The Carnegie rule is a
rule of thumb
In English language, English, the phrase ''rule of thumb'' refers to an approximate method for doing something, based on practical experience rather than theory. This usage of the phrase can be traced back to the 17th century and has been associat ...
suggesting how much outside-of-classroom study time is required to succeed in an average
higher education
Tertiary education (higher education, or post-secondary education) is the educational level following the completion of secondary education.
The World Bank defines tertiary education as including universities, colleges, and vocational schools ...
course in the U.S. system. Typically, the Carnegie rule is reported as two or more hours of outside work required for each hour spent in the classroom.
The idea is based on the concept of the
Carnegie Unit and Student Hour. The
United States Department of Education
The United States Department of Education is a cabinet-level department of the United States government, originating in 1980. The department began operating on May 4, 1980, having been created after the Department of Health, Education, and ...
has offered the following guidance on coursework per
credit hour
A course credit is a measure of the size of an educational course, often used to determine whether the requirements for an award have been met, to facilitate transfer between institutions, or to enhance intercomparability of qualifications. Credit ...
: "One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one
semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter-hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time."
References
Bibliography
U.C. Davis Teaching GuideDoes the Number of Hours Studied Affect Exam Performance? *
Rules of thumb
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