Career Center – How Many Courses Should I Take Per Semester?

“Golden Rule” for College Success

The majority of your college courses will be three credits or three hours, the terms are interchangeable.

For example: College Algebra MATH 1314 – the second digit number is a three (3) therefore the course is assigned three (3) credits.

For each hour of instruction, you should spend 1 to 2 more hours outside of the classroom to complete assignments, reading, tests, quizzes, special projects, etc.

Below is a chart that will help you understand the average time you need to spend for each 3-credit course.

Questions to ask yourself before you enroll in courses:

• How much time am I willing to invest in coursework per week?
• What does a typical day, or week look like for me? Are their activities that I can exclude from my schedule to allow for more study time?
• Am I willing to make school a priority?

Professors are required by state law to provide 48 hours of instruction for each 3 credit course, regardless of the length of term (16 weeks, 12 weeks, etc.) or platform (classroom, hybrid, or distance education).

For distance education courses, the 48 hours of instruction may involve more of a collaborative learning environment in WebCT between the students and professors. For example, professors may include online discussions about a topic, case studies, projects, small group work and other methods of learning.

In addition to the instructional component, you will have outside work to complete; for example quizzes, tests, readings, essays, and other methods of learning.

References:

• http://www.ion.illinois.edu/resources/tutorials/pedagogy/instructionalstrategies.asp
• HCC Professor Cammy Artiz