Tiffin University Credit Hour Definition and Policy

Purpose: Tiffin University participates in Title IV federal financial aid therefore it is required to have a policy determining credit hours awarded to courses and programs based on federal guidelines. In addition, the North Central Association of the Higher Learning Commission shall review said policy.

This policy allows for standard instruction, supports innovation, creativity, and the application of best practices, maximizes the use of instructional technology, and yet adheres to the requirements established by the federal government and the accrediting bodies.

Definitions: Federal Credit Hour: a federal credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonable approximates not less than;

1. One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time: or 2. At least an equivalent amount of work as required in the preceding numbered item of this definition for other activities as established by an institution, including laboratory work, internships, practicum, studio work and other academic work leading toward the award of credit hours (34 CFR 600.2, 2012)

Tiffin University Academic Engagement: academic engagement activities are primarily instructor designed, initiated, and/or moderated to promote and assess student learning. Such activities require student participation in class lectures, webinars, taking an exam, contributing to an academic discussion, completing assignments, projects, and laboratory, and studio work, and completing an externship or internship. Please note that this is not an inclusive list since other activities may be deemed academic engagement.

Tiffin University Student Preparation: student preparation activities help to prepare students for academic engagement and assessment in a course. Such activities may include, but are not limited to activities, such as reading, study time, completing an interactive tutorial or computer- assisted instruction, attending a study group as assigned, homework activities, and initiating contact with a faculty member to discuss course-related questions. Please note that this is not an inclusive list since other activities may be deemed student preparation.

Tiffin University Policy: A semester credit hour consists of academic engagement and student preparation activities. For every semester credit hour, at minimum, there will 15 hours of academic engagement and 30 hours student preparation and additional academic engagement for a total of 45 hours minimum per credit hour. This policy applies to all academic delivery methods.

Deviation from this policy requires appropriate documentation detailing the deviation rationale and approval by the academic discipline school dean and the Provost.

Application: Tiffin University recognizes potential differences in academic levels, programs, content, and delivery methods. Times associated with academic engagement and student preparation may vary depending on the task, task criteria, Bloom’s taxonomy level, and professional judgment.  Classes that meet in a traditional seated format must include one hour of academic engagement (50 minutes) and two hours of student preparation or academic engagement activities for 15 weeks for each semester hour of credit.  Classes that are conducted in the online environment will consist of a combination of academic engagement and student preparation activities so they meet the credit hour standard as defined in the policy above.  Classes that are conducted in a hybrid format will consist of a combination of academic engagement and student preparation activities through a combination of traditional and online delivery formats. It is recommended that a framework be developed for each delivery format to estimate times for academic engagement and student preparation activities. By nature, this recommended framework should be flexible to reflect academic levels, programs, and professional judgment.

Supporting Documentation:

Tiffin University Credit Hour Matrix

Tiffin University Academic Bulletin 2018-19

Faculty Training 2012 ppts

MCCG and Syllabus examples

Seated

Online

Fulfillment of Tiffin University Credit Hour Policy in “Next Generation” online courses

Tiffin University’s new “Next Generation” online courses are developed using a purposeful design approach intended to enhance: 1. Faculty Presence, 2. Student Voice, and 3. Authenticity of Assessment The Authenticity of Assessments in online courses is facilitated in part through a transparent process of internal alignment that ensures that the readings, activities, and assignments build toward, and provide students with opportunities to demonstrate attainment of, the weekly goals, and ultimately, the Course Learning Outcomes approved by the Faculty Curriculum Committee. While this new outcomes-driven design approach does represent a move away from previous processes, which prioritized quantitative, “minute by minute” metrics to demonstrate attainment of Carnegie “seat time,” TU Instructional Designers are trained to provide guidance to Subject Matter Experts to ensure that courses are built in accordance with the University’s policies on the Academic Credit Hour. Additionally, a new multi-stage Quality Assurance process for all new online course builds ensures that the course consists of appropriate levels of “time on task” expectations. Finally, both the standardized Online Course Syllabus as well as the supplemental “Keys to Success” documents present students with the typical Carnegie “rule of thumb”’ regarding expectations related to workload and time on task hours. (see below)

In Syllabus… How Should I Spend My Time? True transformational learning takes both time and effort, so effective time management is critical to your academic success. Tiffin University online courses incorporate readings, activities, and assignments that are tailored to help guide you to the full attainment of the specified Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs). In accordance with TU’s Credit Hour Definition and, TU online courses are designed with the expectation that students will dedicate roughly six (6) hours per credit hour per week to course activities throughout the accelerated, 7-week term. To assist in your time management and planning, we will indicate expected time commitments for selected activities or assignments, but generally, students should expect to devote at least twenty (20) hours per week in the successful completion of a three credit, 7-week course. To maximize your learning, be sure to plan your time wisely.

In Keys to Success document… Time Management To get the most out of your learning experience, you should actively engage (participate) in ALL course activities. In this, as in any academic course, effective time management is critical to your success. To do well in this online class you should plan your time wisely to complete readings, activities, and assignments. As you manage your time commitments for the week, be sure to reserve at least twenty (20) hours in the week devote to the successful completion of a three- credit, 7-week course.

References

600.2, 3. C. (2012, July 1). Title 34 Education Section 600.2. Retrieved September 18, 2014, from Federal Register: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2012-title34-vol3/xml/CFR-2012- title34-vol3-sec600-2.xml

Updated July 2019