The typical student load is 12 to 18 semester hours (until the spring of 2023, the load was 12-17 semester hours) in a given semester. A minimum of 12 credit hours is required for full time status, a load of six hours is considered half time for financial aid purposes (for more information, see pages). The normal course load of 12 to 18 semester hours permits students to register for courses in applied music, basic physical education, and drama in addition to a typical academic load. Non-credit review courses are counted as part of a normal load, and students on probation or condition may be required to limit their load to 12 semester hours. In exceptional cases, a student may apply for permission, at the registrar’s office, to carry more than 18 semester hours. Such an application requires the recommendation of the student’s academic advisor or department chair and must be returned to the registrar’s office for approval. To be eligible for consideration, the student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0, must have received no grades of incomplete during the previous two semesters, and is expected to limit outside employment.

To reach the minimum 124 semester hours required for undergraduate degrees (some programs require more than 124 hours), students must complete 31 semester hours per year, to finish in four academic years.

Undergraduate students are classified as first-year students until they have earned 27 semester hours of credit. Students with a minimum of 27 semester hours of credit completed will be classified as sophomores; those with 58, as juniors; and those with 89, as seniors.