Credit Hour Policy

In accordance with US Federal Government guidelines, one credit hour at The American University of Paris represents one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two to three hours of out-of-classroom student work. The American University of Paris holds two fifteen-week semesters, one six-week summer term, and two three-week intensive summer terms. The class period is specified at one hour twenty minutes during fall and spring semesters. The class period during the six-week summer term is specified at one hour forty minutes. The class period during either of the three-week summer terms is specified at three hours thirty minutes. 

For a small number of courses in certain disciplines, additional contact time is required for an equivalent number of awarded credits. While the University offers a variety of course scheduling formats, each is held to the minimum number of contact hours per credit awarded (37.5 contact hours minimum for one four-credit course). A standard class period during the regular semester is 80 minutes and the mandatory exam period is 150 minutes. Further details on AUP’s credit hour policy can be found on the Academic Policies and Procedures page on our website.