- Created by Peterson, Michele, last modified on Aug 31, 2021
Policy identification number: To Come | ||
File: Academic Policies > Academic Standards | ||
Maximum Credit Load – Undergraduate | ||
Policy Summary This policy limits the number of credits bachelor’s degree candidates can register for in a single semester. | ||
Policy Owner Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs | Approval Date August 31, 2021 | Effective Date Fall 2021 |
Search Terms vpaa, provost, maximum, credit, load, undergraduate, m | Scheduled for Review Fall 2026 |
I. Policy StatementNo bachelor’s degree candidate may register for more than 22 credits at Fort Lewis College in a Fall or Spring semester or 6 credits at Fort Lewis College in a Summer semester (any combination of terms 1 to 5). Likewise, no bachelor’s degree candidate may register for more than 8 credits in any ONE Summer term. Exceptions to this policy will be granted for internships only - students should submit a Credit Overload Petition through the Registrar’s office. |
II. ImplicationsThis policy will delay graduation for students planning on taking more than 22 credits in a regular term or 16 credits in a summer semester. |
III. Consideration of Appeals and PetitionsThe Maximum Credit Load policy may not be appealed or waived. |
IV. Reason for PolicyHigher Learning Commission: HLC monitors the number of students who take more than normal credit loads. HLC also verifies that the amount of in-class and out-of-class work required per credit follows good practice.[i] Institutional: Fort Lewis strives to offer rigorous courses. Rigor requires, among other things, a serious level of student engagement outside of class. The standard benchmark for rigorous courses is two hours outside of class for every hour inside of class. A 15-credit load, therefore, should require approximately 45 total hours of work per week. Given this assumption, it is unreasonable to expect a student to complete more than 22 credit hours in a fall or spring semester (i.e. 66 total hours each week) or 16 credits in a summer semester. [i] This information was provided by Karen Solinski, VP for Legal and Governmental Affairs for HLC at a session entitled “Preparing for the Credit Hour Review,” on April 9, 2013 at a Higher Learning Commission conference. |
V. ResponsibilitiesFor following the policy: Bachelor's degree candidates For enforcement of the policy: Registrar For oversight of the policy: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs For notification of policy: Registrar For procedures implementing the policy: Policy Librarian |
VI. DefinitionsBachelor's Degree Candidate: Undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor's degree and post-baccalaureate students pursuing a second or subsequent, non-duplicative, bachelor's degree who are attending less than half time, half time, three quarters time, or full time. |
VII. Revision HistoryThis policy revises the Maximum Credit Load policy approved by Faculty Senate on March 14, 2014 by eliminating the need for advisor approval if a student would like to register for 19 to 22 credits in a Fall or Spring semester or 13 to 16 credits in a Summer semester. It also establishes a maximum load limit of 8 credits in any ONE Summer term. August 2021 revision - eliminates the need for advisor approval between 19 and 22 credit hours and establishes a maximum credit hour load limit of 8 credits in any ONE summer term |