HIT-CIM online courses are intensive and require self-direction, discipline, excellent time management and organizational skills as well as good study habits. At the start of the semester, the instructor will publish a Course Calendar for each course. The Course Calendar describes the weekly study topics and due dates for specific assignments. For most courses, there are weekly assignments that must be completed by a specific date. In addition to the textbook readings, practical exercises, quizzes, exams and research and/or group assignments, the student may also have comprehensive lecture materials to review. The average hours per week a student will spend in these activities for an online class are 3 hours per unit.

This table depicts average workload depending on the student’s course load:

In consideration of this, the HIT-CIM Program recommends students adhere to the following guidance related to course load:

• Students who work full-time and have family and personal commitments are advised to limit enrollment to 6 units per semester.
• Students who work 20 hours per week and have family and personal commitments are advised to limit enrollment to 9 units per semester.
• Students who are full-time students and returning to school after a number of years are advised to limit enrollment to 6 units per semester.
• Students who are newcomers to online learning or have a low comfort level with computers may want to limit their first semester to 3-6 units.
• It is recommended that students limit their enrollment in SBCC's short 6 week summer session to one HIT/CIM class.