Credit Hour Policy

Carteret Community College operates on the semester system. The fall and spring semesters are sixteen (16) weeks each in lingth; summer term is ten (10) weeks in length (total hours are equivalent to a sixteen (16) week semester). The College is in session six (6) days per week during the fall and spring semesters and four (4) days per week during the summer term.

CREDIT HOUR: A unit of measure representing an hour (50 minutes of instruction over a 16-week period in a semester. It is applied toward the total number of hours needed for completing the requirements of a degree, diploma, or certificate.

In compliance with the North carolina Administration Code, the formula for computation of credit hour equivalency is as follows:

Class work is lecture and other classroom instruction under the supervision of an instructor.

Experiential laboratory work means instruction given to a student by an instructor to increase the student’s knowledge and skills without immediate student application.

Faculty directed lab work involves structured and coordinated demonstration by an instructor with immediate student application.

Clinical practice is structured, faculty-directed learning experience in a health sciences program which develops job proficiency.  Clinical practice requires significant preparation, coordination and scheduling by the faculty and is under the supervision of an instructor or preceptor who is qualified for the particular program.

Work experience includes cooperative education, practicums and internships. Work experience involves the development of job skills by providing the student with employment that is directly related to, and coordinated with the educational program.  Student activity in work experience is planned and coordinated by a college representative, and the employer is responsible for the control and supervision of the student on the job.

These regulations apply regardless of course level or of method of delivery.  Method of delivery includes traditional, web-supported, hybrid, internet, and modular instruction.