Normal Course Load

The normal course load may vary with the degree program. Students may be required to register for a course load less than the normal course load if this action is determined to be advisable in the light of the student's academic standing or for other reasons. An undergraduate student who in any semester registers for less than 12 semester hours and a graduate studies student who registers for less than 9 semester hours, is considered a part-time student; a student who registers for more hours than these is considered a full-time student. No student of the Schools of Allied Health Sciences, Graduate Studies or Nursing may register without special approval from his/her dean for any hours above the norm (including audit courses) in any given academic semester.

The School of Medicine does not admit students on a part-time basis. Students may, with appropriate approval, carry lesser academic loads than other students because of academic or scheduling problems. However, these students are considered to be committed to full-time pursuit of the M.D. degree.

The School of Dentistry. All D.M.D. degree-seeking students are considered to be full-time and are expected to devote full-time efforts toward completing requirements for the degree. Most students complete the program in four calendar years and take a uniform semester course schedule. Other students may, with special permission, complete the degree program in more than four years and take a variable semester course load designed to meet their academic or scheduling circumstances.

The only exception to this rule is for part-time faculty who may be allowed to register as part-time students in order to complete the D.M.D. degree. A limited number of special students, who are not degree-seeking, may also be permitted to enroll part-time.