Determining Credit Hours

The Stamps School of Art & Design follows guidance from the University of Michigan Office of the Provost to determine the definition of a credit hour.

A full term is defined as 14 consecutive weeks of classes, plus time for final examinations or critiques. A half term is defined as 7 consecutive weeks of classes. Class time is defined as time spent by students engaged with the course instructor.

On average, for a lecture course that meets for a full term, one credit hour represents one hour of class time plus two hours of preparation-outside-of-class time per week. For a lecture course that meets for a half term, one credit hour represents two hours of class time plus four hours of preparation-outside-of-class time per week.

On average, for a studio course that meets for a full term, one credit hour represents one-and-a-half hours of class time plus one-and-a-half hours of preparation-outside-of-class time per week. For a studio course that meets for a half term, one credit hour represents three hours of class time plus three hours of preparation-outside-of-class time per week.