Study Expectations

Learning is a partnership between the students and faculty which requires a level of commitment and dedication.  Students are expected to spend time outside of  class meeting times to master the concepts and skills found in their course work. Based upon the Carnegie model of doubling the number of “in-class” (or contact) hours with the number of hours required for studying, here are some guidelines on what to expect:

• If you are enrolled in a 15 week course worth three (3) credit hours, you should plan to spend at least six (6) hours per week preparing and studying for this course. If your class requires more contact hours, then you will want to plan for more study time.
• If you are enrolled in a 12 week course worth three (3) credit hours, you should plan to spend at least eleven to twelve (11-12) hours per week preparing and studying for this course with adjustments made for additional contact hours, as needed.
• If you are enrolled in a 7 week course worth three (3) credit hours, you should plan to spend at least nineteen (19) hours per week preparing and studying for this course.
• If you are enrolled in a 5 week course worth three (3) credit hours, you should plan to spend at least twenty-seven (27) hours per week preparing and studying for this course.
• We offer other course durations that follow similar patterns.

The time commitments and expectations may be greater than the guidelines above for distance learning courses as there are no formal class meetings so it is essential to plan for those same allotment of times on your own.

Remember, if the credit hours include courses that have additional hours of contact that expands a student’s knowledge (such as in labs, clinical, or other experience-based learning), more study time will be needed.