Award of College Credit

As per IRSC District Board of Trustees 6Hx11-5.21 policy, Indian River State College is authorized to provide instruction and to confer degrees, certificates, and diplomas. IRSC programs shall be offered at the standard credit hour length, established and approved by the State Board of Education. SB Rule 6A-14.030 defines credit as the following:

1. College credit. College credit is the type of credit assigned by IRSC to courses or course equivalent learning that is part of an organized and specified program leading to a baccalaureate, associate degree, technical certificate, or Applied Technology Diploma pursuant to the stipulations in subsections (2) through (9). One (1) college credit is based on the learning expected from the equivalent of fifteen (15) fifty-minute periods of classroom instruction; with credits for such activities as laboratory instruction, internships, and clinical experience determined by the institution based on the proportion of direct instruction to the laboratory exercise, internship hours, or clinical practice hours.

a. Lower division college credit. Lower division college credit is assigned to college credit courses offered to freshmen and sophomores (1,000 and 2,000 level courses).

b. Upper division college credit. Upper division college credit is assigned to college credit courses offered to juniors and seniors (3,000 and 4,000 level courses).

2. Clock Hour. A clock hour is the unit assigned to courses or course equivalent learning that is part of an organized and specified program leading to an Applied Technology Diploma or a Career and Technical Certificate, also known as a Vocational Certificate. It applies to postsecondary adult career courses as defined in Section 1004.02(25), F.S. One (1) clock hour is based on the learning expected from the equivalent of thirty (30) hours of instruction.

3. Developmental credit. Developmental credit is the type of credit assigned by IRSC to courses that provide degree seeking students who wish to enroll in college credit courses with additional academic preparation determined to be needed pursuant to Rule 6A-10.0315, F.A.C. One (1) developmental credit is based on the learning expected from the equivalent of fifteen (15) fifty-minute periods of classroom instruction.

4. Institutional credit. Institutional credit is postsecondary credit that is competency-based. Institutional credit is not guaranteed to automatically transfer.

5. Noncredit. Noncredit is a term indicating that credit, as defined herein, is not awarded. It applies to the instructional classifications of noncredit continuing education, adult general education, citizenship, recreational, community education, and community instructional services. The unit of measure is hours of instruction.