Credit Hours Policy

 

Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) is responsible for ensuring the appropriateness and quantity of student learning activities represented within the curriculum. Credit hours are assigned to all components of the curriculum, including didactic courses, laboratory experiences, and clinical rotations, based on established instructional and learning activities as described below.

Credit assignments, intended learning outcomes, and evidence of student achievement are regularly reviewed to ensure alignment with institutional standards and accreditation requirements. Credit hours are assigned in accordance with the Carnegie Unit credit hour definition recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and consistent with the glossary and standards established by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).

The amount of learning required for each credit hour reflects the rigor, complexity, and content necessary for students to achieve the learning outcomes of the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree program and to meet the expectations of the osteopathic medical profession.

Credit Hour Definition 

Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) adheres to the federal definition of a credit hour as established in 34 CFR §600.2. A credit hour is an amount of work represented by intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that reasonably approximates not less than:

  1. One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester credit hour, or the equivalent amount of work over a different period of time; or
  2. At least an equivalent amount of work as described above for other academic activities established by the institution, including but not limited to laboratory experiences, simulation activities, online, hybrid, and distance education courses, standardized patient encounters, clinical skills training, preceptor experiences, clinical rotations, independent study, research, practica, and other educational activities that lead to the awarding of academic credit.

Noorda-COM regularly reviews credit hour assignments to ensure that they accurately reflect the amount of student work required to achieve the stated learning outcomes and are consistent with institutional policies, federal regulations, and accreditation standards.
Calculation of credit hours will be rounded down to the nearest 0.5 credit hours per course.

General Application 

In calculating credit hours, one hour of credit is awarded for:

  • 15 instructional hours with anticipated student activity of two additional hours per instructional hour for reading, preparing assignment, etc. which is equivalent to 45 hours of student activity
  • 30 course lab hours
  • 45 Learning Objectives
  • 90 Technique-Oriented Learning Objectives
  • 40-45 hours of clinical rotations, clerkships, directed study, independent study, and/or practical
  • 60 research hours

Definitions  

  • Academic hour – 50 minutes
  • Learning Objectives – 3 Learning Objectives is equivalent to one instructional hour of didactic instruction.
  • Didactics – 15 instructional hours of didactic instruction (plus 30 hours of student out-of-class independent learning) for one semester credit.
  • Small group discussions and learning activities are considered the same as didactics for credit hour calculation purposes.
  • Labs – 30 formalized instructional course lab hours (plus 15 hours of student out-of-class independent learning) for one semester credit.
  • Clerkships, Directed Study, Independent Study, Practicum, – 40-45 hours of instruction and/or student out of classroom independent learning in any combination for one semester credit.
  • Research – 60 hours of research for one semester credit.

Course Numbering 

100                  First year medical courses

200                  Second year medical courses

300                  Third year medical courses

400                  Fourth year medical courses

This policy was reviewed and revised May 2026. To view the full policy please see the Catalog/Student Handbook. For assistance with policies and procedures, please contact Alexa Levine (alexa.levine@noorda.edu).