Planning Your Schedule

The unit: a working definition

The number of course units is generally the number of lecture hours per week a class meets. Classes that have labs or "directed study activities" meet more hours. For each unit you taken, expect two to three hours of outside study per week. Class time and study time must be carefully managed including employment and other personal responsibilities.

How many units should you take?

Delta College suggests guidelines:

If you work:	take no more than:
40 hours per week	6 units
30 hours per week	9 units
20 hours per week	12 units
5 to 15 hours per week	14 - 16 units
"Full-time" Student Status.	12 or more units

How long will it take to compete a certificate or degree?

The time it takes to complete a certificate or degree is dependent on how many units you take each semester. Refer to the chart below to see on average how the number of units you complete will effect how long it takes to complete a certificate or degree.

If you take…	Certificate	Associate's	Bachelor's
		Degree	Degree
One Class Per Semester (3 Units)	5 years	7-10 years	13-20 years
Two Classes Per Semester (6 Units)	2-30 years	5 years	10 years
Three Classes Per Semester (9 Units)	1.5-3 years	3 years	6-7 years
Four Classes Per Semester (12 units)	1-2 years	2.5 years	5 years
Five Classes Per Semester (15 units)	1 year	2 years	4 years

These times may be shortened by enrolling in summer session courses.

One Level Up

Degree Requirements