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 OP 04.12. Use the calculator to help you determine if you have a sufficient amount of work in your course.