Courseload

First-year students in the College are limited to 4.5 c.u. for the first semester.

After the first semester, College students are limited to 5.5 c.u. per semester. Starting in their third semester, students can request to raise these limits using the “Request max course unit increase” form on Path@Penn. This should only be done after Advance Registration (credit loads are not raised during that period), and it requires the permission of an academic advisor. The transcript should show good performance (a g.p.a. of 3.3 or better) in 5 c.u. and contain no outstanding Incompletes. Please note that this request must be submitted at least two business days prior to the end of the add deadline; requests submitted later than that may not be approved in time.

No student will be allowed to register for more than 7.5 c.u. in a term.

Students should always speak with an academic advisor before any action is taken that would cause the student to earn fewer than 4 c.u. in a given term.

Risks of Being Under-Enrolled

For a variety of reasons, students need to maintain full-time status (3 or 4 c.u.). Dropping or withdrawing below that number of credits may have adverse effects in a variety of circumstances. The most common concerns are for:

Athletes

All student athletes must complete an average of at least 8 c.u. per year. Carrying less than a full load may jeopardize athletic eligibility. Dr. Niel McDowell is the College’s athletic eligibility officer.

International Students

The visas that allow most international students to study in the U.S. require carrying a full load of at least 3 c.u. per semester. Any reduction in that number may call their visa status into question. Exceptions to this rule are sometimes available. Students should consult an advisor in the International Student and Scholar Services Office who can provide more information.

Students with Financial Aid

Some aid packages require that the student complete an average of 3 c.u. per semester. Students carrying fewer than this amount of credits may be at risk of losing some of their financial aid. Call the Student Financial Services office for more information.

Students on Academic Probation

Students on academic probation must complete exactly 4 c.u. on time, with no grades of F, I, GR (no show) or NR and no more than one pass/fail course.  Students on academic probation who find it difficult to manage a 4 c.u. course load should speak with an advisor in the College Office.

Full-Time with Three C.U.

In extenuating circumstances, students may elect to take only 3 c.u. Special permission is not needed. Full tuition is charged.

Part-Time Status

 

General Policy
 

College students are expected to be enrolled on a full-time basis. Bills are not normally adjusted when a student takes less than a full load of courses.

Seniors who need fewer than 3 c.u. in their final semester to complete their degree requirements may consider declaring part-time status. Students who are considering part-time status must first meet with their major advisor and then with an advisor in the College Office. These advisors will verify that the student needs fewer than 3 c.u. to graduate and will then make the adjustment. Simply registering for one or two courses is NOT sufficient to become part-time; the student must follow the above procedure to make the tuition adjustment.

Part-time status must be declared before the first day of the term in question. Students are advised to complete this process by the end of the preceding semester (that is, usually by December of the fall semester).

Some students may have special issues related to part-time status:

  • Athletes must wait until their previous semester’s grades are posted (normally, in early January) before they can officially declare part-time status.
  • Students with financial aid should check with the Student Financial Services office, since changing their enrollment status may change their aid status.
  • International students who wish to inquire about part-time status in their final semester must speak with an assistant dean in the College Office and the International Student and Scholar Services office.
Academic Probation

General Academic Probation

Students will be placed on General Academic Probation if they have not met the criteria for good standing.

Students on General Academic Probation must meet the following conditions to return to good standing:

  • Speak with their academic advisor regularly while on probation.
  • Complete exactly 4 c.u. on time, with no grades of F, I, GR (no show) or NR and no more than one pass/fail course.
  • Complete at least a total of 6 c.u. over a period of two consecutive terms (summers not included).
  • Achieve a minimum g.p.a. of 2.0 for that term and cumulatively.

Students who fail to meet these requirements to return to good academic standing may be placed on Deferred Drop Probation or dropped from the University rolls at the discretion of the Committee on Undergraduate Academic Standing.

Deferred Drop Probation

Students will be placed on Deferred Drop Probation if:

  • They fail to meet the requirements for recovery from General Academic Probation as specified by the Committee on Undergraduate Academic Standing, or
  • Their academic semester or cumulative g.p.a. is below 1.7.
  • They fail two or more courses and are reviewed by the Committee on Undergraduate Academic Standing,

Students on Deferred Drop Probation must meet the following conditions to return to good standing:

  • Meet with their academic advisor regularly while on Deferred Drop Probation.
  • Complete exactly 4 c.u. on time, with no grades of F, I, GR (no show) or NR and no more than one pass/fail course.
  • Complete at least a total of 6 c.u. over a period of two consecutive terms (summers not included).
  • Achieve a minimum g.p.a. of 2.0 for that term and cumulatively.

Students who do not meet these conditions may be dropped from the University rolls.