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What's a full course load? How many credit hours should you take a semester? Northwest defines a full-time student as someone taking at least twelve hours, but there's a big difference between being a full-time student and carrying a full course load.
Here's how load works.
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Credit Hours
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Status
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1 to 11.5
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Part-time (Tuition paid per credit hour. Note: at 11.5 credits, flat rate tuition kicks in.)
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12, 13,14
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Full-time — but this is a light load. It would take 3 years to earn an Associate's degree taking only 12 credits a semester. (Flat-rate tuition.)
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15, 16, 17, 18
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The Comfort Zone — This is a typical load. A student who averages 16 credits of college level work a semester can graduate in two years. (Flat-rate tuition.)
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19, 20
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Overload — This requires a 2.5 GPA and permission of adviser. (Flat-rate tuition.)
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21, 22
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Overload — This requires a 3.5 GPA and permission of adviser. (Flat-rate tuition plus additional tuition per credit over 20.5)
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23+
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Overload — This requires approval of the Student Appeals Board..
(Flat-rate tuition plus additional tuition per credit hour over 20.)
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Determining a good load is something of a balancing act. Taking too few classes can cost a good deal of extra money. On the other hand, over-extending and trying to take too many classes can be a serious mistake. Very few students successfully deal with a 19 or 20 hour load.
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