself is also...
. Various systems of credits exist: one per course, one per hour/week in class, one per hour/week devoted to the course (including homework
Homework
Homework, or homework assignment, refers to tasks assigned to students by their teachers to be completed outside of class. Common homework assignments may include a quantity or period of reading to be performed, writing or typing to be completed, problems to be solved, a school project to be built...
), etc.
In high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
s, where all courses are usually the same number of hours, often meeting every day, student
Student
A student is a learner, or someone who attends an educational institution. In some nations, the English term is reserved for those who attend university, while a schoolchild under the age of eighteen is called a pupil in English...
s often get a half credit per course per semester. This is formally known as a Carnegie Unit. After a typical four-year run, the student needs 21 to 24 credits to graduate
Graduation
Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the ceremony that is sometimes associated, where students become Graduates. Before the graduation, candidates are referred to as Graduands. The date of graduation is often called degree day. The graduation itself is also...
(an average of 5 1/4 to 6 courses per quarter). Some U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
s have only three years, with 16 to 18 credits required.
In college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
, students typically receive credit based on the number of "lecture
Lecture
thumb|A lecture on [[linear algebra]] at the [[Helsinki University of Technology]]A lecture is an oral presentation intended to present information or teach people about a particular subject, for example by a university or college teacher. Lectures are used to convey critical information, history,...
hours" per week in class, for one term; formally, Student Hours.
Students are generally expected to spend another two to three hours outside class studying and doing homework
Homework
Homework, or homework assignment, refers to tasks assigned to students by their teachers to be completed outside of class. Common homework assignments may include a quantity or period of reading to be performed, writing or typing to be completed, problems to be solved, a school project to be built...
for every hour spent in class. Credit for laboratory courses is usually less than for lecture - typically one credit for every two to three hours spent in lab. This is usually based on the amount of instruction necessary prior to lab.
Because different academic term
Academic term
An academic term is a division of an academic year, the time during which a school, college or university holds classes. These divisions may be called terms...
s have a different number of weeks, this makes transfer credit
Transfer credit
Transfer credit, credit transfer, or advanced standing are the terms used by colleges and universities for the procedure of granting credit to a student for educational experiences or courses undertaken at another institution....
s more difficult. This is also a problem at schools which the board of regents
Board of Regents
In the United States, a board often governs public institutions of higher education, which include both state universities and community colleges. In each US state, such boards may govern either the state university system, individual colleges and universities, or both. In general they operate as...
has forced from quarters to semesters, such as the University System of Georgia
University System of Georgia
The University System of Georgia is the organizational body that includes 35 public institutions of higher learning in the U.S. state of Georgia. The System is governed by the Georgia Board of Regents. It sets goals and dictates general policy to educational institutions as well as administering...
and others. If a year of physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
(for example) is required at two schools, and a student with one semester of it transfers to a quarter-based school, he will repeat the last five weeks of the Physics I semester during the first five weeks of the Physics II quarter. In both secondary and post-secondary schools, an "hour" is usually considered to be 50 minutes rather than 60, with the other 10 minutes being considered a break
Break
Break may refer to:* Break * Recess , a general term for a period of time in which a group of people is temporarily dismissed from its duties* Break , time off during a shift...
. (However, grade-school students often have less than 10 minutes between most classes, and more than 10 once in the morning and once in the afternoon.) Colleges may "compress" this time out of the schedule, such that a single three-hour class would run for 2½ hours.
To figure a grade-point average (GPA), the grade
Grade (education)
Grades are standardized measurements of varying levels of comprehension within a subject area. Grades can be assigned in letters , as a range , as a number out of a possible total , as descriptors , in percentages, or, as is common in some post-secondary...
received in each course is subject to weighting
Weighting
The process of weighting involves emphasizing the contribution of some aspects of a phenomenon to a final effect or result — giving them 'more weight' in the analysis. That is, rather than each variable in the data contributing equally to the final result, some data are adjusted to contribute...
, by multiply
Multiply
Multiply is a social networking service with an emphasis on allowing users to share media – such as photos, videos and blog entries – with their "real-world" network...
ing it by the number of credit hours. Thus, a "B" (three grade points) in a four-credit class yields 12 "quality points". It is these which are added together, then divided by the total number of credits a student has taken, to get the GPA. Transfer credits may not be counted in the GPA.
Some courses may require a grade higher than that which is considered passing. In this case, a grade of "D" will still add to the total number of credits earned (unlike an "F"), but the course will not be counted toward graduation requirements until it is retaken and completed with at least a "C".
Credit by examination is a way of receiving course credit without taking the course. This grade often shows as a "K" on a transcript
Transcript (education)
In education, a transcript is an inventory of the courses taken and grades earned of a student throughout a course.- United States :In United States education, a transcript is a copy of a student's permanent academic record which usually means all courses taken, all grades received, all...
, however it carries no credit hours, and therefore has no effect on the GPA. This also means that a student often must take other classes instead, to meet minimum hour requirements. (This still benefits the student, because he or she can learn something new and useful, instead of repeating what is already known.)
Various types of student aid require students to take and complete a minimum number of course credits each term. Schools often require a minimum number or percentage of credits be taken at the school to qualify for a diploma
Diploma
A diploma is a certificate or deed issued by an educational institution, such as a university, that testifies that the recipient has successfully completed a particular course of study or confers an academic degree. In countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia, the word diploma refers to...
from that school—this is known as a residency requirement.
Many schools set a flat rate
Flat rate
A flat fee, also referred to as a flat rate or a linear rate, refers to a pricing structure that charges a single fixed fee for a service, regardless of usage. Rarely, it may refer to a rate that does not vary with usage or time of use...
for full-time students, such that a student taking over 12 credit hours will pay the same amount as a student taking exactly 12. A part-time student is usually one taking less than 12 hours, and he or she pays per credit hour, on top of matriculation
Matriculation
Matriculation, in the broadest sense, means to be registered or added to a list, from the Latin matricula – little list. In Scottish heraldry, for instance, a matriculation is a registration of armorial bearings...
and student fees which are fixed.
Europe
In EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
a common credit system has been introduced. The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
This page describes ECTS-credits. For information about the ECTS grading system go to ECTS grading scale.European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System is a standard for comparing the study attainment and performance of students of higher education across the European Union and other...
(ECTS) is in some European countries used as the principal credit and grading system in universities, while other countries use the ECTS as a secondary credit system for exchange students. In ECTS, a full study-year normally consists of 60 credits. ECTS grades
ECTS grading scale
The ECTS grading scale is a grading system defined in the ECTS framework by the European Commission. Since many different grading systems co-exist in Europe, and considering that interpretation of grades varies considerably from one country to another, if not from one institution to another, the...
are given in the A-E range, where F is failing. Schools are also allowed to use a pass/fail evaluation in the ECTS system.
Similar systems are widely used elsewhere. Often the word "unit" is used for the same concept.
Latin America
In Uruguay's University of the Republic, a credit stands for 15 hours of work, including classes, personaly studiying and task activities. Since semesters last 15 weeks, a credit corresponds to one hour of work a week.See also
- Carnegie Unit and Student HourCarnegie Unit and Student HourThe Carnegie Unit and the Student Hour are strictly time-based references for measuring educational attainment used by American universities and colleges; the Carnegie Unit assesses secondary school attainment, and the Student Hour, derived from the Carnegie Unit, assesses collegiate...
- National Qualifications Framework for England, Wales and Northern IrelandNational Qualifications FrameworkThe National Qualifications Framework is a credit transfer system developed for qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland....
- Scottish Credit and Qualifications FrameworkScottish Credit and Qualifications FrameworkThe Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework is the national credit transfer system for all levels of qualifications in Scotland...