Registrar

Academic Credit Policy

The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) adheres to a credit policy that is consistent with the guidelines established by the New York State Education Department (NYSED), the U.S. Department of Education, and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This policy outlines the definition of credit hours, expectations for faculty and student workload, and procedures for ensuring the accurate assignment of credits to JTS courses.

Definition of Credit Hour

A credit hour at JTS is defined as the equivalent of one hour of classroom instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week over the course of a 15-week semester, or the equivalent amount of work over a different period of time as specified in the academic calendar.

The relevant NYSED regulation states, “Semester hour means a credit, point, or other unit granted for the satisfactory completion of a course which requires at least 15 hours (of 50 minutes each) of instruction and at least 30 hours of supplementary assignments, except as otherwise provided pursuant to section 52.2(c)(4) of this Subchapter. This basic measure shall be adjusted proportionately to translate the value of other academic calendars and formats of study in relation to the credit granted for study during the two semesters that comprise an academic year.”

Thus, each point of academic credit at JTS requires a minimum of three hours of total work each week in a Fall or Spring semester (i.e., a 15-week semester with 14 weeks of classes and 1 week of exams). These three hours are typically divided into one hour of classroom instruction (with an “hour of classroom” instruction defined as at least 50 minutes) and two hours of independent work (which may include readings, study time in the beit midrash, completing papers, quizzes, or other assignments, individual or group projects, and so forth).

JTS uses a comparable standard in assigning credits to its online courses, including asynchronous courses where students may progress through the lectures and other class activities at their own pace. For each credit, students are expected to spend a minimum of 45 hours over the term either in meetings with their instructor and/or classmates, fulfilling the online requirements of the course, or in reading and completing other assignments for the course.

Variations on this basic division of in-class and out-of-class work may be appropriate depending on course context and will be allowed on a case-by-case basis with appropriate justification and approval of the deans and/or Provost (see below).

Credit Assignment Process

The Office of the Provost at JTS bears responsibility for university compliance with NYSED regulations and collaborates with all JTS schools to ensure adherence to these guidelines.

The Provost’s Office delegates to the Dean of Academic Affairs and the Committee on Instruction the task of ensuring that all current and new courses are assigned an appropriate and accurate number of academic credits. The JTS Committee on Instruction is tasked with ensuring consistency of practice within and among academic programs when evaluating new course proposals and new program proposals. The Dean of Academic Affairs works in conjunction with the Registrar, the deans of each of the schools, and with area coordinators to ensure credit policies are followed and credit hour assignments are accurate for existing courses. The Dean of Academic Affairs and the Provost’s Office bear ultimate responsibility for safeguarding the integrity of the undergraduate and graduate degrees earned by our students.

Credit hour determinations are defined by minimum thresholds. Course credits assigned indicate the minimum number of hours expected for engagement with the course’s materials. There may be reasonable variation in actual workloads above this minimum at the discretion of the Committee on Instruction and Dean of Academic Affairs.

Instructor Responsibility

JTS instructors are expected to design their course(s) to conform with the JTS Credit Policy and other academic policies at JTS. Each course syllabus should clearly specify the expected student learning outcomes, the methods of assessment, and the expected workload, including the distribution of in-class and out-of-class activities. Instructors are responsible for ensuring that their courses adhere to this policy.

Exceptions and Variances

Any exceptions to this credit hour policy require approval from the appropriate academic department and, if necessary, the Office of Academic Affairs at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Variances may be granted in exceptional circumstances, provided that they are in compliance with applicable accreditation and regulatory standards.

Contact

The Jewish Theological Seminary is committed to maintaining academic rigor and integrity in all its programs. This credit hour policy serves as a foundation for ensuring that courses are designed and delivered in a manner consistent with recognized educational standards and the institution’s mission.

For any questions or concerns regarding this credit hour policy, please contact the Registrar’s Office, the Dean of Academic Affairs, the Provost’s Office, or the Office of Academic Affairs at the Jewish Theological Seminary.