The APUS Student Handbook provides the following guidelines on expected course load. Consult the course syllabus for more details about courses that you're interested in taking.
Undergraduate Course Requirements
During an average week, you should expect to spend 8-10 hours completing coursework for a 16-week course, and 15-18 hours completing coursework (including reading) for an 8-week course.
While each course is unique, general requirements include all or some of the following: at least 800-1,200 pages of required reading (50-75 pages per week), book reviews, critical essays or other written projects, active participation in discussion boards, a research paper, simulations, examinations, etc. Each course represents a significant workload which, when combined with personal and professional schedules, requires careful time management. Requirements will vary depending on the level of the course as well. Lower level courses (100 and 200 level) will be at the lower end of these ranges with upper division courses (300- and 400-level) at the higher end of the expectations.
Graduate Courses Requirements
During an average week, you should expect to spend 10-15 hours completing coursework for a 16-week course, and 18-22 hours completing coursework (including reading) for an 8-week course.
While each course is unique, general requirements include all or some of the following: at least 1,200-1,500 pages of required reading (75-100 pages per week, not to include reading for research), book reviews, substantive participation in the online classroom discussions, critical essays or other written projects, a research paper, and a final examination. Each course represents a significant workload which, when combined with personal and professional schedules, requires diligent application of time management skills.
