Part-time and Full-time Status

Most graduate programs are offered on a part-time and full-time basis. Part-time and full-time are dependent on the number of registered credits within a given semester. Once admitted to a graduate program, a student may move from full-time to part-time or part-time to full-time by simply changing the number of credits for which they are registered. However, a student is initially admitted with a full-time or part-time status. There are tuition and financial aid ramifications associated with full-time and part-time status.

SBS Students

Full-time status for SBS graduate programs is defined as 12 to 15 credits. A student must be registered for at least 12 credits to be considered full-time. A maximum of 15 credits is allowed.

Part-time status for SBS graduate programs is defined as 1 to 11 credits. A student must be registered for at least 1 credit to be considered part-time. A maximum of 11 credits is allowed. For fully online SBS graduate program students, part-time status is defined as 1-3 credits per term.

Campus-based students must complete and have approved an Excess Course Petition Form [PDF] to exceed full-time course load credits. The only exception to this policy is the semester in which a campus-based student registers for the following combination of 1-credit courses, SBS-700 and/or FIN-601 or SBS 700 and/or MBA 701.

Fall and Spring Sessions: Campus-based graduate students who meet the following criteria will be considered for enrolling in more than 15 credits:

The student has a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and is in good academic standing.
Evaluation of a student's excess course request(s) will be done on a case-by-case and course-by-course basis to ensure a student's success within their program. Petition must be approved by program director and assistant dean of graduate programs.
Must demonstrate extenuating circumstances for the request.
Has consulted with the program director/advisor who will review the excess course petition, in addition to, the degree completion options for the student.

Summer Sessions: Six credits per summer session constitute a full-time schedule (maximum of 12 credits across all summer sessions). Campus-based graduate students must seek permission to register for any excess credits in a session and demonstrate extenuating circumstances for the request. The above criteria for fall and spring sessions will be used when evaluating the petition.

SBS Online Graduate Program Students

SBS online graduate programs are part-time only programs. Three credits per term constitute a normal online course load. The only exception to this policy is the term in which a student registers for an additional 1 credit or 1.5 credit course (e.g., SBS 700, MBA 701, MBA 625, MBA 615, MBA 745, or FIN 601). Students who seek to enroll in more than 3 credits in any term must complete an Excess Course Petition Form for Online Programs [PDF], demonstrate extenuating circumstances, and meet the following criteria:

The student has a minimum GPA of at least 3.30 and is in good academic standing after completing a minimum of one full semester.
All prerequisites must be taken before the excess course. Prerequisites cannot be taken concurrently with the excess course.
Evaluation of a student’s excess course request will be done on a case-by-case and course-by-course basis to ensure a student’s success within their program.
The student has consulted with the student success advisor / program director, who will review the excess course petition in addition to the degree completion options for the student.
Petition must be signed by the program director and assistant dean of online graduate programs.

CAS Students

Full-time status is defined as 12 credits for CAS graduate programs except for the PhD in Economics, which is defined as 9 credits. Students must submit an Excess Course Petition form to the CAS Dean's Office if they plan to register for more than 12 credits (9 in Ph.D Economics program).

Tuition Implications

Full-time: The University sets a full-time tuition rate charged fall and spring semesters. If a student enrolls in excess credits, the additional credits are charged at a pro-rated per-credit fee.

Part-time: The University sets a part-time per-credit tuition rate.

Summer: All students registered for credits in a summer term are charged at the per-credit tuition rate.

For current full-time, part-time, and excess tuition rates visit the Bursar's Office.

Visit Student Financial Services for information regarding full-time or part-time status and eligibility for financial aid.