How to Assign High School Credit for Coursework

Assigning high school credit can be done using a few different methods, depending on the type of course, curriculum used, and the learning style of your student. The most commonly accepted standard is:

One full credit = 120 to 180 hours of work.

The range allows flexibility for different course types and levels:

• 120 hours – Typical for elective courses
  
  

• 150 hours – Standard for core academic subjects
  
  

• 180 hours – Used for honors or advanced-level courses
  
  

You can choose from the following credit assignment methods:

1. Content-Based Credits

This method is most often used when the course comes with a structured curriculum that already designates the credit value.

Example:
If a textbook or online course states it equals 1.0 credit for a full year, you may assign that credit upon successful completion—even if it takes less or more time to finish.

2. Time-Based Credits

If you are creating your own course or using loosely structured materials, you can assign credit based on time spent.

General guideline:

• 1.0 credit = 120–180 hours of instruction and work
  
  

• 0.5 credit = 60–90 hours (typically one semester)
  
  

Use a time log or calendar to track hours if you choose this method.

3. Mastery-Based Credits

In this approach, you assign credit when your student demonstrates a strong understanding of the material, regardless of how long it took.

This is a good option for students working ahead of grade level or learning at an accelerated pace.

How to Report Semester Credit

For year-long courses that span two semesters:

• Report 0.5 credit per semester
  
  

• At the end of the fall semester, you can mark the course as “In Progress” if no grade is assigned yet.
  
  

• When the course is completed in spring, update the fall grade and report the final 0.5 credit for spring.