Curriculum Hours Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the curriculum hours calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Curriculum Hours Calculator

Formulas Used

Total Curriculum Hours

total_hours = num_courses * weekly_per_course * weeks

Weekly Contact Hours

weekly_hours = num_courses * weekly_per_course

Hours per Course

hours_per_course = weekly_per_course * weeks

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
num_coursesNumber of Courses8
hours_per_sessionHours per Session1.5
sessions_per_weekSessions per Week (per course)2
weeksWeeks in Term16
weekly_per_courseDerived value= hours_per_session * sessions_per_weekcalculated

How It Works

How to Calculate Curriculum Hours

Total instructional hours measure the amount of contact time in a program.

Formula

Total Hours = Courses x Hours per Session x Sessions per Week x Weeks

Standards

  • One credit hour = 15-16 contact hours per semester
  • A 3-credit course = ~48 contact hours
  • Full-time semester (15 credits) = ~240 contact hours

    • Worked Example

    8 courses, 1.5 hours per session, 2 sessions/week, 16 weeks.

    num_courses = 8hours_per_session = 1.5sessions_per_week = 2weeks = 16
    1. 01Weekly per course = 1.5 x 2 = 3 hours
    2. 02Weekly total = 8 x 3 = 24 hours
    3. 03Hours per course = 3 x 16 = 48 hours
    4. 04Total curriculum = 8 x 3 x 16 = 384 hours

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is a contact hour?

    A contact hour is one hour of instructor-led teaching. Typically, 1 credit hour equals 50 minutes of contact time per week for 15 weeks.

    How do labs affect curriculum hours?

    Lab sessions are typically longer (2-3 hours) but may earn fewer credits. A 1-credit lab might have 3 contact hours per week.

    What about online courses?

    Online courses must meet the same contact hour requirements, but instruction may include asynchronous activities like videos, discussions, and assignments.

    Ready to run the numbers?

    Open Curriculum Hours Calculator