Academics

Paris College of Art offers degree programs based on the American system of education, in which students who successfully complete four years of study receive a Bachelor's Degree. In addition to our degree programs we offer Certificate, Study Abroad/Exchange, and Summer programs. In all of these programs students earn "academic credit" for courses they successfully complete. Credit load is calculated based on the number of in-class hours and the amount of homework required.

> One credit requires one hour of direct face-to-face instruction per week over the course of 15 weeks, and at least double that time of independent work outside direct instruction time. Within that general framework, we distinguish between studio credits, non-studio credits, independent study credits and summer credits.
> Studio credits are attributed in classes requiring the creation of artwork, and because such creation typically involves specific tools, equipment, and space needs, the amount of direct instructional time in the classroom is longer and the amount of independent work expected outside of class shorter, than for non-studio credits. All of our degree courses run for 15 weeks (15 weeks in the fall and 15 weeks in the spring). Studio classes typically meet for 5 hours per week. For 1 studio credit we expect 25 hours of in-class instruction and an equivalent amount of work outside of class.
> Non-studio credits require more outside student work than do studio classes: independent library research, reading and writing assignments, data collection, visits to exhibits on which students write reviews and reports, etc. For 1 non-studio credit we currently expect 12.5 hours of in-class instruction and more than double that amount of independent work outside of class for a total of 45 hours of work per credit. In class-time instructional time will be increased to 15 hours in Fall 2013.
> Independent study credits are based on the same framework of 15 hours of direct instruction and a minimum of 30 hours of independent work per credit over the course of the semester. Because of the particular nature of independent study projects however it is not expected that the direct instruction take place every week.
> Summer credits: Summer courses are more concentrated than courses during the academic year and students meet with faculty and receive direct instruction for longer periods each day, making it less realistic to require large amounts of independent work outside of class. A 2-week, 2-credit summer class thus requires 70 hours of direct instructional time and 20 hours of independent work on evenings and weekends, for a total of 90 hours of work (30 per credit).

Credit hour assignments are made based on time requirements and levels of achievement expected from the student, and must be consistent with the learning objectives, syllabus content and assignments for each course. Credit is earned only when curricular, competency, and all other requirements are met and the final examination is satisfactorily passed and the final grade is passing.