Academic Regulations

Course Schedules

Students normally take four course units in a term. In addition, they may schedule physical education activities, music ensembles (choir, women's chorus, orchestra, marching band, wind ensemble), music performance (private lessons), and certain other courses up to a maximum load of 4.5 course units.

With an advisor's approval, a student with sophomore, junior, or senior standing and a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher at the time of registration may schedule a fifth course unit in a given term. Other seniors, juniors, or sophomores with cumulative GPAs between 2.70 and 3.00 at the time of registration may also schedule a fifth course, subject to the approval of the Office of the Provost. An additional tuition charge will be made for a fifth course unit.

Students with sophomore, junior, or senior standing who also have with a 3.50 at the time of registration are eligible to take a fifth class at a reduced rate of 50% of the normal overload cost.  There are no restrictions on enrollment, other than “space available,” in this situation.  Students with a 3.75 at the time of registration are eligible to take a fifth class for free, with restrictions on certain courses, including that the courses must be “space available” after all other students have completed their registration.   (“At the time of registration” refers to the normal registration period in March or April for fall term classes and October or November for spring term classes.  “Time of the registration” does not extend into drop/add.)  (NOTE:  If a student has a cumulative GPA below 3.75 at the time of normal registration for classes, as defined above, and the student’s GPA rises to 3.75 or higher, that student is not eligible for the fifth free class, but may take the overload at the reduced rate.)  The free fifth course is added on a space-available basis. Certain courses are not available as a free fifth course.  See the institutional registrar for a list of restrictions.  Students wishing to add any fifth course (any units above 4.50 scheduled units) must complete an application form, available from the institutional registrar.

Except as noted above, approval of the Academic Standards Committee is required to schedule more than 4.5 course units in one term.

Under no circumstances may a student register for more than 5 course units. Credit earned for English Tutorship, Amrhein Investment Club, LeaderShape, and Emerging Leaders are excluded from this restriction.