Credit Loads

A full-time program of coursework for graduate students requires a minimum of 9 academic credits or a combination of academic and equivalent credits for a total of 9 credits in any semester. A full-time program of coursework for doctoral students requires a minimum of 7 academic credits or a combination of academic and equivalent credits for a total of 7 credits in any semester. Students may take no more than 18 credits of graduate work in any Fall or Spring semester without approval from the Graduate Studies office. Graduate-level international students admitted to the United States on student Visas are required to complete at least nine (9) academic or equivalent credits each Fall and Spring semester. Doctoral-level international students admitted to the United States on student Visas are required to complete at least seven (7) academic or equivalent credits each Fall and Spring semester.

Certification of Full-Time Status

A matriculated graduate student may be certified as in full-time attendance in any semester when taking at least 9 academic credits or a combination of academic and equivalent credits for a total of 9 credits. A matriculated doctoral student may be certified as in full-time attendance in any semester when taking at least 7 academic credits or a combination of academic and equivalent credits for a total of 7 credits. Students may receive 1–6 equivalent credits for such activities as teaching assistantships, research assistantships, thesis research and writing, preparation of the comprehensive examination, and fieldwork. Departments are responsible for documenting credit equivalencies.

Academic credits are prescribed in the departmental degree requirements in the Graduate Bulletin and contribute to the total credits required for the master's degree. Equivalent credits are never accepted toward the total credits required for the master's degree.

Credit Loads Prior to Fall 2020

Credit Loads Prior to Fall 2019