Credit-hour equivalency is the institution’s documented mapping of competencies, direct-assessment units, or non-traditional learning activities to traditional credit hours for Title IV and academic purposes.
How it works
Faculty and instructional designers analyze the learning outcomes and estimate the student workload (instruction, practice, assessment) that corresponds to one credit hour. The institution documents the analysis and obtains any required approvals. Thereafter, completion of a defined set of competencies is treated as completion of a set number of credit hours for aid and transcript purposes. The mapping is reviewed periodically.
Example: an institution determines that mastery of five specified competencies requires approximately the same work as a 3-credit traditional course. When a student demonstrates those five competencies, the student is awarded 3 credit-hour equivalencies, which count toward full-time status and SAP pace.
How it differs
A traditional credit hour is defined by time and workload in a standard course. Clock-hour equivalency uses time-based measures. Credit-hour equivalency is the bridge that lets competency-based programs use the credit-hour framework required for most Title IV calculations.
Common errors
Assigning equivalencies without a documented workload analysis. Changing equivalencies mid-program without approval or student notification. Treating equivalencies as optional for aid purposes in a direct-assessment program.
References
- 1. 34 CFR 600.2 credit hourDefinition and equivalency
- 2. Federal Student Aid CBE equivalenciesMapping competencies to credits
Credit-hour equivalency is the institution’s documented mapping of competencies, direct-assessment units, or non-traditional learning activities to traditional credit hours for Title IV and academic purposes.