The workload estimator below can be used by members of the faculty to determine the anticipated time commitment for students participating in a given class. Please keep in mind that the most quantifiable approach to course planning, as outlined by the U.S. Department of Education, reasonably approximates to not less than one hour of class and two hours of out-of-class student work per week over the course of a standard 15-week semester.
In the case of a 3-credit course, for example, the required time commitment equates to a minimum of 45 hours of instructor-led academic engagement and 90 hours of independent student academic preparation. This guideline has also been adopted by NECHE, Vermont State University’s accreditation body.