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What are College Credit Hours?

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

College credit hours are awarded to students for completing certain activities, classes or special tests in addition to the normal curriculum. These hours can help meet completion requirements for courses, allowing a student to get closer to graduating. Students are often awarded college credit hours for honors classes or for life or work experience equivalent to course training.

If a typical semester of school is approximately 16 weeks, and a student takes a class that is two hours per week, he or she would need a total of 32 college credit hours in the same subject to cancel out the requirement for that class. The amount of college credit awarded depends entirely on the school, so prospective students should check the school policy extremely carefully before applying. In addition, it is recommended that you meet with an admissions counselor to determine exactly what credit you will earn.

College students earn credit hours by successfully completing classes, lectures and other activities.
College students earn credit hours by successfully completing classes, lectures and other activities.

Receiving college credit hours is done in a variety of ways, but one of the most common is by taking academically advanced classes. These classes, often called “honors” courses, may meet the requirements of general education classes taken in the first two years of college. In many countries, a global program called the International Baccalaureate, or IB, allows students to take extra classes or do additional projects and tests to receive possible college credit. At certain universities, it is possible for a freshman-level student to enter as a sophomore or junior if they have successfully completed enough qualifying courses as a high school student.

College students should be careful not to overburden themselves with too many courses per semester.
College students should be careful not to overburden themselves with too many courses per semester.

Some colleges will also allow college credit for work experience. While the student may not technically receive credit hours, they may be allowed to skip pre-requisite courses and enter advanced classes if they can show proficiency at the basics of the subject. Some schools also allow students to “test out” of a prerequisite or entry-level class, permitting them to complete their course work in less time and go straight to advanced classes.

Some colleges provide students with academic credits for internships or work-study programs.
Some colleges provide students with academic credits for internships or work-study programs.

College credit hours can not only shorten the time between entrance and graduation, they can also lessen the financial burden of a student by a considerable amount. If a high school student is able to complete a university program in two years rather than four, they will save two years of tuition, housing, and expenses. This allows students to enter post-college life at a younger age and, for students who rely heavily on student loan programs, with half the debt of a typical four year education.

High school students may earn college credit hours through AP classes or joint enrollment.
High school students may earn college credit hours through AP classes or joint enrollment.

Parents and students should beware, however, of overburdening a student with college credit classes. These classes are typically taught at college-level difficulty, and may include arduous projects, essays and tests. Some students may struggle with the difficult coursework, or be unable to pass the tests typically given at the end of the class. Failure to pass tests often results in no credit given, no matter how hard a student has worked to do well all year. Students may wish to start with one or two classes to make sure they can keep up with the workload, before taking on any more.

Most schools charge tuition based on credit hours.
Most schools charge tuition based on credit hours.

Before signing up for dozens of IB or honors classes, a student should carefully consider the colleges they would like to attend and check their policy on accepting course credit hours. Be aware, as well, that some schools may change their policy while a student is still in high school, rendering some of his hard work useless. Contact colleges early to speak to admissions counselors about the stability of their program and their recommendations for a course of study.

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a WiseGEEK writer.

Learn more...
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a WiseGEEK writer.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Fiorite

There is another way for students to get college credit that the author did not mention in the article. Students can take a CLEP test, college credit test, in lieu of taking certain classes. CLEP tests are based on national standards that most accredited schools adhere to in their curriculum. Passing a CLEP test shows competence in its respective subject, and some schools will allow a student to substitute CLEP credit for general requirements.

The biggest benefits of CLEP tests are they only cost about $130 and they can shorten your college career. This translates to lower school loan debt. Some subjects CLEP covers are English composition, U.S. history, mathematics, some sciences, foreign languages, and many others.

FrameMaker

Most universities require 120 college credits to graduate with a bachelor's degree. This can change depending on the degree. Students may also voluntarily take more credits than required. This may be to fulfill a minor or double major, but it can simply be because there are courses that spark the student’s interest. Sometimes a student may change majors half way through their college career, forcing them to take more than 120 credits to graduate.

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    • College students earn credit hours by successfully completing classes, lectures and other activities.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      College students earn credit hours by successfully completing classes, lectures and other activities.
    • College students should be careful not to overburden themselves with too many courses per semester.
      By: micromonkey
      College students should be careful not to overburden themselves with too many courses per semester.
    • Some colleges provide students with academic credits for internships or work-study programs.
      By: seandeburca
      Some colleges provide students with academic credits for internships or work-study programs.
    • High school students may earn college credit hours through AP classes or joint enrollment.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      High school students may earn college credit hours through AP classes or joint enrollment.
    • Most schools charge tuition based on credit hours.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      Most schools charge tuition based on credit hours.
    • College credit hours can shorten the time between college entrance and graduation.
      By: mimagephotos
      College credit hours can shorten the time between college entrance and graduation.
    • Speaking with a university's admissions counselors may help prospective students determine whether or not to take college credit hours.
      By: Monkey Business
      Speaking with a university's admissions counselors may help prospective students determine whether or not to take college credit hours.