POLICY ON AWARD OF ACADEMIC CREDIT
Introduction
Silicon Valley Business Institute awards academic credits based on generally accepted practices in degree-granting institutions of higher education consistent with WSCUC’s Credit Hour Policy (available on the WSCUC website) and federal regulations.
The University has adopted the Policy Statement on Award of Credit, as established by the regional accreditor, WASC, and is consistent with USDE expectations, which states,
“34 CFR section 600.2 Credit hour: Except as provided in 34 CFR 668.8(k) and (l), a credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than…”
- 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
- 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, practical, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.
Each of the following constitute one Semester Academic Credit hour towards the programs of instruction at Silicon Valley Business Institute:
- 15 hours of didactic instruction, supplemented by a minimum of two hours of outside preparation for each hour of class time (or equivalent). Outside preparation will be substantiated by review of the course outline/syllabi;
- 30 hours of lab instruction;
- 45 hours of practical instruction.
In accord with this policy, credit hours will be assigned for all Silicon Valley Business Institute courses and programs.
Carnegie unit
According to California’s Title V code, section 55002, Silicon Valley Business Institute applies the Carnegie credit units. It means that a semester credit unit equals to a minimum of three hours of work per week for a semester (15 weeks).
In certain circumstances, it is possible to have more hours but not less. Three hours of student work including 1 hour lecture plus 2 hours of homework or 3 hours of labs for 15 weeks.
Lecture classes
For a lecture class, one credit unit is considered 1 hour of classroom lecture and 2 hours of homework per week. If the subject is equal to three-unit class, a student must spend 3 hours per week in class and spend another 6 hours per week for homework. The total hours are calculated by multiplying number of weekly hours by 15 weeks.
A lecture at Silicon Valley Business Institute is online lecture, tutorial, student research, Individual or group exercise and forum
Example
|
Subject |
Unit value |
Lecture hours per |
Homework hours per |
||
|
|
|
Week |
Semester |
Week |
Semester |
|
Subject 1 |
1 |
1 |
15 |
2 |
30 |
|
Subject 2 |
2 |
2 |
30 |
4 |
60 |
|
Subject 3 |
3 |
3 |
45 |
6 |
90 |
|
Subject 4 |
4 |
4 |
60 |
8 |
120 |
|
Subject 5 |
5 |
5 |
75 |
10 |
150 |