Leighton University uses the industry-standard Carnegie Unit to define credit hours for both undergraduate and graduate levels courses.
Each credit hour required a minimum of 7 hours of active student engagement per 6-week week Term. Each hour in 8-week Term requires 5 clock hours of study per per week. This time may on discussions, readings and lectures, study and research, and assignments.
Most Leighton’s at the undergraduate and graduate level courses are three credit hours.
| Credit to be Earned | Hours per week four 6 Week Course | Hours Per Week for 8-Week Course |
| 1 Credit | 7 hours | 5 hours |
| 3 Credits | 14 hours | 15 hours |
| 6 Credits | 28 hours | 30 hours |
| 12 Credits | 56 hours | 60 hours |