Printed on: 04/13/2021. Please go to http://policy.umn.edu for the most current version of the Policy or related document.

Administrative Policy

Instructional Time per Course Credit: Twin Cities, Crookston, Morris, Rochester

Responsible University Officer(s):

Executive Vice President and Provost

Policy Owner(s):

Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education

Policy contact(s):

Jessica Kuecker Grotjohn

Date Revised:

Apr 1, 2016

Effective Date:

Apr 15, 2009

Policy Statement

This policy guides academic units in scheduling the instructional time for a specified number of course credits. Instructional time expectations per credit do not vary with the method(s) of delivery of the course or with the length of the academic term.

For all enrollment periods and for all courses, the hours of instructional time for a course must equal at least the number of credits for the course times the number of weeks the course is offered during the full academic term.
Instructional time is defined for these purposes as instruction by the instructor(s) assigned to the class as scheduled by the academic department. Instructional time does not include office hours or casual or informal time spent with students.
Course proposals must include information regarding instructional time. Proposals must provide significant evidence to justify a schedule that includes fewer total instructional hours than the standard defined in paragraph (1.). Instructional hours of all types equal to or in excess of the standard defined in paragraph (1.) need not be justified.
When reviewing a course proposal, college and campus curriculum committees and other approving bodies (e.g., the Council on Liberal Education) must consider the instructional hours in reaching a decision on whether to approve a proposed course; such bodies should normally reject course proposals that have fewer instructional hours than the standard defined in paragraph (1.), barring significant evidence that reduced instructional contact hours are appropriate. In their review, these bodies will also take into consideration the method(s) of delivery of the course (e.g., traditional classroom setting, various distance education delivery methods).
Courses for individualized instruction such as directed study, directed readings, directed research, and internships, which require a written contract outlining the responsibilities of the student for the course, are explicitly exempted from this standard, and may have fewer instructional hours per week than the standard.

Exclusions

This policy is not applicable to the Duluth campus.

Reason for Policy

Instructional time per course credit is defined to provide a consistent minimum expectation for students and faculty. Students and faculty should know in general what time commitment is involved for a specified number of course credits. This policy implements criteria and requirements for accreditation established by the Higher Learning Commission and compliance with the federal definition of a “credit hour” for financial aid eligibility.

Procedures

Forms/Instructions

Appendices

Frequently Asked Questions

Contacts

Subject	Contact	Phone	Email
Primary Contact(s)	Jessica Kuecker Grotjohn	612-624-1328	jkuecker@umn.edu
Twin Cities Campus Procedures	Stacey Tidball	612-626-0075	tidball@umn.edu
Crookston Campus Procedures	Jason Tangquist	218-281-8424	jtangqui@crk.umn.edu
Morris Campus Procedures	Janet Ericksen	320-589-6015	ericksja@morris.umn.edu
Rochester Campus Procedures	Jeffrey Ratliff-Crain	507-258-8006	ratliffj@r.umn.edu

Definitions

Instructional time: Scheduled instruction/teaching by an individual appointed for that purpose.

Responsibilities

Collegiate and campus curriculum committees: Review proposed courses in light of conformance with policy; assess the appropriateness of proposed instructional hours. When proposed instructional hours vary from the standard, assess the type of course, and the proposed delivery method.
Academic Departments: Follow the established policy for instructional time per course credit when scheduling courses.

Related Information

Administrative Policy: Academic Unit Authority over the Curriculum and Major: Twin Cities, Crookston, Morris, Rochester
Administrative Policy: Expected Student Academic Work per Credit: Twin Cities, Crookston, Morris, Rochester
Administrative Policy: Class Scheduling: Twin Cities, Crookston, Morris, Rochester
Administrative Policy: Directed Study, Directed Readings, and Directed Research Courses: Twin Cities, Crookston, Morris, Rochester
Higher Learning Commission, Criteria and Requirements for Accreditation

History

Amended:: April 2016 - Comprehensive Review. Major Revision. Simplifies language for clarity and removes repetitive language. Adds language in paragraph three to include the need for significant evident to justify proposals with fewer than normal instructional hours. Clarifies the section on individualized instruction to address policy questions regarding these courses.
Amended:: July 2014 - Minor Revision. Primary Contact updated, Statement clarified. Added FAQ, and clarified that instructional time does not vary with the method(s) of delivery or the length of the academic term. Added the following sentence to Reason: "This policy also implements criteria and requirements for accreditation established by the Higher Learning Commission."
Amended:: April 2013 - Minor Revision. In Policy Statement, 4 and 5 updated to policy address distance education course delivery. Added definitions, responsibilities, FAQ and Related Information.
Amended:: December 2009 - Policy now applies to Crookston.
Amended:: April 2009 - Clarified policy and put in standard format.
Effective:: April 2009