Expected Student Academic Work per Credit: Twin Cities, Crookston, Morris, Rochester

Workload expectations in this policy are an estimate of the amount of work needed for an average student to earn an average grade.  Course grades are based on the quality of the work submitted, not on hours of effort (as provided in Administrative Policy: Grading and Transcripts: Twin Cities, Crookston, Morris, Rochester).  Workload expectations per credit do not vary with the method of delivery of the course or the length of the academic term.

A. Undergraduate Courses

1. Student workload expectations per undergraduate credit. For fall or spring semester, one credit represents, for the average University undergraduate student, three hours of academic work per week (including lectures, laboratories, recitations, discussion groups, field work, study, and so on), averaged over the semester, in order to complete the work of the course to achieve an average grade. One credit equals 42 to 45 hours of work over the course of the semester (1 credit x 3 hours of work per week x 14 or 15 weeks in a semester equals 42 to 45 hours of academic work). Thus, enrollment for 15 credits in a semester represents approximately 45 hours of work per week, on average, over the course of the semester.
2. Exceptions to undergraduate workload standard. Professional norms and the nature of the academic work may necessitate spending more than three hours of work per week on average. For example, clinical experiences, some laboratory work, and some studio activities may require more than an average three hours per week. Demands on the student in excess of the average of three hours per credit per week are permissible with college approval and with appropriate notification to the student of the amount of work expected for the course or educational experience (e.g., in class schedules, bulletins, or syllabi).
3. Student workload statement required for undergraduate courses. All proposals for undergraduate courses must include a student workload statement demonstrating how the course conforms to the student workload expectations in sections (a) and (b). College and campus curriculum committees and other approving bodies (e.g., the Council on Liberal Education) must consider the student workload statement in reaching a decision on whether to approve a proposed course.

B. Graduate School and Professional School Courses

It is expected that the academic work required of Graduate School and professional school students will exceed three hours per credit per week.

C. All Courses

1. For courses using one course number that enroll both undergraduate and graduate/professional students, workload expectations may be different for the two.
2. When a course is offered at two levels (e.g., 1xxx/3xxx or 3xxx/5xxx), workload expectations will differ for the students enrolled at different levels.
3. Instructional units should periodically review course syllabi to determine whether the number of course credits is appropriate for the expected student workload.

Exclusions

This policy is not applicable to the Duluth campus.