Carteret Community College operates on the semester system. The fall and spring semesters are sixteen (16) weeks each in length; summer term may be eight (8) or nine (9) weeks in length (total hours are equivalent to a sixteen-week semester). The College is in session six (6) days per week during the fall and spring semesters and four (4) days per week during the summer term.
Courses are defined by the use of credit hours. A credit hour is a unit of measure representing an hour (50 minutes) of instruction over a 16-week period in a semester. It is applied toward the total number of hours needed for completing the requirements of a degree, diploma, or certificate.
In compliance with the State Board of Community Colleges Code 1G SBCCC 100.1(1), the formula for computation of credit hour equivalency is as follows:
16 class hours = 1 credit hour
32 experiential lab hours = 1 credit hour
48 hours of faculty-directed lab work = 1 credit hour
48 hours of clinical practice = 1 credit hour
160 hours of work experience = 1 credit hour
320 hours of work experience = 2 credit hours
These regulations apply regardless of course level or method of delivery. Method of delivery includes traditional, web-supported, hybrid, Internet, and modular instruction.
Definition of Terms:
Class hour means lecture and other classroom instruction under the supervision of an instructor.
Experiential laboratory work means instruction given to a student by an instructor to increase the student’s knowledge and skills without immediate student application.
Faculty-directed lab work involves structured and coordinated demonstration by an instructor with immediate student application.
Clinical practice is a structured, faculty–directed learning experience in a health sciences program which develops job proficiency. Clinical practice requires significant preparation, coordination and scheduling by the faculty and is under the supervision of an instructor or preceptor who is qualified for the particular program.
Work experience includes cooperative education, practicums and internships. Work experience involves the development of job skills by providing the student with employment that is directly related to, and coordinated with the educational program. Student activity in work experience is planned and coordinated by a College representative, and the employer is responsible for the control and supervision of the student on the job.