Course Credits

How many credits should I aim for each semester?

A general rule of thumb is to aim for 30 credits per year or 15 credits per semester.  If you stay on this track, you will earn 120 credits in four years (15 credits x 8 semesters = 120 credits). You need a minimum of 120 credits to graduate. 

In order to remain a full-time student, you must be registered for at least 12 credits each semester. To be considered a full-time student during the fall or spring semester, you must be enrolled in 12-18 credits.

Please keep in mind that these credits must be requirements for your degree. If you choose to take classes that do not satisfy degree requirements, these credits are considered elective credits. In this case, you may need to take more than 120 credits in order to graduate.

What is the difference between credits and hours?

Credits and hours are different terms for the same thing. Sometimes you will hear credits, sometimes you will hear hours, and sometimes you will hear credit hours. These all refer to the same thing.

How do I know how many credits I have?

You can always monitor your degree progress by viewing your progress report in Self-Service. You can see how many credits you are enrolled in and how many credits you have earned at the top of your progress bar.

How do summer courses impact my credits?

Taking courses during the summer can be a great way to catch up or get ahead on credits. Summer course credits count toward the previous academic year when you are considering financial aid requirements. If you are interested in taking summer classes at CCU, you can visit CCU's Summer Study website. If you are interested in taking summer courses at another institution and transferring the credit back to CCU, consult your academic advisor.