Course Loads

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Effective Date: June 5, 2024
Issuing Authority: Provost
Policy Contact: Vice Provost, provost@mercer.edu, 478-301-2110

Purpose

The policy outlines course loads for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.

Scope

This policy applies to all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at Mercer University.

Exclusions

None

Policy Statement

  1. Course Loads for Undergraduate Students

    A course load of 12 semester hours qualifies a student for full-time status,
    which is necessary to fully qualify for scholarships and financial aid.
    First year students will be enrolled in no more than 16 credit hours during
    the first term. The number of credit hours for first year students during
    the first semester will range from 12 to 16. After the first term, 15 to 16
    hours of credit each semester or 30 to 32 credit hours per year is typical
    and can allow students to complete specific degrees at the end of four
    academic years.After the first semester in residence, students with a
    cumulative grade point average of B (3.0) or higher may enroll for more than
    18 but not more than 20 semester hours in the following semester. The
    appropriate dean must approve course overloads, and the cumulative average
    of B must be maintained to retain the privilege of taking overloads in
    succeeding terms. A student whose cumulative grade point average is C (2.0)
    or higher may have the privilege to take a course overload during one term
    of the senior year to make up a deficiency in hours. An undergraduate’s
    maximum course load for the entire summer is 12 semester hours.

  2. Course Loads for Graduate and Professional Students

    In general, to be considered for financial aid, the student must be admitted
    to a graduate program and meet minimal half-time time enrollment
    requirements. The following are enrollment requirements for graduate
    coursework:

  3. Fall and Spring Term Enrollment

    A graduate or professional student is considered full-time for purposes of
    financial aid provided they are enrolled in 9 credit hours and half-time at
    4.5 credit hours with the exception of the programs listed below for which
    full-time enrollment for financial aid is 6 credit hours and half-time is 3
    credit hours. Doctor of Philosophy Doctor of Psychology Doctor of Ministry
    Doctor of Nursing Practice Doctor of Public Health Master of Family Therapy
    Master of Science in Health Outcomes Master of Science in Pharmaceutical
    Science

  4. Summer Term Enrollment

    Graduate and professional students are considered full time and half time
    during the summer term upon enrollment in 6 and 3 hours respectively with
    the exception of the following programs that maintain full time enrollment
    at 9 and 4.5 hours for all semesters in their program including summer:
    Doctor of Physical Therapy Master of Medical Science Master of Athletic
    Training Master of Science in Nursing Veterans should contact the U.S.
    Department of Veterans Affairs for the credit hour requirements for VA
    benefits and consult with the University’s Office of the Registrar for VA
    certification. Full-time academic enrollment expectations for program
    participation may differ from the requirements for financial aid and are
    outlined in the academic unit section of the applicable catalog.

Additional Resources

  1. Office of the Registrar: https://registrar.mercer.edu/
  2. Student Financial Planning: https://financialaid.mercer.edu/</a >

History

Revised July 1, 2023 Revised June 5, 2024