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Definitions

Academic Year. Consists of fall, spring and summer sessions.

Continuing Education Unit (CEU). Consists of ten contact hours of participation in an organized non-credit, continuing education experience under the sponsorship and direction of Central Wyoming College. CEUs are for professional development versus personal development.

Co-Requisite Course. A course section supplementing a college-level course for students placing at a pre-college level.

Course. Major subject areas are broken down into smaller units. Each unit or course covers a defined portion of that subject area. See Course Descriptions listed in this catalog.

Credit Hour.

Central Wyoming College’s Credit Hour Policy

Definition of a credit hour per WCCC Rules, Chapter 1:

“Credit hour” (consistent with federal regulations) means 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: (i) 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 1-4 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 (ii) at least an equivalent amount of work as required in (i) above for other activities as established by an institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

Federal Credit Definition (34CFR 600.2):

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:

  1. 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
  2. At least an equivalent amount of work as required in 1 of this definition for other activities as established by an institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

     

Central Wyoming College

Adhering to the Federal Credit Definition, for Central Wyoming College courses offered for academic credit, the credit hour is defined as the amount of work represented in the expected learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement. Summer, shorter block, and distance education courses have identical expectations and in the case of in-person instruction, the same time requirements.

Definitions of one (1) Carnegie credit hour (50 minutes):

  1. One hour of Carnegie class time of direct faculty instruction and two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks (one semester) or equivalent work for a shorter period of time.
  2. An equivalent amount of work and assessment for other activities including laboratory work, internships, practica and studio work.
  3. A credit hour for CWC is 50 minutes. For courses such as online, where there is no required seat time, a credit hour is measured by an equivalent amount of work as documented by student outcomes and learning objectives (documented by course outlines, syllabi, and listed textbooks).
  4. Course Types:

    Clinical: Course of study designed especially for the preparation of students; that practicum involves the supervised practical application of previously studied theory in the field. Minimum 2250 minutes per credit hour.

    Directed Study: These courses utilize an independent study mode for specific areas of study not covered by courses in the catalog and are to be used in exceptional circumstances. In such courses, students will engage in a series of activities designed to develop competence in a specified area. Activities should include, but not be limited to, the development and preparation of presentations and special research. Specific requirements should be determined by the student and the instructor. The course should be of equal intensity and duration of a face-to-face course.

    Hybrid: These courses are a combination of lecture or lab (in-class) and online courses. Some hybrid courses are lecture courses that are split into a lecture course with an online component. Some hybrid courses are lab based courses (ie Biology or Anatomy) that are split with the lecture online and the lab content in class. Course assessment is based on attainment of course outcomes. Each course will have some portion of the course based upon lecture or lab calculation (750 minutes per credit hour for lecture or 1500 minutes per credit hour for lab) along with the online portion being of equal intensity and duration of a face-to-face class.

    Online: Online course content is given online and interaction is given via computer interface. Instruction, discussion, assessment, and feedback is conducted online.

    Laboratory: Primary method of instruction is hands-on/application oriented. Minimum 1500 minutes per credit hour.

    Lecture: Primary method of instruction is verbal - instruction/discussion/group interaction format. Minimum 750 minutes per credit hour.

    Lecture/Lab: These courses combine lecture and laboratory learning into an integrated course period. Lecture/lab (LAL) courses will combine lecture into the laboratory setting to facilitate student application of content into the hands-on laboratory setting. Each course will be scheduled based on the defined lecture and lab calculations.

    Music Lessons: These courses are for intensive individualized instruction on voice or a musical instrument. Direct contact time between the student and instructor for 1 credit would be 30 minutes per week for 15 weeks. Additionally, the student is expected to practice a minimum of 4 to 12 hours per week for 15 weeks depending on whether the lesson is for non-majors or music majors.

Curriculum. An organized program of study made up of specific courses which are arranged in such a way as to provide educational preparation for a career or further study in that field.

Pre-college Courses. Those courses necessary to meet the needs of the under-prepared, entry-level college student. The courses are academically at a pre-collegiate level and provide skills that prepare students for college level courses.