Unit of Credit
Definitions of credit hours and expected study workloads at Calwest University.
Calwest University defines credit hours in accordance with standard graduate-level expectations for both coursework and research programs. The following definitions apply to all programs offered by the University.
Graduate Learning — MBA Program
The MBA program comprises 36 credit hours of graduate-level coursework. Each 3-credit course represents a substantial unit of learning including reading, assessment preparation, and online engagement with course materials.
The total expected student workload across the MBA program is approximately 4,500 hours of study. This includes time spent accessing online materials, completing topic quizzes, undertaking final assessments, and engaging with research activities where applicable.
Doctoral Learning — DBA Program
The DBA program comprises 60 credit hours of doctoral-level study, encompassing both coursework and a substantial research thesis component. The thesis requires original research resulting in a document of 25,000 to 50,000 words.
The total expected student workload across the DBA program is approximately 10,000 hours of study. This reflects the significant research, writing, and critical analysis required at doctoral level.
Credit Hour Definition
A credit hour at Calwest University represents a minimum of one hour of direct instruction or the equivalent in online learning, plus a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks per semester, or the equivalent amount of work over a different period of time. For online courses, equivalent academic engagement is assessed through course completion, quiz performance, and final assessments.
