Course Load
REG 02.20.5
Authority: Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
History: First Issued: 1966. Last Revised: Fall 1984.
Additional References:
Procedures For Determination of Satisfactory Academic Progress For Financial Aid
Contact Info: Department Registration and Records (919)515-2572.
1. UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE STUDENTS
The maximum course load for undergraduate degree students is 21 credit hours
in a semester and two courses plus a physical education course in a summer
session. To carry more than the maximum, students must obtain the approval
of their academic advisers and of their college deans. Undergraduate students
who propose to register for 19 or more credit hours in a semester must obtain
approval from their academic advisers. First semester freshmen with admissions
indices less than 2.0 and continuing students with a grade point averages
less than 2.0 should be advised to carry no more than 16 credit hours in a
semester.
The minimum course load for full-time undergraduate degree students
is 12 credit hours, except in their final semester when a lesser number
may be taken if that is all the student needs to fulfill the requirements
for a degree. In order to receive financial aid a student must meet the
minimum course load requirements of the appropriate funding agency.
The number of hours for which a student is officially enrolled is
that number in which the student is enrolled for credit at the end of the
second week of classes i.e., the last day to withdraw or drop a course with
a refund.
2. UGS STUDENTS
The maximum course load for Undergraduate Studies Students (UGS) is two courses
plus a physical education course in a regular semester or summer session.
Exceptions must be approved by the Undergraduate Admissions Office.
Exceptions must be approved by the Office of Adult Credit Programs & Summer
Sessions.
3. PBS STUDENTS
The maximum course load for Post-Baccalaureate Studies Students (PBS) is two
courses in a regular semester or summer session. Individuals who are employed
full-time should limit their registration to one course per semester or summer
session. Exceptions must be approved by the Office of Adult Credit Programs & Summer Sessions.
4. COOPERATIVE EDUCATION STUDENTS
Students in the Cooperative Education Program who are enrolled in a cooperative
education course (i.e., COP 100) during the semester or summer session in
which they are on a work assignment are certified by the Registrar to be full-time
students even though academic credit is not granted for the cooperative education
experience. (See also Procedures
For Determination of Satisfactory Academic Progress For Financial Aid
in the Handbook for Advising and Teaching)
5. GRADUATE DEGREE STUDENTS
The maximum course load for graduate degree students is 15 credit hours in
a semester and six credit hours in a summer session, for full-time students
not holding assistantships. Advisers should refer to the Graduate Catalog
for maximum course loads for students on assistantships. (See also Procedures
For Determination of Satisfactory Academic Progress For Financial Aid in the Handbook for Advising and Teaching)
The minimum course load for full-time graduate degree students is
nine credit hours. In order to receive financial aid, a student must
meet the minimum course load requirements of the appropriate funding agency.
