Awarding Credit

Credit is only awarded for successful completion of an approved course. In accordance with SACSCOC policy (SACSCOC Credit Hours Policy Statement), TSC defines a credit hour as the amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates:

1. 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
2. At least an equivalent amount of work as required outlined in item 1 above for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practicums, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours. 

For the purpose of determining credit hours to be awarded, TSC considers 50 minutes of instruction equivalent to one contact hour.

The THECB defines a three-semester credit hour (SCH) course as containing 15 weeks of instruction (45 contact hours) plus one week for final examinations, thus course contains 45-48 contact hours (depending on whether there is a final examination). Courses delivered in shortened semesters have the same number of contact hours and requirements for out-of-class learning as courses taught in a normal semester (Texas Administrative Code Title 19 Part 1 Chapter 13 Subchapter A Rule 13.1 (Page 2)).

TSC does not award credit for courses and programs outside of the commonly accepted practices in higher education.