Credit Unit
Northwest uses the student credit hour, as defined by the US Department of Education, as the measure for earning credit. At a minimum, one student credit hour equates to the amount of work, completed at a satisfactory level, equivalent to three clock hours per week for approximately 15 weeks for every semester hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different period of time.
These three hours may be comprised of one hour spent engaged in direct faculty instruction (face-to-face, online, or ITV) and at least two hours working outside of class, two or more hours per week in a laboratory setting with a minimum of one hour of work outside of class, or similar minimum expectations in other academic activities such as internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.
The number of credit hours for each course is indicated in the departmental statements, in this catalog, and on the Northwest website by accessing the CatPAWS “Class Schedule” links.