Definitions of Academic Credit and Credit Hour
Neumont University awards credits using the quarter credit system as defined by ACICS, its accrediting body and approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
The number of credit hours awarded for a Neumont course is determined by the types and lengths of activities that occur within that course: classroom lecture and direct instruction activities, outside study, reading and other assignments, laboratory or project work, in some cases, practicum or externship experience at an actual industry partner site. Ten hours of classroom lecture or direct instruction activities accompanied by 20 hours of homework are the equivalent of one credit hour. Twenty hours of laboratory or project work equals one credit hour, and thirty hours of practicum experience are the equivalent of one credit hour.
As examples of this credit hour formula, a 4 credit hour course at Neumont normally contains 32+ hours of classroom lecture and direct instruction, approximately 64 hours of outside study work, and 16 hours of laboratory or project work; a 3 credit hour course normally contains 24+ hours of classroom lecture and direct instruction, approximately 48 hours of outside study work and 12 hours of laboratory or project work. The majority of courses at Neumont contain 48 (4 credit hours) or 36 (3 credit hours) contact hours between the instructor and students. An externship or practicum course is typically a 6.5 credit hour course requiring 2+ hours of lecture and direct instruction plus 190 hours of student work with an approved Neumont University Enterprise Partner.