Policy Statement - 14-02 Student Load, Maximum and Full

MAXIMUM AND FULL TIME STUDENT LOAD

(This policy supersedes PS 04-08.)

This policy was recommended by the Academic Senate on March 6, 2014 and received the concurrence of the President on March 14, 2014.

 

1.0 MAXIMUM STUDENT LOAD DURING THE FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS

1.1        A student pursuing a baccalaureate degree or a credential program carrying 12 or more units during the fall or spring semester is classified as a full-time student. A student pursuing a post-baccalaureate certificate or master’s degree carrying 8 or more units or a student pursuing a doctoral degree carrying 6 or more units during the fall or spring semester is also classified as a full-time student. These definitions derive from federal financial aid regulations and have no bearing on the definitions used by the State of California to determine a student's liability for the State University Fee.

1.2        The maximum number of units a student may take during the fall or spring semester is normally 18 for undergraduate, graduate, or post-baccalaureate students.

1.3        Exceptions to this limit will be made only on the basis of proven academic ability, the feasibility of a student's proposed schedule, and the evidence that it is necessary to enroll for an overload in order to complete the student's chosen academic program in a timely manner. Permission must be obtained from the office of the Division of Academic Affairs prior to registration.

 

2.0            MAXIMUM STUDENT LOAD DURING THE SUMMER TERM

2.1        The maximum number of units a student may take during the summer term is one unit per week, plus one additional unit. Thus, the maximum number of units is normally 7 for one 6-week session, 10 for two overlapping sessions, and 14 for an entire summer.

2.2        Exceptions to this limit will be made only on the basis of proven academic ability, the feasibility of a student's proposed schedule, and the evidence that the extra units will enable the student to graduate in that or the immediately subsequent term. Permission must be obtained from the office of the Division of Academic Affairs prior to registration.

 

3.0            MAXIMUM STUDENT LOAD DURING THE WINTER SESSION

3.1        The maximum number of units a student may take during the winter session is one unit per week, plus one additional unit. Thus, the maximum number of units is normally 4.

3.2        Exceptions to this limit will be made only on the basis of proven academic ability, the feasibility of a student's proposed schedule, and the evidence that the extra units will enable the student to graduate in that or the immediately subsequent term. Permission must be obtained prior to registration from the Associate Dean of the college of the student's major department.