Definition of Academic Credit and Credit Hour

Neumont awards credits using the quarter credit system as defined by its accrediting body and as 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. Courses are comprised of a variety of teaching and learning techniques, including: classroom lecture and direct instruction activities, outside study, reading and other assignments, laboratory or project work, and, in some cases, practicum or externship experience.

The definition of a quarter credit hour is as follows: 

One quarter credit hour equals 30 units comprised of the following academic activities: 

  • One clock hour in a didactic learning environment = 2 units 
  • One clock hour in a supervised laboratory setting of instruction = 1.5 units 
  • One hour of externship = 1 unit 
  • One hour of out-of-class work and/or preparation for the didactic learning environment or supervised laboratory setting of instruction that are designed to measure the student’s achieved competency relative to the required subject matter objectives = 0.5 unit