Credit Hour Policy

Morton College’s assignment and award of credit hours to courses and programs conforms to commonly accepted practices in higher education and is in keeping with the federal definition of the credit hour.

A credit hour at Morton College is the amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates either one hour (50 minutes) of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks or one academic semester. Equivalent credit is awarded for classes taught in the traditional (face-to-face) and alternative formats, such as online or hybrid classes.

Morton College also awards credit for the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time, or at least an equivalent amount of work for other activities as established by the institution, and consistent with Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) policy, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading toward the award of credit hours. Morton College determines the appropriate awarding of academic credit across all programs in conformity with this policy, and in conformance with accepted practices in higher education.