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Academic Policies

SUNY Oswego calculates credit hours in accordance with the State University of New York (SUNY) Credit Hour Policy, applicable to both Community Colleges and State-Operated campuses.

U.S. Department of Education Policy

Defined by Title 34, Section 600.2 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations:

  • 1 credit hour = 1 hour of direct instruction + 2 hours of outside work weekly for 15 weeks
  • Applies to all types of academic work (e.g., labs, internships, studio work)

SUNY Policy

The University adopts a version of the Carnegie Unit known as the semester credit hour, which represents:

  • One 50-minute class session per week over a 15-week semester
  • Plus two hours of outside preparation per session

NYS Education Department Policy

As per Title 8, Section 50.1(o) of NYSED regulations:

  • 1 semester hour = 15 instructional hours + 30 hours of supplementary assignments
  • Modifications must follow Section 52.2(c)(4) guidelines

Time on Task

SUNY Oswego complies with NYSED policies on “Time on Task” for online education: 

  • Total learning time for 1 credit hour = 15 instructional hours + 30 hours of student work.

SUNY Oswego Guidelines and Procedures

Course Review Process

Registrar’s Role

Courses approved are sent to the Registrar for inclusion in the College Catalog. Schedules are checked for compliance with assigned credit hours before each semester begins.

Instructional Types and Credit Hour Equivalency

  • Accelerated Courses
    Offered during non-standard terms (e.g., Summer/Winter), must meet the same instructional and student work time requirements as standard 15-week courses.
  • Hybrid Courses
    Combines online and on-site components. Both are evaluated for total instructional and student work time to ensure compliance.
  • Independent Study
    Involves periodic faculty contact and assigned work. Records must support equivalent total instructional and student work hours.
  • Internship/Practica/Field Experience
    Includes off-campus learning with site supervision. Faculty must document contact time and assigned work to meet hour equivalencies.
  • Laboratory
    1 credit = 100 minutes/week of instructor time + 50 minutes/week of outside work
    Total = 37.5 hours over 15 weeks
  • Lecture and Seminar
    1 credit = 50 minutes/week of instructor-led time + 100 minutes/week of outside work
    Total = 37.5 hours for 1 credit over 15 weeks
  • Online Courses
    Fully online with equivalent learning outcomes. Contact time may include:
    • Weekly faculty interaction
    • Online discussions, tutorials, group projects
    • Graded assignments like presentations, virtual labs

Room Reservations

Room reservations can be made online at ems.oswego.edu. All classroom changes should be submitted through the department by email to [email protected]. Here are instructions to find an alternative classroom:

  • Go to events.oswego.edu
  • Click the head icon in the upper right to log in using your Laker Net ID and Email password
  • Select "Locations" in the left-hand navigation
  • In the "Date" field, select a date within the same day of the week as your course
  • Click "Add/Remove Locations", then in the pop-up, choose the "Views" tab
  • Select "General use classrooms" and click "Update Locations"

General Information

Advisor Resources
Faculty Resources

Faculty Resources:

  • Accessing your myOswego account - Faculty Authorization form (new/updated account), see below for details
  • myOswego: Class List overview
  • myOswego Faculty Grade Entry: One-page overview (pdf), overview and instructions (pdf)
  • myOswego Faculty Grade Entry: Importing Grades (pdf)
  • CELT video: Brightspace export form importing to myOswego — video (text version)
  • myOswego Grade Change Form for submitting grade or Incomplete Extension date changes — instructors must enter the student ID and CRN, and submit the form for Chair and Dean approval
  • Faculty drop form — Students with two unexcused absences during the first two classes may be dropped at the instructor’s discretion. Oswego email must be open in the same browser
  • Registration Overrides — Instructor-performed overrides in myOswego for Instructor Permission, Classification restriction, and Time Conflict
  • Registration: Independent Study / Research / Teaching Assistant UG add form, Graduate Independent Study form. Oswego email required
  • Registration: ADD Request — override form for faculty. Email must be open; use LATE ADD form if outside add period
  • Registration: LATE ADD Request — after add period; requires Dean approval and incurs a fee
  • Registration Audit Request — form available during the ADD period for students auditing a course
  • Faculty/staff handbook
  • High School Faculty course assignment form
  • High School Faculty Login Instructions
  • Starfish information

Contact

Phone: 315.312.2136

Email: [email protected]

Office Hours

Mon-Fri 8 am–4:00 pm 
Phone Availability: Mon–Fri, 8:15 am–3:45pm

The Registrar's Office operates remotely on Fridays from June 6 to August 8.

Mailing Address

Registrar's Office
301 Culkin Hall
7060 State Route 104
Oswego, NY 13126