Course Load

Policy

As a student admitted to full-time study, it is your responsibility to make certain that your course load conforms to academic requirements, including the requirement that you enroll in at least 4.0 course credits each semester (see Compliance with Academic Regulations).

“Normal” Load vs. “Underload” vs. "Overload"

A "normal course load" is defined as four (4.0) course credits and, as noted above, you are expected to enroll in at least this many course credits each semester.  Only in your final semester of enrollment at Duke and with the approval of your academic dean may you enroll in a "course underload" of between 3.0 and 3.75 course credits. It stands to reason that your dean will approve such an underload only if you can complete your degree requirements with a reduced number of credits (See Underloading or Enrolling Part-time in the Last Semester). 

That said, your academic dean may permit you “for compelling reasons” to withdraw from a normal course load to an underload prior to the final four weeks of classes in a semester.  If this occurs you are still considered a full-time degree candidate at Duke. If granted permission to withdraw from a course to an underload for a reason other than a serious health or other emergency situation, you will be unlikely to receive permission again to withdraw to an underload in a subsequent semester.

Note: Some students may be bound by scholarship regulations concerning course load each semester; thus, if you are a scholarship student contemplating withdrawal from a course to an underload, you should check the conditions of your award.

You are free to enroll in a "course overload" of between 4.5 and 5.5 course credits, but during your registration window, you may register for no more than 4.5 credits.  Only after the drop/add period begins can you increase your course load to as many as 5.5 course credits without your academic dean’s permission.  Permission from your academic dean is required for an overload of 6.0 course credits. Under no circumstances will students be allowed to register for more than six credits.

Underloading or Enrolling Part-time in the Last Semester of the Senior Year

Seniors entering their last semester may request permission from their academic dean to take an underload of between 3.0 and 3.75 credits if, by so doing, they can complete graduation requirements. Seniors in their last semester may enroll part-time (i.e., in under 3.0 course credits) only if they applied through their academic dean’s office for part-time status by April 15 of the previous year.

Disadvantages of enrolling in an underload or on a part-time basis in the last semester

When considering whether to underload or to declare part-time status in your last semester at Duke, please be aware that doing so: