Students in the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) must maintain full-time enrollment. 

Requirement of Full-time Enrollment

The School of Arts and Sciences requires full-time enrollment.  Matriculated students are expected to enroll in 15 credits per semester and required to enroll in at least 12 credits per semester to maintain full-time status.  Students in good academic standing are permitted to register for up to 18 credits during the preregistration period, and may increase their enrollment up to 20.5 credits during the add/drop period in the first week of the semester.  Credit minimums and maximums are posted on each semester’s Registration Schedule, available on website of the Registrar.


Overload Requests

Seniors in their final semester may request an override to take a maximum of 21 credits. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis after an evaluation of past performance, number of credits taken in prior semesters, and specific courses being attempted. Please send a detailed request including your name and RUID to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


Restrictions on Credit Load

Full-time students with an Academic Standing Status (such as Warning or Probation) may be limited to a maximum of 16 credits. 


Requests for Reduced Credit Load

Students who wish to enroll in fewer than 12 credits must apply for permission.  For more information, see the Request a Reduced Credit Load page.


Tuition and Credit Load

Semester tuition and fees for full-time enrollment do not vary based on number of credits enrolled.  SAS students enrolled full time in 12 to 20.5 credits pay the same tuition and fees (with the exception of special course fees, such as online fees, event tickets, etc.)  Students registered below 12 credits pay tuition and fees according to the number of credits enrolled.  Specific information about tuition and fees is posted by the Office of Student Accounting, Billing and Cashiering.

Students approved by SAS for a reduced credit load must make all reductions before the Last Day to Drop (without a W) in order to receive a tuition refund for the reduced credits.  After the Last Day to Drop (without a W), students may withdraw with grades of W down to 12 credits.  There are no tuition refunds for courses withdrawn with grades of W.