Isabella Carter
In higher education in Texas, a contact hour is defined as an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. This includes time spent in class, laboratory work, and online instruction. The number of contact hours is important for determining course credit and tuition rates. For example, a 3-credit hour course typically meets for three 50-minute sessions per week for a total of 45 sessions over 15 weeks. Additionally, online activities such as video lectures, discussion forums, and assignment feedback can also be considered equivalent to contact hours in some cases. Understanding what constitutes a contact hour is crucial for both students and instructors to ensure that the required number of contact hours for a course is met and that tuition rates are calculated accurately.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Contact hours quantify the amount of regular and substantive interaction between students and their instructor and are most traditionally associated with the number of hours that a class meets on campus. |
| Lecture, discussion, or seminar | 1 contact hour constitutes 1 credit hour (1:1) |
| Self-contained or self-directed laboratory | 2-3 contact hours constitute 1 credit hour (3:1 or 2:1) |
| Studios | 2 contact hours constitute 1 credit hour (2:1) |
| Private lessons | 1 contact hour constitutes 1 credit hour (1:1) |
| Semester credit hour | Normally granted for satisfactory completion of one 50-minute session (contact hour) of classroom instruction per week for a semester of not less than 15 weeks. |
| 3-credit hour internship, field work course, or practicum | Approximately 10 contact hours/week or 150-200 hours/semester |
| 6-credit hour internship, field work course, or practicum | Approximately 20 contact hours/week or 300-400 hours/semester |
| 12-credit hour internship, field work course, or practicum | Approximately 40 contact hours/week or 600-750 hours/semester |
| Asynchronous online classes | Must involve substantive and sustained interaction with the instructor to count as a functional equivalent of contact time. |
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What You'll Learn
Contact hours are a measure of scheduled instruction
A contact hour is a measure of scheduled instruction time between students and their instructor. It is typically associated with the number of hours that a class meets on campus. One contact hour is usually equivalent to one credit hour.
The basic measure of a contact hour is one hour of classroom instruction per week for a semester of not less than 15 weeks. This can be adjusted to reflect modified academic calendars and formats of study. For example, a three-semester credit hour course might meet three times a week for 50 minutes over 15 weeks, or twice a week for 75 minutes over the same period.
Contact hours can also be accrued through other instructional activities, such as video lectures, online discussion forums, and assignment feedback. In asynchronous online classes, an activity must be required for all students and involve substantive and sustained interaction with the instructor to count as a contact hour.
The number of contact hours can vary depending on the type of class. For example, a lecture, discussion, or seminar typically has a 1:1 contact-to-credit hour ratio, while a self-contained laboratory class might have a 3:1 or 2:1 ratio. Internships, fieldwork, or practicums also have higher contact hour requirements, with a three-credit hour course requiring approximately 10 contact hours per week or 150-200 hours per semester.
It is important to note that the specific definitions and requirements of contact hours may vary between institutions and states.
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One credit hour = one contact hour
In higher education, a contact hour is defined as an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Typically, one credit hour is equivalent to one contact hour, which is usually a 50-minute session of classroom instruction per week for a semester of at least 15 weeks. This standard measure can be adjusted to accommodate different academic calendars and study formats.
For example, a three-semester credit hour course might consist of three 50-minute sessions per week for 15 weeks, totalling 45 sessions. Alternatively, it could be structured as two 75-minute sessions per week for 15 weeks, resulting in 30 sessions.
The equivalence of one credit hour to one contact hour applies to various teaching formats, including lectures, discussions, and seminars. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, self-contained or self-directed laboratories typically require 2-3 contact hours for one credit hour. Similarly, studios and private lessons usually demand two contact hours for each credit hour.
In online learning environments, both synchronous and asynchronous formats can be utilised to deliver contact hours. Synchronous class meetings on platforms like Teams fall under the category of direct instruction. On the other hand, asynchronous online classes, which are prevalent at Jacksonville State University (JSU), must meet specific criteria to be considered equivalent to contact time. This includes being mandatory for all students and involving substantive and sustained interaction with the instructor.
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Asynchronous activities can count as contact hours
While contact hours are traditionally associated with the number of hours that a class meets on campus, asynchronous activities can also count as contact hours under certain conditions.
Jacksonville State University (JSU) defines a credit hour as 1 contact hour (direct instruction) and a minimum of two non-contact hours (out-of-class student work or study time) per week for approximately 14 weeks. Most classes at JSU are 3 credit hours per semester, requiring 42 contact hours and 84 non-contact hours per semester, for a total of 126 hours per 3-hour class.
Instructors at JSU may engage in several asynchronous activities that can be considered equivalent to contact hours. These include video lectures, instructor-mediated online discussion forums, assignment feedback, and email responses to student inquiries. For example, an instructor may post a series of lecture videos that all students are required to watch, or they may provide feedback to students during the grading process, either through text or video.
Additionally, live required office hours held through online technologies such as chat rooms, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom can also count as asynchronous contact hours. Guided student groups, where instructors guide students through assignments or activities using online tools, are another example of asynchronous activities that can be counted as contact hours.
To count as a functional equivalent of contact time, an asynchronous activity must generally meet two criteria: it should be required for all students and involve substantive interaction with the instructor or faculty. Substantive interaction is defined as "engaging students in teaching, learning, and assessment, consistent with the content under discussion." This definition underscores the importance of meaningful engagement and interaction in asynchronous activities to ensure they provide a comparable educational value to traditional contact hours.
It is worth noting that while asynchronous activities can be valuable in supplementing traditional contact hours, a combination of synchronous and asynchronous class activities is often preferred for online and hybrid courses to provide a well-rounded educational experience.
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Contact hours include time spent in labs or class
A contact hour is a measure of the time spent in scheduled instruction for students. This includes time spent in class or in a lab. One contact hour typically constitutes one credit hour. This means that for every hour spent in class, a student will earn one credit.
The definition of a contact hour can vary depending on the format of the class. In a traditional classroom setting, a contact hour is simply the hour spent in class with an instructor. However, in online classes, there are different ways to define contact hours. In synchronous online classes, contact hours are simply the hours spent in class, similar to traditional classroom settings. In asynchronous online classes, which are more common, contact hours can include time spent on required activities such as watching lecture videos, participating in instructor-mediated discussion forums or video discussions, and receiving assignment feedback. Regularly scheduled office hours and guided student groups, which are held through online technologies, can also be considered contact hours.
The number of contact hours required for a course can vary depending on the type of course and the institution. For example, at Jacksonville State University (JSU), a typical 14-week semester requires 42 contact hours for a 3-credit hour class. This means that students spend 42 hours in class or in direct instruction for that course during the semester. However, at other institutions, the number of contact hours may be different. For example, at one institution, a 3-credit hour class may have two contact hours in a freshman lab and three contact hours in an upper-division lab.
It is important to note that contact hours are different from non-contact hours, which refer to the time students spend on out-of-class work or study. Typically, for every one hour of class (one contact hour), students are expected to spend two hours on out-of-class work, which is considered a non-contact hour. This means that for a 3-credit hour class at JSU, students would spend 42 contact hours in class and 84 non-contact hours on out-of-class work, for a total of 126 hours per semester.
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Texas public institutions of higher education have excessive hour calculations
Texas public institutions of higher education have specific guidelines regarding excessive hour calculations. These calculations take into account various factors, including the type of course, delivery format, and student engagement.
At Texas institutions, a contact hour typically refers to an hour of scheduled instruction or direct interaction between students and their instructor. This can include lectures, discussions, seminars, laboratories, studios, and private lessons, each with varying credit hour equivalents. For example, a lecture typically constitutes a 1:1 ratio of contact hours to credit hours, while a laboratory may require 2-3 contact hours for every credit hour earned. Online courses, whether synchronous or asynchronous, also influence contact hour calculations, with substantive and sustained interaction considered equivalent to contact time.
When calculating excessive hours, Texas public institutions consider courses attempted and specific types of credit hours earned. This includes hours from courses with grades on the transcript, dropped courses with specific markings ("W," "WF," or "Q"), and hours excluded from the student record due to a Fresh Start initiative. Certain credit hours, such as those earned through examinations or specific types of courses like remedial or technical education, are excluded from the excessive-hour calculation.
The University of North Texas provides insight into the implications of excessive hours. The Texas legislature has implemented measures to manage funding for semester credit hours earned by resident undergraduate students who have significantly exceeded the number of hours required for their degree program. This encourages students to efficiently complete their degree programs and prevents unnecessary accumulation of credit hours.
Additionally, Texas institutions may offer tuition reductions to students enrolled in at least 15 semester credit hours, aiming to increase average semester credit loads or improve retention and graduation rates. This incentivizes students to take on a heavier course load while potentially reducing their financial burden.
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Frequently asked questions
A contact hour is a measure of the time spent in class or in lab work. It represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students.
Credit hours refer to the number of credits a student will earn for a course. One credit hour is typically granted for satisfactory completion of one 50-minute session (contact hour) of classroom instruction per week for a semester of not less than 15 weeks.
In Texas, contact hours are used to calculate the excessive hour calculation for students at public institutions of higher education. This includes hours earned in courses with a grade on the transcript, dropped courses, and hours excluded from the student record. Additionally, certain courses that do not count toward a degree program, such as remedial education or workforce education courses funded according to contact hours, are also considered in the calculation.
