Total Degree Credits and Semester Load
Students are required to make steady progress towards their degree requirements within the maximum allowable time. The total degree credits required to complete the University’s undergraduate degree programs will vary but in no case will they be less than 120 semester hours.
The appropriate course load for an undergraduate is dependent on two factors: scholastic ability, as reflected by the student’s academic history, and available study time. Successful academic achievement usually requires two to three hours of outside study for each hour spent in class. For example, enrollment in 16 credit hours would require about 32-48 hours of outside preparation per week.
A credit load of 15-18 credit hours constitutes a normal full semester program for an undergraduate student. A student must normally complete 15-18 credit hours per semester to finish a bachelor’s degree in four years.
The maximum load in a semester is 19 credit hours. The maximum credit load in a summer session is 6 credit hours.
Enrollment in more than 19 credit hours, to a maximum of 21 hours in a semester, requires advance written approval of the relevant Dean (or designee.) Enrollment in more than 6 credit hours to an absolute maximum of 7 in a summer session requires advance written approval of the relevant Dean (or designee.)