The unit of credit used in Rutgers registration is based in part upon a measure of time, with 1 credit equal to one hour of class time plus two hours of preparation per week through a 15-week semester; thus a 3-credit course implies that a qualified and competent student should require an average of perhaps nine hours a week (including both classroom and preparation time) to carry out the work expected. Students should not expect to carry a full-time job while attending classes on a full-time basis. A full-time program averages 15 credits a semester. Students must register for a minimum of 6 credits.
In order to obtain a Rutgers master of social work degree (M.S.W.), a student must take a minimum of 37 credits "in residence."
