Academic Schedule (Full-Time/Part-Time)

A full-time student schedule for either the fall semester or the spring semester of the winter/spring term generally consists of 12 to 18 credit hours. A student registered for fewer than 12 credit hours is classified as part-time. A schedule in excess of 18 credit hours must be approved by an academic advisor. Except in extraordinary circumstances, such approval will not extend beyond a load of 21 credit hours and will be based on a student’s demonstrated ability to be successful with a full load of 18 (non-audit) credit hours. During the summer term, a student may take no more than 16 credit hours; a student must take 12 credit hours to be considered full-time. During the winter intersession, a student may take no more than eight credit hours; six credit hours is considered full-time.

Students enrolled in certain allied health programs with a schedule of fewer than 12 credit hours, during the clinical phase, may be considered full-time from a program perspective. 

For financial aid purposes, a student must enroll in 12 aid-eligible credit hours to be considered full-time, and only coursework required for the student's declared area of study is included in the student's financial aid enrollment status. Total developmental coursework in excess of 30 attempted credit hours is not aid-eligible. More than one repeat of a previously passed course is not aid-eligible credit hours. For financial aid purposes, enrollments during the winter term are included as a part of the spring semester enrollment status.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) calculates enrollment status based on the amount of credits a student is enrolled in during a period of weeks during a term. Only coursework required for the student’s declared area of study is included in the student’s VA enrollment status. Students using VA education benefits must work with a school certifying official in the records, registration, and veterans’ affairs office to determine their enrollment status and impact on education benefits.