Attendance & Absences

Check the University Catalog

UD's Academic Catalog outlines the University Attendance Policies for Undergraduates.

The section Class Attendance discusses policies related to excused absences.

Questions?   Contact your Assistant Dean's Office

If a student needs to contact their Assistant Dean's Office related to attendance or an absence, please see this contact list of Student Service / Assistant Deans' Offices.

University of Delaware Credit Hour Policy

For each credit hour in the classroom, it is recommended that a student spend a minimum of two hours on course-related work outside of the classroom. An equivalent amount of work is expected in lab, studio, independent study and online courses.

The academic year typically consists of two semesters that are 15 weeks, including a one-week exam period, and a five-week winter session (4-1-4). In a 15-week term, one lecture (taught), seminar (discussion), or online (taken) credit hour represents 1 hour per week of scheduled class/seminar time and 2 hours of student preparation time outside of class. A lecture, seminar, or online course awarded 3 credit hours represents 45 hours of class time and at least 90 hours of student preparation time over the term. Summer, winter and online program terms are typically less than 15 weeks, but adhere to the credit hour policy in terms of total meeting time and the total amount of work required. Thus courses that meet fewer than 15 weeks must include proportionately more in class time and out-of-class student preparation time per week.

One 15-week laboratory credit hour represents 1 hour per week of lecture or discussion time plus 1-2 hours per week of scheduled supervised or independent laboratory work, and 2 hours of student preparation time.

One credit hour for 15 weeks of visual or performing arts studio, supervised student teaching, supervised clinical rounds, field work, independent study, etc. represents 3-4 hours per week of supervised and/or independent practice. This in turn represents between 45 and 60 hours of work per 15-week semester.