Course Workload Estimator

Keeping your course engaging without overwhelming your students can be a difficult balance to strike! Avoid the dreaded “course and a half” syndrome by ensuring your workload is just right. Enter your course’s readings, assignments, and activities into the tool below to get a quick estimate of how much time students will need outside of class. The calculator can help keep your course balanced and your students on track.

For a 3-credit course, no matter how long it runs, students should be engaged in about 135 hours of learning activities. Whether your course is online, blended, or face-to-face, and regardless of the types of assignments or activities, the total learning time should align with the Carnegie unit guidelines, referenced in . Use the calculator to help you determine if you have a sufficient amount of work in your course.