What Is a College Credit Class?

A college credit class is a course that students take for college academic credit, with a certain number of the credits being necessary for graduation. A college or university must grant the college credit for a college credit class.

Defined

College credit refers to the number of semester hours or quarter hours that each college credit course is awarded by a degree-granting college or university. In the United States, a typical associate's degree would include a minimum of 60 credits, and a typical bachelor's degree would include a minimum of 120 credits.

Grading

College credit classes receive a grade, such as Pass or Fail, or a traditional letter grade, such as A, B, C, D or F.

Formats

College credit classes are offered in several formats, including partnerships with secondary schools and through distance-learning programs, away from the traditional college campus.

High School Enrollment

Many universities and colleges in the United States offer college credit classes to high school students on their own high school campuses or through arrangements in which the students attend classes on the college campus.

Adult Basic Education

In the United States, adult basic education instructors may work with local community colleges to help bridge the gap for adults finishing their high school education or general education diploma who want to transfer their skills to college credit classes.

Audit

College credit classes taken with the non-graded option of the "audit" do not result in academic credit.

References

• National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy
• City University of New York