GRADUATE ACADEMIC LOAD
Effective: August 15, 2024
Purpose: To support student academic success and to provide consistent, quality delivery of academic programs and services.
Scope: This policy applies to all University graduate students campus wide.
Responsible Office: Academic Affairs; Registrar’s Office
Policy Statement: The maximum academic course load for a graduate student is sixteen (16) semester hours of course work for fall or spring term. One and one-half (1.5) hours for each week of attendance is the maximum permitted the summer sessions but no more than twelve (12) credits for the entire summer term. The student may also earn no more than nine (9) hours in any six-week period.
The normal load for summer session is one (1) hour of graduate credit per week enrolled. The minimum load required for students with a summer assistantship is three (3) hours.
Overloads may be approved under exceptional circumstances during the fall and spring semesters. A school/college may establish additional restrictions upon credit hours earned during an enrollment period. These limits do not include thesis, research project, or dissertation credits.
There are no limitations on the number of thesis and investigative credit hours for which a student may enroll. However, only six (6) hours and five (5) hours of thesis credit may apply toward master's and specialist degrees respectively, and no more than twelve (12) hours of combined thesis and investigation credit may apply toward a single graduate degree.
Graduate students using the resources of the University are expected to be enrolled in courses for credit and must be enrolled in at least one semester credit hour during the term in which the degree is granted or the requirements are met.
Definitions: All words and phrases shall be interpreted utilizing their plain meanings unless otherwise defined in another University or Board of Regents policy or by statute or regulation.
Procedures: All procedures linked and related to the policies above shall have the full force and effect of policy if said procedures have first been properly approved by the University’s administrator in charge of Academic Affairs.
[Academic Affairs procedures - coming soon]
Related Policy Information: [coming soon]