Course Load

Nine semester credit hours constitute a full-time semester load for traditional graduate students. Effective Summer 2019, 6 semester credit hours constitute a full-time semester load for graduate students enrolled in accelerated (AP) programs. The maximum course load for graduate students is 12 semester credit hours in a fall or spring semester or 6 semester credit hours in an eight-week fall or spring term or 6 semester credit hours in an six-week summer term. Students are not allowed to carry more courses in any term that would allow them to earn more than one semester credit per hour per week over the course of the term. For example, during summer terms, students should not generally be allowed to enroll for more than 6 semester credit hours.

Registration in excess of the maximum course load requires approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Since the maximum load is determined by the THECB Rules, permission can be given only under exceptional circumstances. Students employed by UT Permian Basin as student or teaching assistants must reduce their course loads accordingly. Students on academic probation should reduce their course load until their GPA is improved and probationary status is removed. The maximum credits for which students may register in a semester or summer term apply to the combined credit for both conventionally taught courses and self-paced courses. If students finish a self-paced course before the end of the semester or summer term, they may register for another self-paced course immediately or at any time during that semester up to four weeks prior to the end of the semester.