Semester hours refer to a unit used in higher education institutions to measure academic workload. It represents the amount of time spent on coursework, typically over a period of 15 weeks or one semester. One semester hour usually equals one hour of classroom instruction per week for an entire semester, although this can vary depending on factors such as independent study, examinations, and other academic activities. The number of semester hours required to complete a degree program varies by institution and major, with most programs requiring between 120-130 credit hours or equivalent.