Academic Load

Students taking a minimum of three full course units per semester are considered to be full-time students for financial aid and billing purposes. This definition of full-time study applies to the fall and spring semesters and to the regular summer sessions.  The standard academic load is four course units per semester; however, programmatic exceptions do exist and students should check with their major department.  A student in a degree program with a standard academic load who wishes to take more than 4.5 course units must receive permission from the dean’s office to do so.  This includes additional credits taken simultaneously at another institution.  In order to be eligible to request permission to take more than 4.5 course units, a student must have completed 8 course units at TCNJ (4 course units for transfer students) and have at least a 3.3 GPA.  Some of the criteria that may be considered when making decisions to grant permission for more than 4.5 course units are:  1) evidence of the student’s ability to continue to maintain at least a 3.3 GPA; 2) whether the additional course or credit is a prerequisite for a subsequent required course; 3) whether there are extenuating curricular circumstances, such as completing a double major.   

Recommended by CAP, approved by Provost.  July 2012