Course Credit
Alverno College uses the semester hour system (Summer, Fall & Spring). Fall and Spring semesters are 15 weeks of class instruction followed by 4 days of final assessments. Within the Fall and Spring semesters are two 8-week sessions. Summer has 12 weeks of class instruction and final assessment, with two 6-week sessions. Winterim is a 4-week term that is within the Spring Term.
Per the Federal Credit Definition, a collegiate semester credit hour is credit is equal to 45 hours; 15 hours in class and 30 hours work outside of class (homework).
- The 15 hours of coursework is based upon approximately one academic hour (50 minutes) of formalized, structured instructional time weekly for 15 weeks (or equivalent). Classes that meet for shorter periods of time use this same calculation and adjust for length of the class.
- Exceptions to this definition include hybrid asynchronous courses, studio courses, clinical experiences, directed research, travel courses, internships and practicums, and other experiences faculty offer to students outside of the usual laboratory or classroom setting. Courses with lab components require extra time.
- In addition to instructional time, a scheduled evaluation or examination period is scheduled for each semester hour of credit. Courses may consist of lectures, out-of-class study, laboratory, clinicals, etc.
Although credits for a course are usually fixed, there are some variable credit courses.
No academic department, or individual faculty member is authorized to reduce the number of academic weeks in the standard semester without specific approval from the Vice-President of Academic Affairs.
See the Internship Policy for credits assigned.
- Baccalaureate degree-seeking students must earn a minimum of 120 credits to earn the baccalaureate degree. [Majors/Minors/Certificate/Specialization Policy]. Baccalaureate degree-seeking students are considered Full-Time if they are enrolled in 12-18 credits for a term. Students must petition to their academic Deans to exceed 18 credits. Half-time is 6 credits and three-quarter time is 9 credits.
- Graduate degree seeking students are considered Full-Time if they are enrolled in at least 6 credits for a term. Half-time is 3 credits.
Resident Credits
Resident credits are credits earned at Alverno College. Students must complete a minimum of 25% of their degree credits at Alverno to be eligible to graduate. Credits awarded through Prior Learning (CPL) do not count toward residency requirements.
The credit residency requirement sets a minimum number of Alverno credits a transfer student needs to earn to be awarded their degree. It should not be interpreted as replacing any program specific graduation requirements.
Course Levels
Academic Calendar
| Date |
Description |
| Undergraduate Courses numbered 100-299 |
Beginning/Intermediate Level |
| Undergraduate Courses numbered 300-399 |
Advanced Level |
| Undergraduate Courses numbered 400-499 |
Advanced Level |
| Graduate Courses numbered 500-599 |
|
| Graduate Courses numbered 600-699 |
|
| Doctorate & Specialist Courses numbered 700-999 |
|
Modalities (in-person, online)
The following modalities are used and chosen by the faculty of the course:
- Face-to-face: Course meets in-person during designated days and times
- Flex: Course is offered both in-person and virtually. Students choose whether to attend face to face or virtually.
- Hybrid: Course meets in-person during designated days and times with remote learning components built in to reduce the amount of in-person days a class will meet
- Online synchronous: Learning that takes place online but happens in real-time with regular course meetings on specific dates and during specific times
- Online asynchronous: Learning takes place remotely through virtual means that do not require scheduled class meeting days and times
