Credit

A credit is the standard unit of measurement for educational attainment at Knox.

Credits vs. Credit-Hours

Most schools use a credit-hour system to determine course credits, with the credit count corresponding to the amount of class time per week. Thus, at those schools, a class that meets three hours a week is a three-credit course. Knox simply uses the credit to denote a class, such that most classes typically equal one credit, regardless of the time spent in class (which varies, due to anomalies in the period schedule). Some classes, such as workshops, are .5 credit. Other classes, often those with a travel component such as PREC 319 (London Arts Alive), are 1.5 credit. Student teaching (EDUC 340) is worth 3 credits. Independent study and similar arrangements can be either .5 or 1 credit.

Full Load and Overload

A full load for one term is between 2.5 and 3.5 credits (the typical total is 3 credits). Below 2.5 credits a student is considered part-time; above 3.5 credits a student must pay an overload fee of $1,530 per half-credit.

Class Standing and Graduation Requirements

Approximately 36 credits, whether earned at Knox or transferred in, are required to graduate.

The class standing breakdown is as follows:

• Students with less than 9.0 credits are labelled first-years
• Students with 9.0 to 17.5 credits are sophomores
• Students with 18.0 to 26.5 credits are juniors
• Students with 27.0 or more credits are seniors

This is irrespective of the actual planned graduation year of a student, so a first-year who plans to graduate in four years but comes in with a year of high school transfer credit is considered a sophomore from matriculation and will be a senior for two years.

With high enough Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate scores, students may earn credit towards certain courses, and as a result may enter with sophomore standing without having taken any previous college courses.