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Educational CreditsWe are sure that many people are confused when they hear about academic credits. We are using expressions "academic credits" or "educational credits", but in many other places you may hear numerous other names, such as "credit hours", "credit course", "credit", "semester credit hour", "unit", etc. We will be discussing only educational approach in two major geographical areas, United States and the Europe. All other countries can easily covert such systems into their own. Educational credit (often called “credit hour” or just “credit” or "unit") is educational unit that gives weighting to the value, level or time requirements of an academic course taken at a school or other educational institution. Based on the subject
and extend of study, student may receive from one to several
educational credits for the course learned. Educational institutions generally set a minimum number of credits required to graduate. Various systems of credits exist: one per course, one per hour/week in class, one per hour/week devoted to the course (including homework), etc. United StatesMost college and university courses are 3 Semester Credit Hours (SCH) or 45-48 contact hours. It is assumed that each in-class hour of college work should require two hours of preparation or other outside work. This approximately can be translated as 45-50 academic hours of study for each semester credit hour (educational credit). Therefore, European educational credit system and American system, both are using approximately identical number of academic hours per academic year, despite the fact that in the United States universities are counting academic year as completion of 30 educational credits (Semester Credit Hours), where each credit considered to be as student's study and work during 45-50 academic hours; but in Europe academic year consists of 60 educational credits, where each credit considered to be as student's study and work during approximately 25 academic hours. Total number of academic hours per academic year is the same in both systems. This explains the fact that during evaluation of North American education for the use in the European Union, number of educational credits received in the United States are multiplied by two. To figure a grade-point average (GPA), the grade received in each course is subject to weighting, by multiplying it by the number of credit hours. Thus, a "B" (three grade points) in a four-credit class yields 12 "quality points". When all grade points are added together and then divided by the total number of credits a student has taken, thus the GPA is obtained. Transfer credits may not be counted in the GPA. To avoid confusion in defining U.S. and European academic credits, some established American universities adopted 60 academic credits per year academic year, where each academic credit is based on approximately 25 hours of study. European Union(see also page Bologna Process) In Europe a common credit system has been introduced as a result of Bologna Process. The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is in some European countries used as the principal credit and grading system in universities, while other countries use the ECTS as a secondary credit system for exchange students. In ECTS, a full study-year normally consists of 60 credits with approximately 25 academic hours of study per each credit. ECTS grades are given in the A-E range, where F is failing. Schools are also allowed to use a pass/fail evaluation in the ECTS system. Similar systems are widely used elsewhere. Often the word "unit" is used for the same concept. Identical number of study hours in both systemsWhen we tell that our academic year has 60 academic credits, we never meant that our students need to spend more hours for study comparing to students from universities with 30 credits per year system. Commonly used 30 and 60 credits per year educational systems are in fact identical. Only difference is that in 30 credits per year system, student spends 45-50 hours for study for each academic credit. Therefore, European educational credit system and American system, both are using approximately identical number of academic hours per academic year, despite the fact that in the United States universities are counting academic year as completion of 30 educational credits (Semester Credit Hours), where each credit considered to be as student's study and work during 45-50 academic hours; but in Europe academic year consists of 60 educational credits, where each credit considered to be as student's study and work during approximately 25 academic hours. Total number of academic hours per academic year is the same in both systems. This explains the fact that during evaluation of North American education for the use in the European Union, number of educational credits received in the United States are multiplied by two. In the Holy State University we are combining the best parts of both systemsBenefits of our educational system - How fast you can study? Our answer is, as fast (or as slow) as you want. In the Holy State University, your Academic Year can be as short as 6 month, or as long as a few Calendar Years, it is up to you. Please note that you are not paying for calendar years. If it takes for you 3 years to complete 60 academic credits (required for each academic year), you are not paying for 3 years of tuition fees, but you are paying only for 1 academic year costs (because our year is academic and counts only after receiving 60 credits by student). If you managed to complete 60 credits in 6 months, you are paying the same cost per academic year (not 50% less), because in 6 months you completed requirements for full academic year (received 60 academic credits). Calculation of academic year: In compliance with Bologna Process, we are using 60 credits per year academic year system, which is similar to 30 credits per year system used in many U.S. universities and colleges. At present time, some progressive U.S. universities are also switching to 60 credits per year system that makes U.S. educational system equal to European Union system (for universities that adopted rules of Bologna Process). Number of study hours (academic hours) are identical in both approaches, the only difference is that more credits are issued for the same courses of study when 60-credits per year system is used. See our section "Educational Credits". Each student must spend on average 1500 academic hours (academic hour is equal to 50 minutes) per year for study (independent study in our university). The same number of hours per academic year applies equally regardless if students are studying in universities using system with 30 or 60 academic credits per academic year. 1500 academic hours are equal to 1250 astronomical hours (regular hours). If student will study 8 regular hours each day, then he/she can complete 60 academic credits (academic year requirement) in approximately 160 days, that represent about 5.5 months. Obviously, in usual circumstances, it is not easy to study eight hours each day, but nevertheless, it is possible for dedicated individuals.
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