Course Credit and Contact Hours

On this page:

How course credit is assigned

The number of credits a course is worth depends on its contact hours.

A credit hour is generally worth one contact hour of lecture, discussion, recitation, or seminar. For example, if class time generally adds up to about 3 hours a week, that course is usually worth 3 credits.
A credit hour is generally worth two contact hours of lab.
- Labs that meet in a lab classroom, such as for biology and chemistry, must meet for at least two hours for each credit earned.
- When departments schedule a “lab” for film screenings, for example, this is a scheduling tool to ensure students set aside time for a required class activity and do not count toward contact hours.

Note: All credits count toward tuition charges. This includes internship, research, and independent study credits.

Students may petition to earn more or fewer credits than the number printed in the Undergraduate Course Catalog and LSA Course Guide.

Students can submit a “Request for LSA Modification of Credit Hours” petition on MyAdvising.

Requests for more credits must include a rationale and information on additional coursework the student will complete.
Requests for fewer credits are rarely granted. If they are, it's typically only after registration and only for variable credit courses, for example those listed as "1-3 credits" (or similar) in the LSA Course Guide.
In both cases, the request must be approved by the instructor and submitted before the drop/add deadline for the term.
Final approval of petitions to adjust the credit hour for a course is made by the LSA Office of Student Academic Affairs.

Note: Additional credit is not awarded for work outside of class, homework, field trips, film screenings, or reading and writing assignments.