Credit Hour and Delivery

Credit Hour Definition

Winebrenner awards one credit hour for 12 hours of actual class engagement and an additional 24 hours of student work outside the classroom setting, which may include but is not limited to reading, research, written assignments, and other academic exercises deemed appropriate to the subject matter. Additional hours may also include practical ministry assignments which are directly related to the subject matter of the course.

Delivery Types
  • On-Campus – Lecture or active learning takes place primarily in a physical classroom setting.
  • Online – Geographically distributed students learn from their home or office, using scheduled Teams sessions.
  • Hybrid – A combination of online and on-campus learning environments.
  • Contextual – Students learn from one or more contexts, many with supervision by a mentor, all moderated by an instructor.
  • Blended – A unique combination of settings which may include synchronous, asynchronous, field education, hands-on environments, directed learning, independent research, scholar-driven forums, student-led learning, seminars, multiple instructors or presenters, partnership with outside learning pathways.
Distance Delivery Models

The MAPT and MDiv are offered through synchronous, distance delivery (live classes online). The MACC and the DMin degree are offered primarily through synchronous, distance delivery (live classes online) with an annual summer intensive (blended).

Winebrenner Instructional Expectations

Winebrenner’s accreditation agencies and federal regulations require standardized contact hours as well as regular and substantive engagement.

The Winebrenner faculty defines contact hours as the hours spent in class for lecture, breakouts, discussions, presentations, and other personal and substantive interaction. Contact hours are further defined as intentional, carefully organized asynchronous activities where the content is best served by asynchronous instruction, but with regular and substantive engagement with the instructor. All asynchronous course design elements, except for illnesses or unplanned emergencies, are approved by the CAO.

The Winebrenner faculty defines regular interaction as:

  1. substantive interactions between the instructor and each student on a predictable and scheduled or consistent basis commensurate with course requirements according to published course expectations and deadlines; and
  2. the instructor’s monitoring of student academic engagement and success that is provided promptly and proactively by engaging in substantive interaction with the student when needed or upon request by the student.

The Winebrenner faculty defines substantive interaction as engaging students in teaching, learning, and assessment, consistent with the content under discussion, by:

  1. providing direct instruction;
  2. assessing or providing timely feedback on a student’s coursework;
  3. responding to questions or providing information about the content of a course or competency, preferably in a class setting;
  4. facilitating all group discussions directly (synchronous or asynchronous) regarding the content of a course or competency; 
  5. engaging in other instructional activities approved by Winebrenner or our three accrediting agencies.

The Winebrenner faculty affirms that class times are clearly defined in the syllabus as approved by the CAO. Classes should begin on time and instructors should arrive early enough to prepare the online class setting and greet students as they arrive.