When you sign up for classes in college, you might see the term “credit hours.” Credit hours refers to the number of credits you’ll receive if you complete the class, which can then be put towards your graduation requirements. However, it can get a little confusing – this article reviews everything you need to know about credit hours, part time vs. full time students, transferring credits, and more.
What Are Credit Hours?
Credit hours are the number of credits you receive for completing a course with a passing grade at the end of the semester. These credits then go towards your degree. If your school requires 6 elective math credits, two math classes worth 3 credits each, or 3 credit hours, will meet this requirement.
Credit hours also refer to the number of hours you’ll spend in the classroom, but some schools can call this time period “contact hours.”
For example, in an undergraduate setting:
- If you have a 3-credit English course, you will be in that class 3 hours a week.
- If you have a 4 credit History course, you will be in that class 4 hours a week.
- If you have a 3 credit Science course with a 1 credit lab, you will be in the Science course for 3 hours a week and in the lab 1 hour a week.
There are some exceptions to this “rule.” Labs, fieldwork, and internships don’t always transfer 1:1 between credit hours and contact hours.
The number of credits you need per semester depends on whether you’re a part time or full time student, your graduation goals, and your degree level.
How Many Credit Hours Do You Need To Graduate?
The amount of credit hours you need to graduate depends on the degree you’re pursuing. This table breaks it down clearly:
| Degree Achievement | Credit Hours Required | Number Classes Required (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Associate's Degree | 60 hours | 20 Classes |
| Bachelor's Degree | 120 hours | 40 Classes |
| Master's Degree | 30 - 60 hours | 10 - 20 Classes (Depending on Program) |
Whether you’re attending college as a part time or full time student, the amount of required credit hours remain the same. If you’re attending college full time, an Associate’s degree should take 2 years, a Bachelor’s 4 years, and a Master’s 2 years to complete.
Part Time vs. Full Time Students
The amount of credit hours you should take per semester depends on if you are a part time or full time student and your graduation timeline and goals.
Part time vs. full time refers to the number of credit hours the student is taking a semester. It impacts the graduation timeline.
Full Time
Students have to take at least 12 credits per semester at most colleges and universities to be considered “full time,” but most average 15 per semester. Full-time students taking 12 to 15 credits a semester usually graduate within four to six years.
Here are some facts to note about attending school full time:
- To earn a bachelor’s degree in 4 years, students need to take an average of 15 credits per semester.
- Most schools don’t allow students to take more than 18 credits per semester without prior approval.
- Scholarships that are for both full time and part time students will usually grant more money to those taking more credits.
Part Time
Part time students will take 11 or fewer credit hours each semester. They’re welcome to take as few courses as they’d like, but the less credits each semester, the longer it takes to graduate with a degree.
These are a few quick facts about part time attendance:
- For some state grants and scholarships, part time students will have to take at least 6 credit hours per semester to qualify for the award.
- Part time students miss out on some scholarships that require full time status, and loans and grant offers are more limited.
- Taking too long to get a degree can result in some types of credits (such as from STEM-related courses), expiring.
Can You Switch Between Full Time and Part Time?
Switching from part time to full time status is generally easier than switching from full time to part time.
4-year colleges and universities often require you to notify them before you take fewer than 12 credits. However, dorm rooms are usually reserved for full time students, so if you’re switching to a part time status, you could be asked to leave campus. You will also lose out on any scholarships, grants, or loans that require full time status.
Most schools allow part time students to attend college full time, but they’ll also have to notify the college. Ask about any benefits of the switch, such as dorm rooms, schedule priority, and scholarships.
How Many Undergraduate Credits Should You Take Per Semester?
The exact amount of credit hours you should take depends on your graduation goals, available time, and more.
1. Your Graduation Plan
How long do you want to be in college? Most full-time students want to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in four years. If you take 15 credits each semester, you can get to 120 credits in eight semesters – or four years.
Depending on your circumstances, your odds of graduating may be in about four years. If you are taking 15 credits each semester, you can get to 120 credits in 8 semesters and likely graduate. Finding balance with your course schedule can help you keep on top of all of your work.
If you want to graduate with an associate’s degree in the recommended two years, you’ll also need 15 credit hours each semester on average to stay on track for 60 total credits.
This chart shows you how to stay on track for graduation in two or four years.
| Year in College | Credit Hour Requirements |
|---|---|
| Freshman | 0 - 30 |
| Sophomore | 31 - 60 |
| Junior | 61 - 90 |
| Senior | 91 - 120 |
Part time, however, is more difficult to put into a chart because there is no specific timeline students have to adhere to graduate “on time.” Students are invited to work on their own timelines.
For example, a student earning their Associate’s with 6 credit hours on average per semester should see their degree in 5 years. For those taking 9 credit hours on average, they may see their Associate’s in 3 and a half years.
2. Tuition Consideration
Tuition costs can change depending on whether you’re attending college full or part time. It also impacts eligibility for scholarships and grants, dorm rooms, and more. If you’re not quite sure how many classes you’d like to take per semester, compare costs between the two.
3. Your Schedule
Your schedule could dictate how much time you have for classes. If you have kids, a job, or other responsibilities, you might not be able to enroll as a full-time student. However, you could graduate faster by taking J-Term and summer courses to make up for some of the lost time.
Can You Transfer Credit Hours?
Transferring schools doesn’t mean you’re out of luck for the credit hours you’ve already earned! Before transferring, you should always talk to your guidance counselor or academic advisor to understand the proper procedures.
Here are three different scenarios where you can transfer your credits:
1. Transferring Colleges
Transferring colleges mid-degree doesn’t mean you necessarily lose out on the credits you have already earned at your first school. If you’ve already received 60 credits at your first school, it’s entirely likely your new school will accept those credits.
However, there are restrictions:
- Not all colleges will accept credit transfers from all other schools. Always reach out to the school you’re considering before you commit to the switch.
- Some classes don’t have equivalents at the new school and the student may receive elective credit rather than core credits in this case. Other courses may not have a 1:1 translation. You could receive core credits at your new college, but it may be worth 3 rather than the original 4.
- Lower grades can result in a credit not transferring, or it may count as an elective rather than a core credit.
- If you’re switching from part time to full time and have taken a while with your education, older credits might not transfer. For instance, some STEM courses tend to “expire” after 7 to 10 years. This depends on the school.
- Most colleges and universities only transfer up to 90 credits for bachelor’s degrees, so you’ll lose out on any past that amount.
2. Earning a Bachelor’s After an Associate’s
Many students first go to a community college to earn an associate’s degree and later transfer to a 4-year program for their bachelor’s. 4-year colleges and universities will count your associate’s credits towards the bachelor’s, so you don’t have to start from zero. You’ll begin as a junior in the new college.
3. Transferring High School College Credits
Most high schools offer dual college classes through community colleges or Advanced Placement (AP) courses. A majority of colleges and universities accept these transferring credits. These advanced classes are an excellent way to get ahead of your college requirements, saving you money and time in the long run.
Keep in mind that you’ll have to earn a 4 or 5 on the AP test in order to receive 1:1 credit for the course. If you score a 3, you’ll get elective credit. A 1 or 2 means you won’t receive any credit hours.
Credit hours can seem confusing at first, but they’re pretty straightforward once you understand how they relate to your college degree requirements. If you’re ever unsure about degree requirements, credit hours, or transferring credits, talk to your academic advisor for more information.
Want to find the perfect college that accepts your high school college and AP credits? College Raptor can help with College Match. See how it works today!
