Unit of Credit: SCH

📏 SCH – Semester Credit Hours

The number of Semester Credit Hours (SCH) depends on how your university defines the relationship between hours of instruction and credit.

In most U.S.-influenced or international systems:

  • 1 SCH = 15 hours of direct instruction + ~30 hours of student work
  • So a 3 SCH course usually includes:
    • 45 contact hours (lectures, seminars, etc.)
    • 90+ hours of independent study


Definition of the unit of credit. When we use Credit Hours, we adopt the Semester Credit Hours (SCH) system (Rule 6E-1.003, F.A.C.).

(56) “Semester” means at least fifteen weeks of instruction and learning, or its equivalent as described below.

“Clock Hour” means a period of 1 academic hour: 60 minutes with a minimum of 50 minutes of instruction (usually 50 minutes) in the presence of an instructor. Each clock hour (one Lecture), when delivered online, can be synchronous (video streaming) or asynchronous (videos on-demand).  

A Semester Credit Hour (SCH) is composed by 15 Clock Hours (1 Academic hour per 15 weeks)

This type of 15 clock hours of instruction can also be provided through workshops (or Labs) or (b) planned learning experiences equivalent

(58) “Semester Credit Hour” means either:

​​(a) A unit consisting of a minimum of fifteen hours of instruction appropriate to the level of credential sought, during a semester, plus a ​​reasonable period of time (around 30 hours of independent study) outside of instruction which the institution requires a student to devote to preparation for learning experiences, ​such as preparation for instruction, study of course material, or completion of educational projects; or

​​(b) Planned learning experiences equivalent to the learning and preparation described in paragraph 6E-1.003(55)(a), F.A.C., above, as ​​determined by duly qualified instructors responsible for evaluating learning outcomes for the award of credits.

(61) “Synchronous” means that students must participate, electronically or by other means, in a distance educational program simultaneously, regardless of time zones.