To determine how many credit hours you intend to take in the upcoming term consider the following points:
Undergraduate Students
- You may initially register in up to 16.5 credit hours (five and one half course equivalents) until the first day of classes. Beginning on the first day of classes, students may increase their loads to the maximum allowed by their respective Faculty or School. Refer to the registration limits in Registration in the Academic Calendar.
- Most courses carry a credit load of 3.0 credit hours; some courses carry more and some carry fewer credit hours. Students on academic probation or in practicum terms are not able to take more than 15.0 credit hours within four courses.
- Five courses (15.0 credit hours) per term is the regular load carried during the two main terms in order to complete a 40-course degree in four years. Keep in mind the 15.0 credit hours does not equal 15 hours; you must also consider any labs and tutorials that go with a class.
- During the summer session, each faculty and school determines the maximum number of courses in which you may register. Please contact your academic advisor. Refer to the registration limits in Registration in the Academic Calendar.
- To be considered a full-time student, you must register in a minimum of 9.0 credit hours (three 3.0 credit courses) during each of the two main terms.
- For certain scholarships and consideration for graduate or professional school, you may be required to carry 15.0 credit hours during each of the two main terms.
Graduate Students
- Continuous registration in the spring, summer, and fall terms is required for full- and part-time students.
- Full- and part-time students who do not register in a graduate course in any term will be considered to have withdrawn unless a leave of absence has previously been granted by the respective graduate program administrator.
TIP- If you need to commit a significant amount of time to activities outside of the classroom, you may want to consider limiting the number of credit hours you take per term. For every hour you spend in the classroom, expect three hours of homework. For Undergraduate students, taking less than 15.0 credit hours in a term may extend the time required to complete your program.
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