On a transcript, earned hours represent the academic credit hours a student has successfully completed. These are the hours for which a passing grade, specifically a grade of D or higher, or a Satisfactory (S) grade, has been received. Earned hours are a crucial indicator of a student's progress toward graduation and degree completion.
Understanding Earned Hours
Earned hours signify the academic work for which a student has demonstrated sufficient proficiency to receive credit. They are distinct from attempted hours, which might include courses that were failed or withdrawn from.
Key characteristics of earned hours include:
- Passing Grades: Only courses where a student achieves a grade of D or better, or a grade of S (Satisfactory), count towards earned hours.
- Exclusions: Certain types of courses are typically excluded from earned hours, even if passed. These often include:
- Learning Support classes: Courses designed to provide foundational skills rather than college-level academic credit.
- Regents' Remediation classes: Similar to learning support, these are foundational courses required to prepare students for college-level coursework.
- Purpose: Earned hours are essential for monitoring academic progress, determining eligibility for graduation, and meeting specific program requirements.
Earned Hours vs. GPA Hours
It's common for transcripts to list different types of hours, which can sometimes be confusing. While earned hours focus on successful completion for credit, GPA hours serve a different purpose, primarily calculating a student's Grade Point Average.
Here's a breakdown of the differences:
| Feature | Earned Hours | GPA Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Hours successfully passed (D or higher, or S). | Total number of graded academic hours the student has attempted. |
| Inclusions | Only courses with passing grades (D+, S, etc.). | All graded academic hours, including F grades. |
| Exclusions | Learning Support, Regents' Remediation classes, and failed/withdrawn courses. | Excludes Incomplete (I) and Withdrawal (W) grades, but includes failing grades. |
| Primary Use | Tracking progress towards graduation requirements and degree completion. | Calculating the student's Grade Point Average (GPA). |
For example, if a student attempts 15 credit hours but fails a 3-credit course, their GPA hours would still be 15 (as the F grade is included in GPA calculation), but their earned hours would only be 12.
Why Earned Hours Matter
Earned hours are a fundamental component of a student's academic record, serving several critical functions:
- Graduation Requirements: Universities set minimum earned hour requirements for degree conferral. Students must accumulate a specific number of earned hours to graduate.
- Financial Aid Eligibility: Many financial aid programs have "satisfactory academic progress" (SAP) requirements, which often include earning a certain percentage of attempted hours.
- Academic Standing: Institutions may use earned hours to determine a student's academic standing (e.g., good standing, probation).
- Transfer Credits: When transferring to another institution, earned hours from previous colleges are evaluated to determine how much credit can be applied to a new degree program.
Understanding the concept of earned hours on your transcript empowers you to accurately track your academic journey and ensure you are on the right path to achieving your educational goals.
