Credit

From CarlWiki

Credit, shorthand for "academic credit," also known as "course credit," is the unit accumulated by students in order to meet requirements, earn majors, and graduate. Most standard 10-week classes are worth six credits, and most 5-week classes are worth three credits. Classes that meet less often can be worth two credits or even one credit. Some extracurricular activities, notably Carleton Players, can also be worth a single credit. This system is common among colleges like Carleton that are on trimesters, whereas semester-based schools normally use 4 credits as the normal level of credit for a typical course. Carleton defines its credit as 3 1/3 semester credits or 5 quarter credits.

Not all credits need be earned at Carleton College. Transfer students normally bring in a number of credits from their original school, and certain scores on AP and IB tests can qualify for academic credits. Off-campus study programs, administered either by Carleton or another accredited college, can count for academic credit. Carleton also has an agreement with St. Olaf, allowing Carls to take classes across the river and vice versa.

Currently, every enrolled student must take at least 12 credits per term to remain enrolled, but no more than 22. By a special petition, a student may take 24 credits in one term. This is not common, but neither is it especially rare. The normal course load is 18 credits (three classes).

The college also has progress requirements for each academic year to ensure that most students graduate within the allotted four years. These requirements are 42 credits by the end of freshman year (or the first three terms); 96 credits by the end of sophomore year (or the first six terms); and 150 credits by the end of junior year (or the first nine terms). Failing to meet these or the GPA requirements may result in suspension or expulsion from Carleton College. Students must accumulate at least 210 credits to graduate.

• 1-credit classes include seminars and musical groups.
• 2-credit classes include music lessons (30 minutes sessions) and some science labs.
• 3-credit classes are usually full time classes that meet for only 5 weeks.
• 4-credit classes are usually music lessons (1 hour sessions).
• 5-credit classes are rarely, if ever, offered.
• 6-credit classes are normal classes.