Award of Credit

Norwich University follows the U.S. Department of Education’s definition of an instructional credit hour. The United States Department of Education requires that each institution develop a written credit hour policy that conforms to the definition of a credit hour under 34 CFR 600.2.

 The Department of Education defines a credit hour as an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that

1. Reasonably approximates not less than

   • One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours 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;

   • At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

2. Permits an institution, in determining the amount of work associated with a credit hour, to take into account a variety of delivery methods, measurements of student work, academic calendars, disciplines, and degree levels.

Our baseline academic calendar year is divided into two semesters, each approximately 15 weeks long, including finals week. The lecture credit is 50 minutes while other academic activities are no less than 50 minutes. In alignment with the Federal Student Aid Handbook, an academic calendar that is offered outside of our defined semester calendar the instructional activity is calculated by following the semester definition.

Norwich ensures that all courses offered as credit, whether in-person, off-campus, distance education, evenings or weekends are consistent with the educational objectives of the institution. Academic programs offered through Distance Learning receive sufficient support for instructional and student services. Online students have ready access to support for using appropriate learning resources.

Students enrolled in Distance Learning courses, and/or Hybrid courses have sufficient opportunities to interact with faculty regarding course content and related academic matters.  Norwich has procedures that establish students who register for a Distance Learning or Hybrid course are the same students who participate in and complete the course requirements and receive academic credit.

An online, or Distance Learning course is one that is conducted entirely and exclusively via the course management system accessible from the Internet. The online format is the primary method to deliver the course materials. Communication and interaction occur online between faculty and students. All assessment of student work is conducted online.

A hybrid course is a course that combines 30% to 70% traditional, face-to-face weekly class time with online, out-of-class course work. Hybrid instructors determine what instructional activities are offered online or face-to-face depending on the learning goals, course objectives, content, and available resources.