Registrar Policies & Procedures
Credit Definitions
Credit Hour: One credit hour represents one hour (50) minutes of class for 16 weeks (inclusive of final examinations), four hours per week for 12 weeks, or eight hours per week for six weeks. Most courses carry three credits and meet for three hours per week for 16 weeks.
Degree Credits: Credits carried by courses that can be used to meet degree requirements and that count toward the grade point average (GPA), in contrast to college-preparatory credits.
College-preparatory Credits: Credits carried by college-preparatory courses that serve to prepare students for degree credit courses. When dictated by placement test scores, students must earn appropriate college-preparatory credits before advancing to degree credits. College-preparatory credits cannot be used to meet degree requirements and do not count toward the GPA. College-preparatory credits do contribute to student-time statuses (part time, full time) and are covered by most forms of financial aid, except the Bright Futures scholarships. Part-time, degree-seeking students may complete 12 degree credits before college-preparatory courses become mandatory.
Freshman: A student who has earned fewer than 30 degree term credits (excluding college-preparatory credits) and/or fewer than 60 grade points.
Sophomore: A student who has earned 30 or more degree term credits (excluding college-preparatory credits) and at least 60 grade points.
Full Time: A student who is registered for 12 or more credits (including degree credits and college-preparatory credits) for a Fall, Spring, or Summer term.
Part Time: A student who is registered for 11 or fewer credits (including degree credits and college-preparatory credits) for a Fall, Spring, or Summer term.
Minimum: The minimum load to be enrolled as a student is one credit hour (degree credit or college-preparatory credit) for a term. Financial-aid minimum loads and veterans'-benefit minimum loads are described in the Student Financial Aid section of the College Catalog.
Maximum: A maximum class load is 18 term credit hours (degree and college-preparatory credits) per Fall, Spring, or Summer term (with the exception of certain programs requiring a heavier load).
Overload: A petition for an overload above the 18-credit-hour limit is required. Petitions must be acquired from and approved by enrollment services counselors/advisors on either campus. Students are limited to 21 total credit hours for a single term. Appeals to this policy can be directed to the vice president for student services and enrollment management.
