What is a CSP "recommended credit"?

We use this phrase because, strictly speaking, the CSP does not grant you course credit; your university does. We recommend grades and credit hours based on guidelines set by CCCU, but your own school will determine what credit or grades you receive.  You need to work out with your school what credit you will receive before coming to China, as well as whether you can take courses on a Pass / Fail system.  Should your school allow you to take courses Pass / Fail, the CSP director will still assign you a grade for that course, which your school may then convert to Pass or Fail.

In practice, CSP credit will function just like your other credits.  Though some schools have their own policies about grades & credits vis a vis off-campus study programs, most CCCU schools accept the recommended credit hours and grades for courses that they are able to transfer.