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307-2 - Credit Hour Policy

Title  Credit Hour Policy
Owner: Office of the Provost
Last Update/Revised: 11/01/2025

Policy: United States University offers credit bearing programs and courses in a semester credit hour system. A semester is composed of two sessions of 8 weeks (a total of 16 weeks). At USU, one credit hour is defined as 15 hours of direct faculty instruction and a minimum 30 hours of out-of-class student work for the 8 weeks session.

USU's definition of a credit hour is consistent with the federal regulation (CFRs 600.2 and 600.4), which defines credit hour as "the amount of work represented intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency 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 or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or
  2. At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours."

One hour of direct faculty instruction is equal to 50 minutes of classroom time. In courses in which direct instruction does not apply, a credit hour may be measured by an equivalent amount of work, as demonstrated by student achievement.

For nursing laboratory and clinical courses, one credit is awarded for 48 hours of supervised laboratory or clinical instruction. 

Not-For-Credit Internship Policy

The University offers a not-for-credit internship course in select programs (refer to the program curriculum in the catalog), allowing students to gain real-world, career-related experience while having the internship formally recorded on their academic transcript.

Eligibility

To participate in this internship, students should refer to their program curriculum and must meet the following criteria:

  1. Enrollment – Students must be currently enrolled with the University.
  2. Application Deadline - Applications should be submitted at least two weeks before the start of a session. Students should refer to the application for detailed information.
  3. Minimum Hours – Students must work a minimum of 40 hours over the course of the internship.
  4. Approval – The internship site must be approved by the university representative, and in certain instances by the College leadership, before the start of the experience.
  5. Supervisor – The internship site must provide a professional supervisor with expertise, education, and/or relevant professional experience in the field of study. The supervisor must provide ongoing feedback and evaluation.
  6. Defined Duration – The internship must have a clear beginning and end date (fall within an 8-week session).
  7. Setting – Internships must occur in a business or commercial setting. In-home or residential settings may not be permitted.

Course Component

Students completing a not-for-credit internship will be enrolled in an internship course and be required to complete weekly assignments that provide opportunities to:

  • Create and evaluate personal learning goals in skills, professional, and career development.
  • Identify career interests and preferences based on internship experiences.
  • Reflect on their past, present, and future career objectives and decision-making.
  • Develop awareness of best practices for career education and preparedness as it relates to their field of study.

International Students

International students should note that not-for-credit internship courses do not count toward full-time enrollment requirements for F-1 visa purposes. Students on such visas must consult with their designated school official (DSO) and refer to the International Student Handbook.

Transcript Notation

Upon successful completion, the zero-credit internship will be noted on the student’s official transcript.

Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to ensure compliance with the Department of Education (ED) and our regional accrediting body, WASC, Senior Colleges and Universities Commission (WSCUC), Credit Hour Policy requirements to determine how USU defines and determines award of credit hours to credit bearing courses and degrees. In Addition, this policy is to provide guidance and clarify that the university has established a non-for-credit internship course(s).

Scope: This policy applies to all USU enrolled students taking internship courses for zero credits. 

Document and Forms:

  • College Specific Application
  • Cooperative Agreements/Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs)