GRADUATE STUDENT COURSE LOAD

A full-time graduate student is defined as one who is enrolled in 9 semester hours during the fall or spring semester. Summer course loads vary depending on the length of the session in which a student is enrolled. These course loads pertain to registration status--see Enrollment Status Descriptions for Financial Aid requirements.

Semester Hours: 16-week (Fall/Spring) | 10-week (Summer) | 8-week session | 5-week session

Max Load:            16 hours                        12 hours                   9 hours                6 hours

Full Load:             9 hours                         6 hours                     6 hours                3 hours

International Student Enrollment Requirement – International students on an F-1 visa must enroll in a minimum of 9 credit hours per fall and spring semester to maintain their visa status. Of these 9 credit hours, at least 6 credit hours must be taken in an on-site, face-to-face format.

Enrollment Status Descriptions for Financial Aid – For financial aid purposes, enrollment requirements remain consistent across all semesters (Fall, Spring, and Summer). Graduate students must meet the following credit hour thresholds to qualify for various enrollment statuses:

• Full-time: 9 or more graduate-level credit hours
• Three-fourths time: 7 to 8 graduate-level credit hours
• Half-time: 5 to 6 graduate-level credit hours

Note: Enrollment exceeding the maximum load requires prior approval from the dean of the Graduate School.

Audit Policy – A student may audit regular academic courses, provided space and required instructional equipment are available. Auditing is not permitted for online or independent-study courses. Audited courses do not carry credit, require examinations, or result in grades. Attendance, preparation, and participation requirements are determined by the instructor. To audit a course, students must submit a completed Course Audit Request Form and pay the required fees before the registration deadline. Fees include the audit fee and any applicable course-related charges (e.g., lab, materials, field fees), as determined by the institution. Audit fees are nonrefundable unless the institution denies the audit request.