Semester hours are counted in a college or university education.
A semester hour is defined as a unit of academic credit that represents hours spent in a class or lecture or hours of laboratory work in a degree or certificate program. A semester is the period of time during which a student completes a class. Semester hours vary by school and academic program. The hours are counted when a passing grade or satisfactory evaluation is met.
History
Semester hours were created to add depth to the credits given in a degree or certificate program. A credit defines the points given for a class taken. Each school is different as to how it distributes the semester hours earned. At Penn State, 40 semester hours represent one credit. This can include time inside and outside the classroom. The time counted outside the classroom varies by the type of course.
Types
There are different categories counted within semester hours. Among the different variations in the way hours are counted is classroom work. This includes the lecture, the time the professor or instructor takes to give information on a topic. The typical lecture can range from one hour to four hours, depending on the length of the program and days per week that a student attends the class. Outside work can also be counted toward semester hours. This can include workplace training at a full-time job or an internship. It's also possible that volunteer hours in the field of study can also be counted toward the semester hours total. Laboratory (Lab) or clinical work also qualifies. Lab work can include experiments on substances, and working with patients.
Benefits
The benefits of gaining semester hours are that a student can earn a degree or certificate from a higher learning institution or trade school. The semester hours equal credits earned, and the opportunity for graduation. In a typical degree program the classes range from two to four credits with a total of 120 to 135 credits needed to graduate with a degree.
Effects
The effects of accumulating semester hours can have a great impact on the life of a student. This can include relocation to another geographic area for work purposes, earning income in a higher income bracket, or promotion in their current job or career. Semester hours are important for those desiring to work in fields where training hours are extremely important. These include the medical field or aviation. In these particular fields of study, the experience and qualifications for jobs and internships are directly related to the amount of hours spent practicing and studying material in the classroom and in the field.
Expert Insight
The College Board, a site for students interested in higher education, recommends using thought, effort and organization when choosing a school and course of study. This includes keeping track of applications, and learning the proper way to write admission essays. It's important to avoid attending the wrong school for the prospective field of study desired. A transfer to a different school can delay graduation.
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