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How Many Credits Are Required for a Doctorate Degree?

Doctorate degrees are an in-demand credential for people who want to be at the top of their field—whether they’re looking to advance their professional career or teach at the college or university level.

In this blog, we help you better understand the range of credit hours for doctorate programs, who determines the credit requirements, and provide estimates about how hours equate to credit, which will help you understand how long it may take to earn your doctorate degree.

How Many Credit Hours Does it Take to Earn a Doctorate?

The hours needed to earn a doctorate varies widely—from 60 to 120 credit hours. This range large range is impacted by:

• Degree Type: The type of degree you earn—from traditional Ph.D. degrees to professional doctorates—is influential in determining your required credit hours. Most Ph.D. programs require the full 120 hours, while professional doctorates can require as few as 58 hours.
• Area of Study: What you choose to study will greatly impact your required credit hours. Subjects like the hard sciences and humanities may require fewer credit hours than fields like psychology.
• Institutional Requirements: Each university determines its curriculum structure, number of credit hours per class and required credit hours for each program. Even if you’re earning the same degree, some schools will require more or less credits based on how their program is structured.
• Regional and State Requirements: Every university is governed by both regional and state accrediting bodies. These accrediting bodies determine the minimum credit required to earn a doctorate. For example, the State of Ohio requires students earn a minimum of 60 credit hours beyond their bachelor’s degree credits.

To determine how many credit hours will be required for the doctorate degree of your choice you’ll need to research individual programs at institutions.

Earning a doctorate is challenging and rewarding, but do you know what to really expect? Download this free guide for tips and insights to help you prepare for success.  

How are credit hours defined.

A credit hour is defined by the amount of time required—in the classroom setting, as well as outside researching and studying—to complete a course. For most terminal degrees, one course is worth 3 to 4 credit hours. The number of credit hours associated with a course is determined at the university level.

At Franklin University , each credit hour equates to 30 hours worth of work. Most of our major courses are 4 credit hours, meaning it will take 120 hours worth of lessons, research and study during the term to complete the course.

There are 4 fundamental ways you earn credits in a doctoral program:

• Major Courses: Your major courses are fundamental to the subject matter of your degree. They’re focused on providing you with a breadth of experience crucial to success in the industry.
• Electives: Electives or focus area courses give you the opportunity to explore areas of specialization or in-depth study within your chosen degree program.
• Research Core: Your core research courses will teach you how to perform quantitative and secondary research, use common tools and software and prepare you with the writing skills you’ll need to write your dissertation.
• Dissertation Requirements: Your dissertation requirements commonly include a comprehensive exam, research and writing of your dissertation and a dissertation defense.

What Counts As a Previous Credit for a Doctorate Program?

While your required coursework is an obvious way to earn credits toward your doctorate degree, there may be other ways to earn credit depending on your program and institution.

When evaluating doctoral programs, you should look for ways to get credit for your previous education and professional experience.

Credit for Master’s Degrees or Previous Graduate Study

Many programs accept master’s degree credit, or credits completed at the graduate level, toward the total hours needed for a doctorate.

For example, if a doctorate program requires 90 hours of post-baccalaureate credit, up to 30 hours of master’s credit may apply toward the total credits needed to complete a doctorate.

Transfer Credit from Other Institutions

The amount of transfer credit accepted at the doctoral level varies from institution to institution. Programs with liberal transfer credit policies, like Franklin University, may allow you to transfer up to 24 hours of previously earned credit.

Credit for Professional Experience or Credentials

Certain programs will give you credit for credentials, certifications or professional education courses completed outside of a degree program.

One example of this type of credit is for Franklin University’s Ed.D. program. This doctoral program will accept professional education completed for a superintendent’s license as up to 15 hours of credit toward the doctorate.

How Long Will it Take to Earn the Credit Hours Needed to Complete a Doctorate Program?

While the number of credit hours for a doctoral program is set in stone, the length of time to graduation is highly dependent on a number of factors.

Type of Doctorate and Program

A Ph.D. program, on average, takes longer to complete than a professional doctorate. The average Ph.D. takes 8.2 years to complete, while a professional doctorate can be completed in as few as three years. There is also variance between individual areas of study within these degree classifications.

Instruction Method

Whether you attend an online program , an in-person program or a blended program that offers both options, your instruction method can greatly impact time to graduation.

• Online programs offer greater flexibility, which as a full-time student, usually results in a shorter time to graduation.
• In-person programs usually take longer to complete, often due to the additional commitments of teaching and research outside of the individual’s degree requirements.
• Blended programs provide the benefit of both methods of instruction, so time to graduation usually depends on individual availability and preference of instruction methods.

Individual Pace

For students in a professional doctorate program, a full-time student can earn a degree in three years, while students who attend part time are likely to take 4-5 years to complete a degree. However you plan to pursue your doctorate, be aware of the maximum time to completion.

For example, Franklin University’s maximum time to completion for a doctorate program is seven years. It’s unlikely it would take this long to complete your degree unless you take time off during the program.

Professional and Personal Commitments The pace at which you complete a doctorate is a personal choice. Depending on where you are in your career, you may want to continue working as you pursue your doctorate. You also need to consider the amount of time you can commit to your studies based on your personal situation, as well as the financial commitment you’re willing to make.

Whatever path you take, doctorate programs are rigorous and require a passion for your work and dedication to your studies. You must be ready to commit to attending classes (online or in-person), studying, researching and completing your dissertation.

Is Faster Better When it Comes to Earning Your Doctorate?

The number of credits required to complete your doctorate degree, and the amount of time it takes to complete these credits, is only one consideration when choosing a doctoral program. When it comes to the investment of your time, energy and finances, quicker isn’t always better.

You need to consider the quality of the program and if it meets your personal needs and professional goals. For professionals looking to complete their doctorate while working full time, Franklin University offers flexible, online doctorate programs that can help you balance your short and long-term goals.

Explore Franklin University’s doctoral programs to advance your career while accelerating your time to graduation.

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Full-time status.

A graduate (nondoctoral) student is considered a full-time student if they are enrolled in 9 quarter hours of graduate credit for the quarter. An exception is made for students matriculated in master’s degree programs that only require 4 credit courses, in which case full-time student status is attained with enrollment in 8 quarter hours of graduate credit for the quarter.

A doctoral student’s full-time status is determined by the structure of the program.

Note that full-time status may be defined differently for federal loan purposes. International students have other considerations/requirements to maintain their visa eligibility.

Course Load

Federal financial aid recipients must be enrolled in and successfully complete a minimum number of credits each term to maintain eligibility. For more information, contact your financial aid counselor.

Course Overload

A maximum course load (different from full-time status) for a graduate (nondoctoral) student is 16 credits taken across a 12-week term, with no more than 8 credits per 6-week session.

To be eligible for a course overload (greater than 16 credits per 12-week term or greater than 8 credits per 6-week session), a graduate (nondoctoral) student must:

• Have a record of successful study with 12 or more credits a term at Northeastern University
• Have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.500
• Provide a rationale to support the request

Students need to complete the appropriate form and return it to their career and academic advisor. Course overload is approved per term.

Each doctoral program has its own enrollment and course load requirements. Doctoral students who wish to seek a course overload must consult with the program director or designee.

International Student Enrollment Requirements

Importance of maintaining f-1 status.

International students studying at Northeastern are responsible for maintaining compliance with U.S. federal regulations. Failure to maintain full-time enrollment, in accordance with these regulations, can result in consequences.  Regular consultation with college academic advisors, as well as Office of Global Services international student advisors, is required before taking any action that may impact immigration status and educational endeavors in the United States.

Achieving Full-Time Enrollment Status

Full-time enrollment status must be maintained by F-1 students throughout the academic year. To achieve full-time status, graduate students must be enrolled in 8–9 credits throughout each academic term. Students can consult with their college academic advisor prior to each term to develop a course schedule to maintain full-time status. F-1 students are expected to study on-ground and cannot enroll in an online course without first speaking to a college academic advisor to confirm eligibility .  If approved , F-1 students who need to withdraw/drop from a course must withdraw/drop from the additional online course first and not from any of the on-ground core courses in order to maintain full-time status.

College of Professional Studies Academic Term

In CPS, each academic term in fall, winter, and spring is defined as a quarter term consisting of 12 weeks. Some courses are scheduled for the entire 12 weeks, while others are scheduled for either the first 6 weeks or the last 6 weeks (parts of a term). A full summer term consists of 8 weeks. Some courses are scheduled for the entire 8 weeks of a term, while others are scheduled for parts of a term.

F-1 students are required to maintain full-time enrollment status, except in the final academic term of degree completion. If the course requirements for degree completion are less than 8–9 credits, they must be completed on-ground throughout the entire final term.

Eligibility for Summer Term Off

All students, regardless of the term in which they begin studies, (e.g., CPS winter or spring quarter terms) are eligible to take the summer term off as their standard vacation term, as long as they confirm enrollment in the following fall term and they are not starting or ending their program of study in that same summer term.

Directed Study

Directed studies are offered when a course is required for a student’s program of study but said course is not available in a given academic term and there is immediacy for a student to complete said course. Academic deans/directors will make the decision if there is a compelling need to run a course as a directed study.

Independent Study

Independent study is an opportunity for a degree student to work independently under the supervision of an instructor to undertake special research, literature review, or experimental study projects in areas related to their program of study that they cannot accomplish as part of a standard course in the curriculum. A degree student may take up to two independent studies. The work to be done for an independent study is usually crafted by the student, with faculty input. Independent studies are entirely optional and not needed to graduate. A completed Request for Independent Study form, signed by both the student and the faculty member, must be submitted to the academic program for review and approval.

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Full-Time vs Part-Time Student: What’s the Difference?

Wondering about the difference between a full-time vs part-time student? If you’re thinking about applying to grad school, don’t miss our analysis!

Applying to grad school is a big decision. You must determine the program, the schools you’re applying to, and whether scholarships and funding options are available. To figure out your work-life balance, you’ll eventually need to decide if you can handle full-time student credits.

There are many factors to consider when considering whether you should be a full-time vs. part-time student. It’s an incredibly overwhelming choice, so if you’re feeling stuck, this guide was designed to help you.

Table of Contents

How Many Credit Hours Are Full-Time for Grad School?

Full-time grad school studies involve more credit hours or semester units than part-time studies.

For students seeking graduate degrees, most educational institutions require a minimum of nine (9) credit hours taken during each fall and spring semester for full-time. If you’re also planning to do a summer term, most schools require a minimum of six credit hours to be considered full-time.

Note : At most grad schools, one class equals three credit hours. Most full-time students should expect to take at least four classes each semester.

What Is a Part-Time Student in Grad School?

For most grad schools, you’ll be considered a part-time student if your credit load is below the minimum number of credit hours per semester. For the fall or spring semesters, part-time usually requires a minimum of 4.5 credit hours. For the summer term, three hours typically count as half-time.

If a student takes any less than the minimum credit hours required per term, they are often considered part-time. For example, if you take eight credit hours per semester for your Master’s in Science, you’re technically a part-time student.

Difference Between Being a Full-Time vs. Part-Time Student in Grad School

The main differences between full-time and part-time grad school programs are:

• Full-time students enroll in more credits per semester.
• Part-time students sometimes pay less tuition per semester.
• Part-time programs take longer to complete.
• Full-time students may have access to more financial aid options.
• Part-time students have more time to work while studying.

Let’s take a closer look at each difference between part-time and full-time student life.

Number of  Credits

The most obvious difference between a part-time and full-time student is the number of credit hours in any given semester. So, how many classes are full-time? This depends on where you go to school, but it’s typically considered nine credit hours (or three classes per semester).

Part-time students take roughly half the number of classes. Furthermore, these students are still considered part-time – even if their credits are slightly below the minimum full-time quota.

Tuition Rates

Your tuition is based on the number of classes you’re enrolled in. Therefore, with fewer credits earned each semester, you’ll likely pay less tuition as a part-time student. Because you’ll need to complete a specific number of credits, you’ll likely pay approximately the same amount in tuition throughout your degree.

Some schools have a flat rate per semester for full-time students, regardless of whether they are enrolled in the minimum number of full-time credits or take extra classes. In this case, by taking more than nine credit hours (or whatever is considered full-time at your school), you might complete your program in fewer semesters and pay less overall.

Academic Progress

Regardless of whether you study full-time or part-time, you’ll need to meet the exact graduation requirements to complete your degree. While part-time students take fewer classes each semester, their progress will be slower. In other words, another key difference between a full-time and a part-time student is that it will take the latter longer to complete their degree.

Say that you’ve chosen a master’s degree that can be completed within two years as a full-time student. As a part-time student, the same program may take three or four years to finish.

Financial Aid Opportunities

Full-time graduate students may be eligible for various financial aid opportunities, including grants, work-study programs, and low-interest loans.

Part-time students can also access financial aid but must be registered for at least six credit hours to qualify for the general eligibility criteria. Part-time students may also receive lower amounts of funding than their full-time classmates.

Both part-time and full-time graduate students can apply for state and federal aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) . Scholarships with individual requirements are also available. For most scholarship eligibility, you’ll need to be enrolled in a minimum number of credit hours to apply, and you may also need to be enrolled full-time.

Are There Opportunities Other Than Financial Aid?

Part-time students have more time to work while studying (and their employer may even help out with tuition fees).

Many graduate programs offer full-time students total or partial funding in exchange for working in roles (e.g., teaching assistants, research students). You will likely need to be a full-time student to qualify for this funding.

Graduate students can often apply for scholarships, fellowships, and grants , depending on the institution and field of study.

Benefits of Being a Full-Time Graduate Student

Note : For this comparison, we’re referring to full-time students with a full credit hour load (without a full-time job).

You’ll Be More Immersed in Your Degree Program

Full-time graduate students have a greater ability to devote more time and energy to their studies. Since a degree can be earned faster, you may find it easier to put other parts of your life on hold (like pressing pause on starting a career or family). This often means you’ll be able to immerse yourself more deeply into your studies and the grad school experience.

You’ll Likely Finish Your Degree Sooner

Taking on a full credit load means it’ll take you less time overall to complete your program or degree requirements. If you add summer terms, you might be able to finish your studies in record time.

Related : How Long It Takes to Earn a Master’s Degree

Increased Opportunities to Network and Build Relationships

Full-time studies allow you to build better relationships with fellow students, mentors, and professors. Since you’ll spend more time on campus, it increases the chances of running into your peers and professors. This also allows you to take advantage of social or community opportunities that may present themselves.

Better Access to Financial Aid

You may be eligible for more financial aid opportunities when you’re enrolled full-time. Many financial aid providers offer aid packages that require full-time enrollment status. Based on their higher credit load (and increased cost of attendance), full-time students are typically eligible for more federal and state financial aid than their part-time counterparts. Additionally, many grants and scholarships are only offered to full-time students.

Challenges of Being a Full-Time Graduate Student

Increased upfront costs.

More credit hours results in higher tuition costs. For graduate courses, schools usually charge tuition based on the number of credit hours. Because of this, enrolling in more credit hours usually (though not always) means you’ll pay more per semester.

Less Earning Potential

Balancing a full-time course load with a part-time job may be difficult. It will likely be even more difficult if you want to attempt working full-time. If you choose to keep working, your academic results may suffer as a result. You may want to focus on finding scholarships or other financial aid opportunities that can help you finance grad school.

Greater Risk of Burnout

Balancing your studies, career, and personal life may add to stress and eventually lead to burnout. To help prevent this issue, remember to take time for yourself and practice self-care.

You May Need to Put Your Career on Hold

If you already have an established career, it may be detrimental to take a break from it so you can focus on your studies. This can slow down or halt your momentum.

Benefits of Being a Part-Time Student

It’s easier to achieve a balance.

Work-study-life balance may be easier with a part-time course load. It’ll be less stressful to juggle priorities with fewer credit hours each term. Realistically consider what you’re able to handle as you study.

You Can Immediately Put Your Education into Practice

Part-time students may be more able to use their learnings and experience in real-time. As you go through your program, you’ll pick up knowledge and experience to apply to your real job (and vice versa). This can prove beneficial in the long run, especially if you have a career in academic research  or another field related to your studies.

Lower Annual Costs

With a part-time course load, you may have fewer costs to worry about with a part-time load. Fewer credit hours mean fewer fees and lower study costs  may make it easier for you to pay for your graduate studies. In some cases , your employer might even pick up the tab!

Challenges of Being a Part-Time Student for Graduate Study

It will likely take longer.

With a part-time course load, you’ll usually need to study longer. You may require an additional year or two to finish a graduate degree.

It Can Be Harder to Connect with Faculty

Part-time students may struggle with setting meetings if they need help with their thesis or dissertation – or want to meet with their professors for advice. This struggle is especially true if classes are taken in the evening (when most advisors and professors are unavailable).

Fewer Networking Opportunities

Part-time studies limit your opportunities to build relationships with peers and mentors. With less time spent on campus – and an increased chance of missing out on extra-curricular activities – you might struggle to find networking opportunities to help you build relationships.

How Enrollment Status Impacts College Tuition

In almost all grad schools, the tuition paid each semester is based on the number of classes or credits taken. As a full-time graduate student, you’ll pay higher tuition fees (after all, you’re taking more classes). As a part-time student, a lower course load means less tuition each semester.

Of course, you’ll end up paying the same amount – or even more – in tuition fees to complete the same number of credits for your degree. However, these costs will be spread across more semesters, reducing your upfront costs.

Although you’ll pay the same tuition, a part-time degree may cost you more once you add up certain fees other than tuition (like annual).

Studying part-time will give you more opportunities to work simultaneously and earn income that you can use to fund your studies. Paying a significant portion of your grad school will help reduce the number of loans you take, saving you significantly on loan interest.

Can You Be Both a Part-Time and a Full-Time Student?

No. You’ll be a full-time or part-time student based on the number of credit hours you enroll in during a semester. Full-time designation depends on the institution, but it’s usually considered nine credits (or three classes) for grad students.

However, just because you start out as a full-time student doesn’t mean you can’t switch to being a part-time student (and vice versa).

Depending on your work or personal commitments, stress levels, financial situation, and various other factors, you can decide the number of courses to enroll in each semester. Just be aware that reducing your enrollment may affect your eligibility for financial aid and other assistance (such as housing grants).

3 Tips to Choose Between Full-Time and Part-Time Grad School

If the pros and cons listed above weren’t enough, here are a few tips to help you choose between being a full-time vs. part-time student.

1. Don’t Rush the Decision

Don’t rush this process. It may be a good idea to take some time for yourself before you decide. Consider taking a vacation or just a few days off work to relax. This time might help you gain the necessary perspective to make the best decision.

2. Talk to Your  Employer

It can be tough to decide when you don’t quite know whether your employer will be understanding. Before you decide between part-time or full-time programs, speak to your boss or employer about your academic goals. Will your boss be able to accommodate your changing schedule? Will your graduate qualifications help you land a higher-paid Ph.D. position  in the future?

3. Get Your Family On Board

Taking even more time away from your family to simultaneously balance studies and work is challenging for anyone. Before you decide, talk to your family and get them on board first. At the very least, explain how things at home may change until you graduate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to be a part-time student.

Generally speaking, as a part-time graduate student, you’ll pay less each semester than studying full-time, but you’ll probably pay more over the length of your degree. While tuition fees are lower, there are certain costs you will need to pay each semester (such as mandatory fees), which add up.

Can You Work and Be a Full-Time Student?

Many students work while pursuing a degree, including those juggling full credit loads. In fact, around 27% of full-time students  work at least 20 hours a week.

However, the more hours you work outside your studies, the likelier your academic success will be impacted. Consult with your academic advisor. They’ll be able to guide you on a realistic work commitment that won’t adversely affect your studies.

How Long Does Graduate School Take for Part-Time Students?

This will depend on how many credit hours you enroll in each semester, but most part-time graduate students complete the program in between three and six years. Some schools require you to complete your degree within a certain timeframe, most commonly between five and seven years.

Do You Need to Be a Full-Time Student for FAFSA?

No. Students enrolled for at least six credit hours per semester are eligible for federal financial aid through the FAFSA. The amount of aid received depends on your credit load and your assessed financial need.

Full-Time  or Part-Time Grad School: What’s Best for You?

Deciding between becoming a full-time vs. part-time student is a massive life step – and it’s only something that only you can do. You’ll need to consider several factors like budget, current commitments, and whether your employer will support your academic career.

Regardless of your choice, get all your ducks in a row before enrolling — and seek financial aid to ease the burden!

Chriselle Sy

Chriselle has been a passionate professional content writer for over 10 years. She writes educational content for The Grad Cafe, Productivity Spot, The College Monk, and other digital publications.  When she isn't busy writing, she spends her time streaming video games and learning new skills.

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Doctoral Program Stages and Requirements

It is recommended to insure successful completion of your doctoral program that students consider following the stages outlined below. In addition to considering the suggested stages, all PhD students should obtain and carefully read the most current edition of the Graduate School's Graduate Student Manual: Policies and Procedures for Graduate Students . EdD students should carefully read the most current edition of the Graduate School of Education's EdM and EdD regulations and procedures.

Recommended Timeline for PhD Students

Confer with your assigned major advisor on all of the following.

Stage I: Advanced Graduate Standing

(Completion time: 1 year full time; 2 to 3 years part time)

• Meet faculty in your program area
• Fill in the Initial Course Plan Statement—make personal copies of all paper work
• Fill in Graduate School petition form for (a) any credits that are over 10 years old at student’s admission and for (b) all non-UB transfer credits
• Use final course papers as pilot studies and/or examination of issues to probe possible dissertation questions
• Register for 18 to 24 credit hours (at least 9 in major courses and 9 in research courses)
• Register for, and pass, the Research Analysis Examination
• Submit advisor-signed Initial Course Plan Statement to the Doctoral Student Coordinator

Stage II: Doctoral Program Standing

• Read others’ dissertation proposals and dissertations, and attend their defenses
• Complete 33 to 36 credit hours of coursework
• Complete and defend the research experience component in a public forum (Complete the Human Subjects Research tutorial and get IRB approval months in advance)
• Complete the research component approval form with two or more graduate faculty, including your advisor. Submit form to the Doctoral Student Coordinator
• PhD Students: Submit Graduate School Application to Candidacy form to the Doctoral Studies Committee EdD Students: Submit GSE Statement of Program form to the Doctoral Studies Committee
• If there are substitutions to courses approved on the initial course plan statement, file the Change in Application to Candidacy from initial course plan statement (page 4) and submit it to the assistant to the chair
• Complete dissertation checklist and timeline with your advisor

Stage III: Doctoral Candidacy

(Completion time: 1 to 2 years full time; 2 to 3 years part time)

• For students who need full-time status but not 12 credits a semester (or 9 if a GA), file a Certification of Full Time Status form (e.g., GAs, international students, loan deferrals)
• Complete and defend dissertation proposal in a public forum and submit Dissertation Proposal approval form with three or more graduate faculty, including your advisor
• PhD : Concentration : 25 credit hours; Research : 21 hours; LAI 645 : 6 hours
• EdD : Major : 16 hours; Research/Measure/Evaluate : 18 hours; Minor : 9 hours; LAI 644 : 6 hours; Elective : 3 hours
• Complete and defend dissertation in a public forum; dissertation: 10 credit hours (Several forms are needed for degree conferral)

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Department of Physics and Astronomy

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PhD Program Requirements

Our physics and astronomy PhD program typically takes five to seven years to complete and includes:

• Preliminary Assessment and Qualifying Examinations
• Dissertation

In addition to the areas above, all students are strongly encouraged to attend the department colloquia and the biweekly research seminars presented by each of the department's research groups. Please also visit the AS&E Graduate Student Handbook .

Each student must complete at least eight advanced four credit-hour courses (numbered PHY 400-589) in the department, with a B- or higher. These courses cannot be research or reading courses, and at least two of the eight must be considered an advanced sequence. The specialty courses are two-term advanced level sequences in specific fields of modern physics (numbered PHY 5x1, 5x2), and several independent one-term courses and two-term course sequences in astrophysics (AST 4xx, 5xx). Students normally take the sequence in their chosen specialty sequence within the first four years of their graduate studies. Several special-topics courses are also offered each year. Links to Physics and Astronomy course lists and descriptions can be found on the graduate coursework page.

Transfer credits and substitutions must be approved by the Graduate Committee .

Students are required to go through the preliminary assessment at the end of the first year. The preliminary assessment is based on performance in the four required core courses, to a standard deemed passable by the individual faculty teaching those courses, along with research experience after the first year of study. The four required core courses are: PHY 407 Quantum Mechanics, PHY 415 Electromagnetic Theory, PHY 403 Modern Statistics and Exploration of Large Data Sets, and PHY 418 Statistical Mechanics. 

Reading and Research Courses

Students may also take reading or research courses, by arrangement and persmission with individual faculty members. These courses can be taken anywhere from 1 to 12 credit-hours, depending on scope. 

• PHY/AST 591: Readings in physics/astrophysics. Instructor permission required for registration. This is the principal "reading course" in the graduate curricululm. It consists of an in-depth study of a specialized topic, with scope and submitted work created by agreement with a faculty member, who also faciliates the course.
• PHY/AST 595: PhD Research in Physics/Astrophysics. Instructor permission required for registration. This is the cousre for which each student registers each semester after joining a research group, as a way of recording academic actiity after completion of formal courses. The credit-hour number for which one registers it the difference between the full-time credit-hour total (9 credits for research and teaching assistants, 12 credits otherwise) and the number of credits of formal or reading courses taken; thus a research assistant who takes no formal courses in a given semester registers for at least 9 credit-hours of PHY or AST 595. 

Credit Requirements

All graduate students in our department are given, upon admission, a tuition waiver good for 90 credit-hours. Full-time graduate students who hold research or teaching assistantships must register for at least 12 credit-hours each semester, until the 90-credit limit is reached. If you reach 90 units hours, you may not register for any more unit bearing courses without special approval from both the Department and the AS&E GEPA office. If you reach 90 credit hours in a semester causing units for that semester to be under the 12 required to be full-time, you will also need to add either PHYS 997 onto your schedule as a placeholder to make you full-time if it is in your 4th year, or if in your 5th year or beyond, please add PHYS 999 as the place holder for full-time enrollment as well. After completion of formal courses and entrance into the research groups, students should usually register for 12 units each semester of PHY or AST 595 PhD Research in Physics/Astrophysics. After passing the 90-credit limit, full-time graduate students in residence must register for PHY or AST 999 each semester. Enrollment in PHY 999 requires a continuation fee, which is usually -- though not always -- paid by the student's thesis advisor using research funds. 

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Examinations

Preliminary assessment.

The preliminary assessment has replaced the preliminary exam beginning with the 2017-18 academic year. The preliminary assessment is based on the performance in the four required core courses, to a standard deemed passable by the individual faculty teaching those courses. The first year curriculum includes the four required core courses - PHY 403, 407, 415, 418 - plus two electives. (PHY 403: Modern Statistics and Exploration, PHY 407: Quantum Mechanics I, PHY 415: Electromagnetic Theory, PHY 418: Statistical Mechanics). Please see your assigned cohort advisor for elective suggestions.

The preliminary assessment is completed by the preliminary assessment committee. To continue in the PhD program one must pass the assessment at the PhD level.

The committee can decide to pass a student or it can require that the student repeat poorly performed parts of the assessment. If a student shows specific weaknesses, the committee may also choose to pass that student under the condition that the student remedies the deficiency with additional coursework.

Normally each student is allowed two attempts to pass the preliminary assessment.

Advanced transfer students who have passed similar assessment at another graduate school may be excused from taking it in the department. This decision will be made by the Graduate Committee, in consultation with members of the Preliminary Assessment Committee and the department chair.

Qualifying Examination

Students must pass the qualifying examination to continue for the doctoral degree. Once you have passed the qualifying exam, you will be considered advanced to candidacy. The exam is usually taken once the student has chosen a thesis advisor and an area of research. The exam is usually scheduled within two years of passing the preliminary assessment but in any case must be taken before the end of year four. The function of the qualifying examination is to demonstrate that the student is ready to proceed with independent research. The qualifying exam in our department is not considered a thesis proposal. Whether or not the specifics/brief from your qualifying exam become part of your dissertation is a topic of discussion and entirely up to you and your advisor for a later date.

As soon as possible, but ideally no later than one year after a student obtains a PhD advisor, students should form a Dissertation Advisory Committee (DAC), which will serve as the Qualifying Exam Committee, and set a date or a range of dates for the qualifying exam.

After the DAC is formed, students must submit a short, informal written statement to the graduate coordinator summarizing their work in the previous term after every semester. The coordinator then disseminates the statements to the advisor and members of the DAC.

To take the qualifying examination, each student must find a faculty sponsor. The sponsor is usually the student's thesis advisor, but is not required to be.

The sponsor and student will mutually agree on a research topic in which the student will prepare an oral presentation, no more than 25 minutes in length and an accompanying written brief of no more than 10 journal-style pages. The presentation and brief should demonstrate progress toward original research. The qualifying exam is closed, to be attended only by the student and their committee.

If a student has published, submitted, or drafted a paper for a research journal based on this research, that document or a subset of it can be used as the brief, provided that the advisor deems the document to be reasonably accessible to the broader audience of the qual committee.

The chosen topic and copies of the brief should be distributed to the Qualifying Examination Committee members at least two weeks prior to the exam.

The committee for the Qualifying Examination will consist of at least four faculty members, including:

• The student's thesis advisor or sponsor. The advisor fills only that role on the committee.
• A faculty member in the same research area
• One theorist for a student in experimental physics or one experimentalist for a student in theoretical physics.
• One faculty member outside of the research area
• At least two faculty members on the committee must be primarily appointed in physics and astronomy

One of the members may be from outside of the department, if appropriate. 

Each student should schedule the qualifying examination, in consultation with the exam committee members and the graduate program coordinator, and make all final arrangements at least two weeks before the exam. The graduate students reaches direclty out to the committee members, after being given persmisison to proceed from their advisor, to arrange for the exact date and the exact time for the qualifying exam to be held. The student must email the graduate program coordinator at least two weeks before the exam is to be held with the date, time and list of committee members. The graduate program coordinator then completes the exam appointment form obtaining approval from the students advisor, the director of graduate studies and finally the AS&E GEPA office. It is this approval process that is part of the reason for the two weeks advanced notice of the exam. The other main reason for the two weeks notice is that the brief must be written and out to the committee with at least two weeks notice so that your faculty committee each are given sufficient time to review the brief and perpare for the exam.

To begin the exam, the committee may ask the student to step out of the room while it briefly reviews the student's academic progress toward degree, the advisor conveys any necessary annotations, and the committee organizes its questioning procedure. The student will the be called in for their presentation. 

After the examination, the Exam Committee files a written report. Three members of the Examination Committee will continue to serve as a Dissertation Advisory Committee for the student, and meet about once a year to provide the Graduate Committee with a written report of progress toward a PhD. These regular meetings may be waived only by permission of the chair of the Graduate Committee.

The Dissertation Advisory Committee can be called into special session at any time by any of the following parties: the student, the thesis advisor (and/or internal advisor), or the Graduate Committee.

Students are required to serve at least one year as a Teaching Assistant (TA). The basic duties of a TA include:

• Running workshop,recitation or laboratory sessions
• Offering office hours for consultation with students
• Grading homework and examinations

Faculty teaching supervisors may also ask TAs to assist in curriculum development. First time TAs must also participate in the TA training program .

Both teaching and research assistants are expected to be present for duties during the entire period of their appointment, even when classes are not in session. Students who are registered for 12 credit-hours of non-research courses are expected to work an average of 16 hours a week on their teaching or research responsibilities. Students are entitled to two weeks of vacation during the academic year, which should be arranged in coordination with their supervisor.

In addition, the department also offers its PhD students an opportunity to earn a certificate in college teaching of physics and astronomy . The training program leading to this certificate includes complete responsibility for teaching an introductory physics course during the summer session, under the general guidance of a faculty mentor.

As soon as possible, graduate students should become familiar with the research programs available in the department, choose a field of specialization, and ask a faculty member to serve as thesis advisor and principal PhD supervisor. It is each student's own responsibility to find a thesis advisor. Usually, one's advisor will provide financial support (in the form of a research assistantship) through some appropriate research grant. There is no formal assignment process for joining a research group. Once a student has an understanding with a research advisor to join the group, the graduate program coordinator must be notified so that the financials can be transferred over to the appropriate account(s) and approvals obtained in the 506 form process.

It is also possible pursue your thesis in a research group outside the department. If you choose to work with a thesis advisor who does not hold a full-time appointment at the University or a joint appointment in this department, you must also find a member of our department faculty who is willing to act as the internal advisor for your thesis.

The Graduate Committee and graduate program coordinator must be apprised of your proposed arrangement.

Dissertation and Defense

All PhD students are required to prepare and defend a dissertation. The purpose of the thesis defense is to demonstrate the significance of the dissertation, and the adequacy of the arguments presented in support of the thesis. Please notify the graduate office ( [email protected] ) of your intention to complete a thesis and set a defense date.

The written dissertation must conform to the format specified by the University Office of Graduate Studies’ Preparing Your Thesis (PDF) . The rules for the PhD defense are given in the Official Bulletin on Regulations Concerning Graduate Study (PDF). The dean of graduate studies has also provided a helpful Guide for Graduate Students Preparing for PhD Defense .

When it is complete, and approved by all members of your Thesis Committee, your dissertation may be registered with the dean of graduate studies through the graduate program coordinator, and your defense scheduled no later than 15 business days before the date of the defense.

The examining Thesis Defense Committee consists of the thesis advisor, at least two other full-time department faculty members, and at least one faculty member from another department. A separate defense chair, also from another department, oversees and manages the exam. He or she can, but is not expected to, participate in the questioning. The student and thesis advisor suggest committee members, choose a committee chair, and then the student and graduate program coordinator register the defense.

In advance of the registration of a thesis, students and advisors should plan on at least 10 additional working days for each committee member to review the thesis document and sign off on the work. Students can send copies of their thesis to the committee electronically, as long as they provide bound paper copies to those who request them.

Each defense consists of a public, one-hour lecture by the candidate, followed by a closed-session oral examination of the candidate's thesis. The examination includes the subject matter of the dissertation, and developments in the specialty area in which the dissertation is written. After questioning, the candidate is briefly excused from the room while the Thesis Defense Committee votes on the results. The vote to pass the defense must be unanimous.

After your defense, the University Deans’ Office will send you an email with instructions for electronic submission of the final corrected dissertation and abstract to ProQuest, along with additional instructions for degree completion.

Linda Case, Graduate Program Office

[email protected]

Students can also contact the Graduate Committee .

Full-Time Graduate Student Status

The Graduate School at The University of Texas at Austin recognizes these as minimum full-time course loads. Individual graduate programs may require more.

Fall & Spring Terms

9 term hours for full-time status, summer term, 3 term hours for full-time status, affiliated studies.

The three credit-hour minimum course load for the summer term may be satisfied in one six-week term, or in the nine-week or 12-week terms. Students enrolled in Affiliated Studies—study abroad programs offered by organizations and institutions with which the university has an affiliation agreement—are considered full-time students.

Graduate students who must register and remain registered for a full-time course load:

Holders of graduate school-administered fellowships and scholarships, assistant instructors, teaching assistants, academic assistants, assistants, graduate research assistants and tutors, students living in university housing; students receiving certain student loans, international students.

Agencies that grant loans or provide for educational funding may establish different definitions of full-time status. Students should be familiar with the regulations of any agency to which they have an obligation.

Office of the Registrar

Certification of full-time status, when needed, is provided by the Office of the Registrar.

Maximum Course Load

Spring and fall term: 15 hours, 12 week summer term: 12 hours.

Students who wish to exceed the maximum course load must submit a petition letter from their graduate adviser to the graduate dean for approval.

How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD?

If you aspire to rise to the top of your field, then you may have your sights set on a PhD.

Earning a doctoral degree can be a years-long process, but choosing an accelerated doctoral online program may help you complete your program more quickly.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

Whether you’re wanting to earn one of the highest paying doctoral degrees or you have a specific one in mind, this guide can help walk you through how long it takes to complete your PhD program.

For a traditional, campus-based PhD program, the average time to finish a PhD is 8 years. Fulfilling the program’s requirements will often demand a serious investment of your time.

Even still, some people are able to finish their programs in just 3 to 6 years. Multiple factors may influence the overall length of your program.

Required Credit Hours

Many PhD programs require you to earn 120 credit hours before entering the exam and dissertation phases.

Fortunately, there are PhD programs without such high credit-hour demands. For example, at some universities, you may earn a PhD with only 60 credit hours.

Full-Time vs. Part-Time Schedule

Enrolling in a doctoral program part-time may allow you to keep up with your regular job. You’ll have to decide whether you prefer the flexibility of part-time schooling or the faster schedule of full-time studies.

Final Project Requirements

Many PhD programs end with the completion of a dissertation. This assignment may take years to complete, so PhD students often end up in the all-but-dissertation (ABD) phase for quite some time.

University Scheduling

Some schools promote their ability to help you through the PhD process faster than normal. Accelerated class schedules with eight-week online courses may speed your studies along. Focused attention from dissertation advisors may help as well.

PhD Program Components

Before you enroll in a PhD program, it’s important to know some of the basic requirements:

Prerequisites

Most schools require you to already hold a master’s degree, but some offer bachelor’s-to-PhD programs.

Length to Completion

On average, it takes eight years to earn a PhD. Even still, completing doctoral coursework and a dissertation in three to four years is not unheard of.

Topic of Interest

PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be getting a philosophy degree. Your field of study will depend on your interests and the programs that your university offers. You may tailor your doctoral focus though your choice of a dissertation topic.

Steps to Completion

You’ll take advanced classes before sitting for comprehensive exams. After passing your exams, you’ll likely begin working on a dissertation. You must defend your dissertation before finishing your program.

Doctoral studies begin with a series of classes through which you may increase your knowledge of your field of study and learn about conducting research. These are advanced classes, so they should be more in-depth than the ones you took during your undergraduate and master’s programs.

The number of courses that you need to take can vary significantly. It’s not uncommon for PhD programs to require 120 credit hours of coursework. That amounts to about 40 classes.

At other schools, the requirements are lower. Your university’s program may involve just 60 credit hours or, possibly, even fewer. A less intense course load may significantly slash your time to completion.

Your university may require you to maintain a GPA above a minimum threshold. An unsatisfactory GPA may keep you from moving on to the next step of the PhD process.

Comprehensive Examinations

Universities often require students to demonstrate their readiness for a doctoral project before advancing to the next stage of their studies. Readiness is proven through comprehensive exams , which may also be known as:

• Preliminary examinations
• Major field examinations
• General examinations

Often, comprehensive exams take the form of written or oral tests. In other situations, faculty may assess students’ readiness on the basis of a portfolio evaluation or a written paper.

Dissertation and Defense

A dissertation, also known as a graduate thesis, is a body of work that presents original research in your field. This manuscript focuses on a unique idea and includes evidence to support your thesis. During your doctoral studies, there are classes designed to help prepare you for your dissertation work.

The dissertation process may take several years. Once your manuscript is complete, you must defend it to the doctoral program faculty. After your defense, you may need to do further work on your manuscript, or the committee may decide that your dissertation is complete.

Not all programs require a dissertation. Instead, there may be an alternative doctoral project. Although both dissertations and capstone projects are rigorous, projects can sometimes be completed within a shorter time frame.

Average Time to Complete PhD by Field of Study

Students in some disciplines usually take a lot more time to finish their doctoral work than students in other fields.

If you’re studying in the following scientific fields, you may be more likely to earn your on-campus degree in seven years or less:

• Physics — average of five years
• Psychology — average of five to seven years

On the other hand, if your field of study relates more to the humanities, your on-campus degree program may take longer:

• History — average of eight years
• English — average of eight years
• Education — average of 13 years

These are the traditional figures. There are ways to finish faster.

Why Does It Take So Long to Finish a Traditional PhD?

Some schools require doctoral students to take around 40 classes, which, in a traditional on-campus setting, may take years. After completing the coursework, you must write your dissertation and defend it. The dissertation process alone might take multiple years.

Doctoral programs online may help shorten the PhD process to three or four years. Fewer credit hours may be required, and the classes may be delivered in an accelerated format.

Schools with an emphasis on quick doctoral programs may also offer dissertation advisors to efficiently guide students through that phase. Alternatively, some universities allow students to complete capstone projects that don’t take as long as dissertations.

Getting a PhD Online vs. Campus

Online education has changed students’ options for earning a PhD. These days, aspiring students may choose whether to attend classes on a college campus or online.

Traditional programs may require you to relocate to the university’s campus and attend school full-time. On average, it takes just over eight years to complete those programs. The benefits of choosing an online school instead may include:

Faster Progress

Accelerated eight-week courses may allow you to finish your course load sooner. You may complete your entire program in just three or four years.

Multiple Start Dates

Online programs often let you join throughout the year, so you don’t have to put your studies on hold until the fall semester.

Flexibility

Not being required to move to campus or come to class at set times may allow you to work your studies around your schedule.

Equal Status

Online programs are just as rigorous as on-campus ones. As long as your university is accredited, your degree will be just as valuable as one from a traditional university setting.

Cost-Savings

Finishing your doctoral studies faster may mean that you pay less tuition.

How to Finish Your PhD in Less Time

Although you can’t earn a doctoral degree overnight, you shouldn’t have to spend the majority of your working years striving toward PhD-completion. The following tips for accelerating the PhD process may help you finish your studies more quickly than the average doctoral student.

1. Use What You Already Know

Every school requires a minimum number of credit hours that you must earn in the pursuit of your degree. To help you meet this threshold, some schools will allow you to transfer in credits from other doctoral programs. Universities may also give you credit for your professional experience. Reducing your class load may save you both time and money.

2. Look for Short Classes

Accelerated course schedules are one of the best ways to speed through the degree process. Every eight weeks, you’ll begin a new set of classes. Over the course of a year, there may be five different sessions during which you can take classes.

3. Work on Your Dissertation Throughout the Program

Traditionally, dissertation work begins once the classroom portion of your studies is over. Quick doctoral programs may allow you to begin the dissertation process while you’re still taking other classes. This approach, known as an embedded dissertation, may reduce the likelihood that you’ll drop out before finishing your final project. It might also speed up your doctoral timeline.

4. Ask for Help

A lack of support can lead some doctoral students to drop out. On the other hand, having a good support system can help you push through and finish your program more quickly. Build a team of family, friends, and academic mentors who can encourage you, guide you, and lend practical help when you’re feeling overwhelmed by school.

Why Get a PhD?

You may need to earn a doctoral degree to achieve your career goals . For example, if you want to become a clinical psychologist, this level of study is essential. Many scientific and research positions require doctoral studies. University faculty typically need to hold terminal degrees as well.

Even if a doctorate is not a requirement for your desired line of work, it may help you achieve greater success. You might be granted higher levels of responsibility, and you may earn more money. In some fields, those who hold PhDs make around 20% more than those with master’s degrees, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics .

Do You Have to Have a Master’s Degree to Get a PhD?

Many schools consider a master’s degree an essential prerequisite for PhD admission. If you don’t already have a master’s degree, a bachelor’s-to-doctorate program may allow you to earn a master’s and a PhD for less time and money than it would take to pursue them separately.

How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD After a Master’s?

You may be able to complete your doctoral program in three to four years if you opt for an accelerated online program. On average, traditional on-campus PhD programs take around eight years to complete.

How Hard Is It to Finish a PhD?

Doctoral studies are challenging. That shouldn’t come as a surprise; if doctorates were easy to acquire, nearly every college graduate would end up with a PhD behind his or her name.

Approximately 50% of students who begin a PhD program don’t end up finishing. Many quit within two years of starting. Another large portion gives up upon reaching the dissertation phase.

Although all PhD programs are challenging, the flexible nature of online programs may help you find success. Choosing a doctoral track that doesn’t require a dissertation may help as well.

What Is the Easiest PhD to Get?

All PhD programs are demanding, but you might have an easier time if you select a program that aligns with your interests and your career goals. The flexibility of online study may help your doctoral program seem less burdensome. In addition, capstone projects are sometimes easier than writing dissertations.

If earning a doctoral degree in a short time frame is important to you, then consider the many potential benefits that online programs have to offer. Within just a few years, you may be able to place the letters “PhD” at the end of your name.

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Credit Hour Policy

All full-time students at KGI are required to be enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester credit hours. In order to be considered full-time for purposes of federal financial aid, graduate students must be enrolled in at least 12 credits per semester. (The one exception is the PhD program: to be considered full-time, PhD students must be enrolled in 15 semester credits per term). To maintain full-time status, and to comply with federal guidelines, more than 50% of all earned academic credit must be completed in coursework where “seat-time” does apply. In order to be considered half-time, graduate students must be enrolled in at least six credits per semester and obtain permission prior to the start of the semester from the Dean.

KGI awards credits in accordance with the following criteria: for each 1 credit, a course meets for 1 hour per week in a 15- week semester, as further defined below. For example, a three- credit course is expected to have a total of 45 classroom hours and 90 hours of student work outside of class per semester. 

KGI is on the semester system. Each semester or term is approximately 15 weeks. Course credit hour calculations are based on a 15- week semester.

For all KGI courses bearing academic credit, the “semester credit hour” is defined using the Carnegie Definition as “the amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than.

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UNC Charlotte Academic Policy: Academic Load and Time Status for all Graduate Students

I. executive summary.

This policy is meant to add clarity to the definitions of both part-time and full-time enrollment.

II. Policy Statement

UNC Charlotte uses a standard Academic Load to determine time status of graduate students for Loan Deferment, Financial Aid, Visa Status, Payroll Tax Withholding, Graduate Assistant Support Plan, and Veteran’s Benefits. This Academic Load is the only resource used to determine a student’s status for these purposes, and the following definitions apply to all graduate students, U.S. and international, participants and non-participants in the Graduate Assistant Support Plan (GASP).

An appropriate course load is dependent upon two factors: (1) the scholastic ability of the student as reflected by their academic history and (2) the time available for study. A course load of 9 credit hours constitutes a normal full semester program for a graduate student in a Fall or Spring semester, while 6 credit hours constitutes a normal full load in the Summer. This is lower than the normal undergraduate load because of the extensive reading, independent thinking, and individual research required of graduate students. Graduate students should not register for more than 12 credit hours during a Fall or Spring semester or 9 credit hours in a Summer term.

Students who hold an eligible graduate assistantship may hold the assistantship with 6 credit hours, unless they participate in the Graduate Assistant Support Plan (GASP) in which case they must be full-time enrolled as defined below. Students enrolled in 6 credit hours, however, are not considered to be enrolled full-time.

International students on F-1 visa/status are required, by immigration regulations, to pursue a full course load during each academic semester, except during official school breaks (e.g., summer vacation and winter holidays) unless a reduced course load is approved in advance by the Designated School Officer (DSO) at the International Student Scholar Office. Failure to enroll for a full course load without prior approval is considered a violation of the F-1 legal status. International students who hold a graduate assistantship must be full-time enrolled as defined below.

Fall and Spring Semesters

Graduate students enrolled in a doctoral program with a dissertation or in a master’s program and pursuing the thesis option.

• Enroll in at least 9 credit hours per semester, or
• Have completed coursework and the number of thesis/dissertation hours for credit in their graduate degree program, as well as the requisite milestones, and are approved to take GRAD 9800 or GRAD 7800 for 3 credit hours (may be repeatable with prior approval)
• Three Quarter (3/4) Time: 7-8 credit hours
• Half (1/2) Time: 5-6 credit hours
• Less than Half (1/2) Time: 1-4 credit hours
• Maximum Load: 12 credit hours

Graduate students enrolled in a degree program not requiring a thesis or dissertation.

• Full-Time: 9 or more credit hours

Summer Terms

Graduate students enrolled in any program.

• Full-Time: 6 or more credit hours
• Three Quarter (3/4) Time: 4-5 credit hours
• Half (1/2) Time: 3 credit hours
• Less than Half (1/2) Time: 1-2 credit hours
• Maximum Load: 9 credit hours

III. Definitions

• Course load – Number of credit hours for which a student is enrolled during a semester.
• 750 minutes of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of 1500 minutes of out-of-class student work for one semester hour of credit; or
• At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities or instructional modes of delivery as established by the institution including distance education, hybrid, and face-to-face instruction; laboratory work; internships; practica; studio work; and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.
• Dissertation – The major research project normally required as part of the work for a doctoral degree. Dissertations are expected to make a new and creative contribution to the field of study, or to demonstrate one’s excellence in the field.
• Doctoral degree – The most advanced degree, awarded following additional study, often after completion of a master’s degree.
• Graduate assistantship – Employment whereby a graduate student receives financial support for their contributions to the teaching, research, and service missions of the University.
• Master’s degree – An advanced degree (e.g., Master of Arts [M.A.], Master of Science [M.S.]) awarded by a university after completion of studies beyond a bachelor’s degree.
• Thesis – A long essay or dissertation involving personal research, written by a candidate for a graduate degree.

IV. Policy and Procedure Contact(s)

• Authority : Faculty Council [Faculty Academic Policy and Standards Committee]
• Responsible Office : The Graduate School , Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
• Additional Contact(s) : International Student and Scholar Office , Office of Student Financial Aid , Veterans Services Office
• Established: TBD
• Revised: March 12, 2020 [Updated to include Summer terms]
• Revised: May 24, 2022 [Removed references to research-based capstone]

VI. Related Policies, Procedures and Resources

• Faculty Resources for Academic Credit Hour

VII. Frequently Asked Questions

• Where is this policy referenced? The policy is published on the Academic Policies & Procedures webpage of the Provost website and in the Degree Requirements & Academic Policies section of the Graduate Catalog .
• Which students are covered under this policy? This policy applies to all graduate students at UNC Charlotte.
• What is the difference between full-time and part-time? In the Fall and Spring semesters, graduate students are defined as full-time at 9 credit hours, at half-time at 5-6 credit hours, and less than half-time 1-4 credit hours. In the Summer term, graduate students are defined as full time at 6 credit hours, at half-time at 3 credit hours, and less than half-time 1-2 credit hours.

Credit Hour Policy

Policy statement.

The Johns Hopkins University’s nine academic divisions operate under a variety of semester and other term systems, in which credits (equivalently, credit hours) are awarded, and alternative systems with equivalent measures wherein credit hours are not awarded. The Credit Hour Policy (“Policy”) codifies practices across Johns Hopkins University (“JHU” or “University”) schools regarding the awarding of credit hours, in accordance with Federal, State, and accreditation guidelines. This Policy applies equally to all credit-bearing courses regardless of duration, mode of delivery, or instructional format.

Full Policy

The full policy  can be found in the JHU Policy and Document Library. 

School of Nursing Specific Information

The School of Nursing Academic Credit Hour Policy describes how academic credits are calculated for clinical hours including laboratory clinical hours.

For clinical/laboratory experiences, one academic credit is equal to 4 hours of clinical/laboratory experience in all programs and tracks except the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Track. Thus, one clinical/laboratory/practicum credit hour is calculated as 4 clock hours per week per semester week, which is equal to 56 clock hours/semester for 1 credit.

One academic credit is equal to 8 hours in the clinical setting in the DNP nurse anesthesia track (112 clock hours).

One hour of simulation is equivalent to 2 hours of clinical in the MSN Entry into Nursing Program. 

This policy applies to students enrolled in a Johns Hopkins School of Nursing course.

Policy Library

Hour loads for graduate students.

The following general policies are provided to serve as guidelines for determining the hourly workloads of students who are pursuing graduate degrees:

• Full-time graduate students are expected to give primary attention to the pursuit of their degrees.
• Graduate students are expected to take semester workloads which will contribute to substantial progress toward a degree.
• Graduate students shall register for a number of hours of research which is consistent with a realistic appraisal of the amount of work to be done on a project, thesis, or dissertation, and the amount of faculty involvement and use of Institute facilities required.
• Realistic accounting for graduate student credit hours helps support a quality graduate program.

Transcript Recognition of Teaching and Research Activity

Students holding graduate teaching or graduate research assistantships may register for courses in recognition of teaching (8997) and research (8998) activities if these courses are available for their school. The 8997 and 8998 courses are audit-base courses. A student may not register for more than a total of 9 hours of 8997 and 8998 during any semester.

Course Load Requirements

The following regulations shall govern the semester registration requirements for students who are pursuing graduate degrees:

• Full-time students must be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours on a letter grade or pass-fail basis. As an exception, the advisor and school chair may allow up to 3 hours out of the 12 minimum to be taken on an audit basis in Fall and Spring semesters; in Summer semesters the advisor and school chair may allow up to 6 hours out of the 12 minimum to be taken on an audit basis. Hours in excess of the required 12 may be taken on any basis. Full-time students working exclusively on thesis research should be registered for 18 or more hours of 7000 or 9000 (Master's or Doctoral Thesis) in Fall and Spring semesters, and for up to 16 hours during Summer semesters.
• graduate research and teaching assistants
• students supported by fellowships, traineeships, or individual grants
• students with out-of-state tuition waivers
• students assigned to the Institute by the Armed Forces for the purpose of pursuing a degree
• students on student visas
• graduate co-op students on non-work semesters.
• Students involved in thesis research must register for an appropriate number of 7000 or 9000 hours.
• The minimum load for part-time students is 3 credit hours.
• A student may register for only one hour of Master's or Doctoral Thesis (7000 or 9000) during the semester of graduation. This exception may be used once for each degree.
• The maximum allowable semester load for employed students other than graduate assistants is reduced as a function of the number of hours employed per week as follows:

The minimum load for these students is three hours, except as described in Course Load Requirement #5 above, but such students should be encouraged to take the maximum load they can handle in order to progress toward completion of the degree.

Course Selection

Full-time students are expected to enroll for a letter grade in regular courses and thesis hours whenever possible. Registration loads should reflect, as much as possible, the student and faculty efforts involved in the program of study. Registration loads each semester should be comprised of various hours from the areas listed below:

n Regular courses: letter-grade, pass-fail and in special cases, audit;

n 7000 or 9000 courses for thesis students;

n Special problem or research project courses;

n Specific courses for teaching or research education;

n GTA/GRA courses 8997/8998 (up to a maximum of 9) if available in the student's major school and the student has an assistantship.

Guidelines for Registration of Doctoral Dissertation Hours

• Beginning full-time doctoral students, especially those who are research assistants, are encouraged to register for at least 3 hours of 9000. This would allow, and encourage, such students to maintain a lighter academic load to begin laying the groundwork for Ph.D. research.
• Advanced full-time doctoral students who are working primarily on their dissertation research should register for 18 or more hours of 9000 in Fall and Spring semesters, and for up to 16 hours of 9000 for Summer semesters. If they are taking other coursework, the number of 9000 hours would be reduced by the number of formal coursework hours. Students who are required by their school to register for 8997 or 8998 would further reduce the number of 9000 hours, so that the total number of hours is at least 18 (no more than 16 in the Summer). The advisor and/or school determines whether the total is above 18 for Fall and Spring semesters.
• Part-time doctoral students engaged in their research phase for the Ph.D. should register for 9000 consistent with their and their faculty member's activity on the dissertation research.
• All full-time students coded as Master's students but involved in preparation for the Ph.D. are encouraged to register for 9000 consistent with the amount of work involved.

Academic units are encouraged to remove any in-school restrictions on registering for 9000. For example, some schools will not allow a graduate student to register for 9000 until after the student has become a candidate for the Ph.D. degree. The reasoning behind this restriction is not clear unless one takes a very restrictive interpretation of what registering for 9000 means. Academic units are encouraged to adopt a broader interpretation, so that dissertation hours reflect all stages of the doctoral dissertation--literature research, topic selection, experimental/theoretical preparation, research performance, writing, and presentation. All of these stages require Institute facilities and faculty involvement.

The responsibility for advising graduate students properly, not only in regard to programs of study, but also in regard to minimum and maximum semester course loads, rests solely within the chain from advisor/graduate coordinator to school chair to college dean. Although each graduate student is responsible for knowing the requirements for his or her degree and for insuring the appropriate, steady progress is being made toward that degree, each graduate student must have access to fair and equitable advisement. Responsibility for scheduling the proper requirements for a particular program of study and an appropriate course load per semester rests with the student and advisor alike.

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The Graduate College » Faculty/Staff » Graduate Handbook » Doctoral Degree Policies and Procedures » Credit Hour Requirements

Credit Hour Requirements

The doctoral degree will be granted for no less than the equivalent of three years of full-time graduate study. Individual program requirements vary, but eligibility for graduation typically requires a minimum of 90 graduate credits beyond the bachelor’s degree. Doctoral students with a prior master’s degree may petition their program to allow up to 30 transfer credits from the master’s degree towards their doctoral degree. Degree credits must include at least 7 hours in dissertation research. Some program credit requirements may be higher.

The last 30 credits must be completed under the direction of University of Cincinnati graduate faculty. The degree will not be granted solely on the basis of the accumulation of the required number of credits. A program will recommend students for degrees only after they have developed the necessary intellectual maturity and have fulfilled all other requirements of the program and the university.

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Full- and part-time enrollment.

Full-time enrollment for graduate students is defined as enrollment in 9 credit hours per semester in the fall and spring semesters and/or 4.5 hours in the summer session. Full-time enrollment for doctoral candidates (after successful completion of their comprehensive examinations) is 2 credit hours in the fall and spring semesters and/or 1 hour in the summer session. Guidelines may differ for international students based upon visa requirements. Without special permission of the Dean of the Graduate School, the maximum number of credit hours in which a graduate student may enroll is 16 credit hours per semester in the fall and spring and/or nine in the summer.

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WSE and KSAS Graduate Credit Hours

Updated March 2023

Both KSAS (effective Spring 2023) and WSE (Summer 2016) graduate courses utilize credit hours.

WSE implemented credit hours in the Summer 2016 term, and the KSAS implementation will be in Spring 2023. Starting in Spring 2023, you will see credits in SIS and on your transcripts for any KSAS/WSE graduate-level courses (600 and above).

2022-2023 FAQ

Does this affect any prior semesters is there anything i need to do about past semesters.

No, there’s no effect on prior semesters, and you don’t need to worry about retroactively adjusting any prior semesters. WSE graduate students are encouraged to read the below prior guidance regarding how to address any KSAS graduate courses they’ve taken with no credits assigned prior to Spring 2023.

What are the new requirements for me to remain a fulltime graduate student?

All KSAS and WSE Graduate Students must be enrolled in at least 9 credits to maintain fulltime status (in fall/spring semesters), but note that there are specific PhD credit requirements for WSE and KSAS graduate students beyond the 9 credits. Please see you section below for more information.

Special Notes for KSAS students:

KSAS does not have part-time Status in our PhD or full-time master’s degree programs (non-AAP).

KSAS PhD students typically enroll in a combination of classes and/or research for a total of 20 credits per semester. However, students who are in their initial years of a classwork- heavy program, may not yet be required to register for research. As coursework enrollments lessen for more senior PhDs, research credits should be increased (to a maximum of 20 total credits) to reflect the effort solely dedicated to research.

Study Abroad and Nonresident status are automatically assigned 9 credits.

Enrollment in more than 20 credits requires sign off from your department and Renee Eastwood, Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Affairs for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows.

Special Notes for WSE students:

Fulltime WSE PhD students should be enrolled in a combination of WSE classes and/or research for a total of at least 20 WSE credits per semester (fall/spring).

March 2023 Update

Effective with Fall 2023 registration, there is an enrollment limit  in SIS of 25 credits for each WSE PhD student, and an enrollment limit in SIS of 18 credits for each WSE master’s student. Any student needing to enroll in more than their enrollment limit should speak to their academic staff and/or academic advisor in their program. Individual academic programs may have lower enrollment requirements as appropriate and documented in their manuals and advising materials, etc.

Example:  A first year PhD is enrolled in 3 classes and seminar for a total of 16 credits. They should enroll in 4 credits of research as well for a total of 20 credits. As the coursework enrollments lessen for more senior PhDs, their research credits should be increased. Fulltime WSE Masters students are typically enrolled in a combination of classes and/or research for a total of 9-10 credits a semester (fall/spring).

What do I do if I need to switch to part-time status in WSE?

Part-time status approval on a case by case basis is possible but not guaranteed for WSE graduate students. Students will generally not be eligible to switch to part-time status if they are working primarily on the Homewood campus or working full-time on research for their degree. Part-time graduate students must still meet their  degree residency requirements  before they receive an advanced degree. Master’s students may be able to switch to part-time status in their final semester, after securing department/program and OIS approval (if international). Once permission has been granted by your department (both domestic and international students) and OIS (international), your department (not you!) will notify the registrar’s office of your status change. Please see the academic catalog for more information.

I am a full-time WSE PhD student. I know that I need to enroll in at least 20 credits each semester, but how do I do it?

You can register for a course with a range of available credits, such as ‘Dissertation Research’ or ‘Graduate Research’ (ask your department academic staff which courses would work for you in your specific program). You may elect to register for as many as 20 credits in these types of courses. If you register for 20 credits of research (which is typical for a fulltime, resident PhD student) and then later add a course with credits, it is ok for you to have more than 20 credits- you don’t have readjust your research credit hour unless you will be going over 25 credits. If that happens, you will need to adjust your research hours. Please see below for more information.

Notes for all KSAS and WSE Graduate Students

Why is it typical that full-time phd students enroll in 20 credits.

PhD students invest a lot of time in research, and KSAS/WSE divisions want to have a more tangible way capture the rigor and time spent being a PhD doing research- both for reporting purposes and for internal acknowledgement. 20 credits reflects a more accurate representation of the typical fulltime PhD workload.

Will I see a GPA?

At this time, neither KSAS or WSE will be calculating an official GPA or listing it on the transcript.

Does this mean that my degree requirements have changed?

No degree requirements have changed based on the use of credits.

Will this affect my international visa status?

Your immigration status will only be affected if you change from fulltime to part time and vice-versa, or if you change your status in other ways (leave of absence, program extension, etc).

Will this affect my student employment?

Your student employment eligibility will only be affected if you change from fulltime to part time and vice-versa, or if you change your status in other ways (leave of absence, etc.).

Do I need to enroll in the summer term?

Students receiving funding over the summer who are conducting research full time should enroll for at least 9 credits in the summer term to maintain their accurate student status in terms of certain payroll withholding (FICA) and to best reflect their summer activities and capture their progress working towards their degree. Each program has a specific summer graduate research course, please be sure to select your advisor’s section for proper assessment and grading. There is no tuition fee for PhD research in the summer term.

Will this affect my health insurance?

Both fulltime and part-time students are eligible for the Student Health Insurance Plan (Wellfleet), so as long as you remain an active and enrolled student, you will still be eligible for the insurance. That said, there are certain departmental/WSE subsidies towards the health insurance premium that are only for fulltime students. It is good to note that there may be changes to your health insurance eligibility if you change your status in other ways (leave of absence, etc.).

Will this affect my federal financial aid?

Your financial aid will only be affected if you change from fulltime to part time and vice-versa or if you change your status in other ways (leave of absence, etc.).

What should I do if I need to stay in a fulltime status (either for visa, fellowship purposes, etc.) but the courses in which I plan to register don’t total to 9 credits?

Please speak to your department academic staff and they will work with you to understand your options.

I am only in one research course this semester, but I am fulltime. How many credits should I register for with my research course?

If you are a PhD student, you should select 20 credits for your KSAS/ WSE research course. If you are a master’s student, you should select 9 credits for your WSE research course.

Do courses that have 0 credits still count towards my degree?

If you have prior approval from your faculty academic advisor to count a course with 0 credits towards your degree requirements, then yes- it will count towards your degree even though it won’t show up with any credits on the transcript.

Do courses that I audit count towards my credit count or my degree?

If you have prior approval from your faculty academic advisor to count an audited course towards your degree requirements, then yes-the course will count towards your degree, but it will not reflect any credits on the transcript. Audits are not considered in either your total credit hour count or the determination of your fulltime or part-time status, but note that tuition is still assessed for an audited class.

Will switching a course from grade to audit affect my fulltime status?

As audits are not considered in either your total credit hour count or the determination of your fulltime or part-time status: yes- it is possible that switching a graded course to audit may affect your fulltime status. If this could be an issue for you, please consult with your department academic staff/academic advising for guidance. Also note that you will still be charged tuition for an audited class.

Do courses that I take from other divisions still count towards my degree, even if they don’t have credits?

If you have prior approval from your faculty academic advisor/program director to count a course from another division/program towards your degree requirements, then yes- regardless of how many credits the course carries (or not), it will count towards your degree even though it may not show up with any credits on your transcript.

Do courses that I take at other JHU divisions count towards my total credits?

As long as the credits show up on your transcript and in SIS, credits from any other JHU division that has credits will count towards your total credits.

I am fulltime, but will be in an internship this semester. How do I maintain my fulltime status?

Check with your department to see if they have an internship course for your level (this could include the KSAS/ Engineering Research Practicum; etc.). You can then register in it for enough credits to be fulltime. Those students applying for CPT through the Office of Academic Affairs will automatically be advised on the proper registration and credits when the application has been approved. If your program doesn’t have an internship course, you can speak with your academic staff to determine the appropriate registration option for you. WSE Graduate Students, please visit the WSE Graduate Policy Page for more instructions on applying for CPT.

Will I be able to drop/withdraw classes if it will put me below 9 credits?

Not on your own-SIS will block you from dropping below 9 credits. There are three basic scenarios for add/drops/withdraws:

• Scenario 1:  If you are adding and dropping two courses of equivalent credits, always do the ADD first, then do the DROP. You can do this on your own in SIS online (if within the add/drop period).
• Scenario 2:  If you are dropping a course without adding another, (or the added course doesn’t carry the same or more credits than the course you are dropping) AND the result will be that you will drop below 9 credits, SIS will block you from completing the transaction on your own. You will then have to complete a Graduate Course Change Form, secure your department’s signature, and then submit to your divisional academic affairs office:   KSAS Office of Academic and Student Affairs (Renee Eastwood [email protected]) WSE Office of Graduate Education and Lifelong Learning(Christine Kavanagh or [email protected] ).
• Scenario 3 (for WSE only):  If you actually are dropping with the intent to change to part-time status, you won’t be able to complete the transaction in SIS on your own. Part-time status approval on a case by case basis is possible but not guaranteed for WSE graduate students. Students will generally not be eligible to switch to part-time status if they are working primarily on the Homewood campus or working full-time on research for their degree. Part-time graduate students must still meet their  degree residency requirements  before they receive an advanced degree. Master’s students may be able to switch to part-time status in their final semester, after securing department/program and OIS approval (if international). Once permission has been granted by your department (both domestic and international students) and OIS (international), your department (not you!) will notify the registrar’s office of your status change. Please see the academic catalog for more information.

If I drop below 9 credits, am I automatically switched to part-time status?

No, because SIS will not allow you to drop below 9 credits on your own. There are three basic scenarios for add/drops/withdraws:

• Scenario 1:  If you are adding and dropping two courses of equivalent credits, always do the ADD first, then do the DROP. You can do this on your own in ISIS online (if within the add/drop period).
• Scenario 2:  If you are dropping a course without adding another, (or the added course doesn’t carry the same or more credits than the course you are dropping) AND the result will be that you will drop below 9 credits, SIS will block you from completing the transaction on your own. You will then have to complete a Graduate Course Change Form, secure your department’s signature, and then submit to your divisional academic affairs office:   KSAS Office of Academic and Student Affairs (Renee Eastwood [email protected]) WSE Office of Graduate Education and Lifelong Learning (Christine Kavanagh or [email protected] ).
• Scenario 3 (WSE only):  If you actually are dropping with the intent to change to part-time status, you won’t be able to complete the transaction in SIS on your own. Part-time status approval on a case by case basis is possible but not guaranteed for WSE graduate students. Students will generally not be eligible to switch to part-time status if they are working primarily on the Homewood campus or working full-time on research for their degree. Part-time graduate students must still meet their  degree residency requirements  before they receive an advanced degree. Master’s students may be able to switch to part-time status in their final semester, after securing department/program and OIS approval (if international). Once permission has been granted by your department (both domestic and international students) and OIS (international), your department (not you!) will notify the registrar’s office of your status change. Please see the academic catalog for more information.

If I switch to part-time status (with prior approval from my department and OIS (if international)), how am I charged tuition?

KSAS does not offer part-time enrollment in full-time graduate programs (non AAP).

WSE: For students enrolled in a residential fulltime program who are approved for part-time status, each semester there is a minimum tuition for up to 3 credits; then courses are charged per credit after the minimum tuition is met in that semester. Please see the student accounts site for current tuition rates.

Who can help me if I have questions?

You have several resources: (1) your departmental academic staff, (2) your academic advisor or Director of Graduate Studies, (3) the KSAS Office of Academic Affairs or WSE Office of Graduate Education and Lifelong Learning

• KSAS- Renee Eastwood ( [email protected] )
• WSE- Christine Kavanagh ( [email protected] )

2016 FAQ archive

Where noted, this information below is superseded by the updated sections above, otherwise, the information below may be helpful as additional context to WSE graduate students.

Why have we changed to credits in the Whiting School?

Credits have been assigned to WSE grad courses in order to (a) increase the harmonization with the WSE Engineering for Professionals program (the extensive part-time graduate school portion of the Whiting School), (b) to help the Whiting School be more in alignment with our peer graduate institutions (credits are typical at most universities), and (c) to facilitate and streamline the process for industry partner employees to complete a degree in the WSE.

When does this change take effect?

Starting in the Summer 2016 term, you will start to see credits in SIS and on your transcripts for any WSE graduate-level courses (600 and above). The credit minimums for fulltime status will start in the Fall 2016 semester and will apply to all Fall and Spring semesters onwards.

What are the new requirements for me to remain fulltime if I am a WSE graduate student?

All WSE Graduate Students must be enrolled in at least 9 credits to maintain fulltime status (in fall/spring semesters). Fulltime WSE PhD students should be enrolled in a combination of WSE classes and/or research for a total of at least 20 WSE credits per semester (fall/spring). Example:  A first year PhD is enrolled in 3 classes and seminar for a total of 16 credits. They should enroll in 4 credits of research as well for a total of 20 credits. As the coursework enrollments lessen for more senior PhDs, their research credits should be increased. Fulltime WSE Masters students are typically enrolled in a combination of classes and/or research for a total of 9-10 credits a semester (fall/spring).

SUPERSEDED in SP23, SEE UPDATED GUIDANCE : I am a KSAS Graduate Student. Will this affect me?

For the most part, this change won’t affect KSAS graduate students. The only thing to note is that if you are a KSAS graduate student and take a class in the Whiting School, you will see credits for those courses show up on your transcripts.

SUPERSEDED in SP23, SEE ABOVE GUIDANCE: I am a WSE Grad. Do I need to register for 9 credits in the summer/intersessions?

No, there’s no effect on prior semesters, and you don’t need to worry about retroactively adjusting any prior semesters.

Why is it typical that fulltime WSE PhD students enroll in at least 20 credits?

PhD students invest a lot of time in research, and the Whiting School wants to have a more tangible and accurate way capture the rigor and time spent being a PhD doing research- both for reporting purposes and for internal acknowledgement. 20 credits reflects a more accurate representation of the typical fulltime PhD workload.

At this time, the WSE will not be calculating an official GPA.

Both fulltime and part-time students are eligible for the Student Health Insurance Plan (CHP (updated: Wellfleet)), so as long as you remain an active and enrolled student, you will still be eligible for the insurance. That said, there are certain departmental/WSE subsidies towards the health insurance premium that are only for fulltime students. It is good to note that there may be changes to your health insurance eligibility if you change your status in other ways (leave of absence, etc.).

How will this affect my transcript?

Beginning in Summer 2016 you will start to see credits show up on your transcript for any WSE graduate-level (600 and above) courses. This is not retroactive, so you will only see credits for those WSE graduate-level (600 and above) courses you take from the Summer 2016 onwards. KSAS students taking WSE graduate level courses will see the credits on their transcripts as well.

What should I do if I need to stay in a fulltime status (either for visa, fellowship purposes, etc.) but the courses in which I am registered don’t total to 9 credits?

If you are a PhD student, you should select 20 credits for your WSE research course. If you are a master’s student, you should select 10 credits for your WSE research course.

Check with your department to see if they have an internship course for your level (this could include Engineering Research Practicum; etc.). You can then register in it for enough credits to be fulltime. Those students applying for CPT through the Office of Academic Affairs will automatically be advised on the proper registration and credits when the application has been approved. If your program doesn’t have an internship course, you can speak with your academic staff to determine the appropriate registration option for you.

SUPERSEDED in SPRING 2023, See Above Guidance: Why don’t all the courses that I take in KSAS show credits?

Currently, only KSAS and WSE undergraduate and WSE graduate courses carry credits. You won’t see credits assigned to any KSAS graduate-level courses (600 level and up).

SUPERSEDED in SPRING 2023, See Above Guidance: I am a WSE graduate student. Do courses that I take in KSAS count towards my total credits?

KSAS undergraduate courses (500 and below) will count towards your total credits as they have official credits assigned to them in SIS. KSAS Graduate level courses (600 and above) will not count towards your total credits (on a transcript/record, etc.) but they are considered in ascertaining whether or not you are fulltime or part-time.

EXAMPLE 1: Student A is a master’s student in WSE, and is taking 2 WSE Grad level courses (for 3 credits each) and 1 KSAS grad level course (600) level. The total credits on the transcript= 6 Student A maintains their fulltime status, because the KSAS course is considered an additional qualifying course by Financial Aid, OIS, and the Registrar Student A doesn’t have to do anything additional to maintain their fulltime status.

EXAMPLE 2: Student B is a PhD student in WSE, and is taking Dissertation Research and 1 KSAS grad level course (600) level. Since WSE PhDs generally register for 20 credits per semester, and the KSAS course doesn’t show up on the transcript as ‘real credits’, Student B adjusts their credits for Dissertation Research accordingly and registers for 20 credits of Dissertation Research. The total credits on the transcript= 20 Student B doesn’t have to do anything additional to maintain their fulltime status.

What do I do if I am taking courses that should total 9 or more credits, but some of the courses don’t show credits (KSAS grad level courses)?

While KSAS Graduate level courses (600 and above) will not count towards your total credits (show up as credits in SIS or on a transcript/record, etc.) they are considered in ascertaining whether or not you are fulltime or part-time.

EXAMPLE 1: Student A is a master’s student in WSE, and is taking 2 WSE Grad level courses (for 3 credits each) and 1 KSAS grad level course (600) level. The total credits on the transcript= 6 Student A doesn’t have to do anything additional to maintain their fulltime status. Student A maintains their fulltime status, because the KSAS course is considered an additional qualifying course by Financial Aid, OIS, and the Registrar

EXAMPLE 2: Student B is a PhD student in WSE, and is taking Dissertation Research and 1 KSAS grad level course (600) level. Since WSE PhDs generally register for 20 credits per semester, and the KSAS course doesn’t show up on the transcript as ‘real credits’, Student B adjusts their credits for Dissertation Research accordingly and registers for 20 credits of Dissertation Research. The total credits on the transcript= 20 Student B doesn’t have to anything additional to maintain their fulltime status.

Do courses that I take in School of Medicine or School of Public Health count towards my total credits?

As long as the credits show up on your transcript and in ISIS, credits from any other JHU division that has credits will count towards your total credits. That said, typically WSE PhDs are registered in 20 credits that come solely from WSE courses and/or WSE research, and any courses taken in other divisions will simply be additional credits.

If you have prior approval from your faculty academic advisor to count a course from another division/program towards your degree requirements, then yes- regardless of how many credits the course carries (or not), it will count towards your degree even though it may not show up with any credits on your transcript.

SUPERSEDED in SP23, See Above Guidance: Will I be able to drop/withdraw classes if it will put me below 9 credits?

Not on your own-SIS will block you from dropping below 9 credits. There are three basic scenarios for add/drops/withdraws: Scenario 1: If you are adding and dropping two courses of equivalent credits, always do the ADD first, then do the DROP. You can do this on your own in SIS online (if within the add/drop period). Scenario 2: If you are dropping a course without adding another, (or the added course doesn’t carry the same or more credits than the course you are dropping) AND the result will be that you will drop below 9 credits, SIS will block you from completing the transaction on your own. You will then have to complete a Graduate Course Change Form, secure your department’s signature, and then submit to the WSE Office of Academic Affairs (Shaffer 103 or [email protected]). Scenario 3: If you actually are dropping with the intent to change to part-time status, you won’t be able to complete the transaction in SIS on your own. Consult with your departmental academic staff, and OIS as well if you are international. Once permission has been granted by your department (both domestic and international students) and OIS (international), your department (not you!) will notify the registrar’s office of your status change, and you will be able to complete a Graduate Course Change Form, secure your department’s signature, and then submit to the WSE Office of Academic Affairs (Shaffer 103 or [email protected] ).

What do I do if I need to switch to part-time status?

Consult with your departmental academic staff, and OIS as well if you are international. Once permission has been granted by your department (both domestic and international students) and OIS (international), your department (not you!) will notify the registrar’s office of your status change.

You can register for a course with a range of available credits, such as ‘Dissertation Research’ or ‘Graduate Research’ (ask your department academic staff which courses would work for you in your specific program). You may elect to register for as many as 20 credits in these types of courses. If you register for 20 credits of research and then later add a course with credits, it is ok for you to have more than 20 credits- you don’t have readjust your research credit hours.

No, because SIS will not allow you to drop below 9 credits on your own. There are three basic scenarios for add/drops/withdraws: Scenario 1: If you are adding and dropping two courses of equivalent credits, always do the ADD first, then do the DROP. You can do this on your own in ISIS online (if within the add/drop period). Scenario 2: If you are dropping a course without adding another, (or the added course doesn’t carry the same or more credits than the course you are dropping) AND the result will be that you will drop below 9 credits, SIS will block you from completing the transaction on your own. You will then have to complete a Graduate Course Change Form, secure your department’s signature, and then submit to the WSE Office of Academic Affairs (Shaffer 103 or [email protected]). Scenario 3: If you actually are dropping with the intent to change to part-time status, you won’t be able to complete the transaction in SIS on your own. Consult with your departmental academic staff, and OIS as well if you are international. Once permission has been granted by your department (both domestic and international students) and OIS (international), your department (not you!) will notify the registrar’s office of your status change, and you will be able to complete a Graduate Course Change Form, secure your department’s signature, and then submit to the WSE Office of Academic Affairs (Shaffer 103 or [email protected] ).

Do audits count toward my total credit hours?

No, audits are not considered in either your total credit hour count or the determination of your fulltime or part-time status, but note that you  will still be charged tuition for an audited class.

SUPERSEDED in SP23, SEE ABOVE GUIDANCE: If I switch to part-time status (with prior approval from my department and OIS (if international)), how am I charged tuition?

Part-time tuition for KSAS/WSE graduate-level courses will be charged on a per-credit basis. Note that even though KSAS graduate-level courses (600 and above) do not carry official credits (as on a transcript/record, etc.), they have a standardized conversion of ‘3 credit hours’ in the system (for all KSAS grad courses) for the purposes of billing.

You have several resources: (1) your departmental academic staff, (2) your academic advisor, (3) the WSE Office of Academic Affairs ([email protected]).

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Each credit hour corresponds to a minimum of 3 hours of student engagement per week for a traditional 14-week course or 6 hours per week for a 7-week course. This time may be spent on discussions, readings and lectures, study and research, and assignments.

Most courses at AIC are three credit hours.

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Full-time equivalency for phd students taking preliminary or qualifying exams.

If a graduate international student will not be enrolled full time during an academic term yet the academic department considers him/her to be full time, while the student prepares for or take preliminary or qualifying exams, the U-M International Center (IC) may authorize a Full Time Equivalency (FTE) for this student. This FTE allows the U-M International Center (IC) to report full-time enrollment to SEVIS to maintain the student's F1 status.

• Full Time Equivalency is for the purpose of maintaining immigration status only. You may not be considered an active student for other purposes, such as loans, for example.
• Rackham requires that all students register for at least one credit.

Who Can Qualify

An FTE may be granted in the following circumstances:

• A graduate student completing all formal course work during the current term. Upon completion of formal course work, the student will prepare for or take the preliminary exam or qualifying exam.
• A graduate student has already completed all formal course work but is currently preparing for preliminary exam or qualifying exam.

Requirements

A signed letter from the academic advisor or department is required. The letter must be on letterhead and must state the following information:

• That the student is considered to be full time by the department.
• What the student will be doing during the term of FTE authorization.
• The number of credits for which the student will register during the term of FTE authorization.

Please log in to the M-Passport portal , click on Requests > Full-time Equivalency , and follow the instructions from there.

The FTE must be received by the U-M International Center (IC) by the end of the  drop/add period of EACH TERM . A student who drops below a full course of study without prior approval of a Designated School Official (DSO) is considered out of status.

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What’s the difference between part-time and full-time college students.

Senior Associate, JPMorgan Chase

If college is on your radar, you may be deciding if you want to be a part-time or a full-time student.

If you have responsibilities outside of school, such as a job or family obligations, you may be considering enrolling as a part-time student. On the flip side, if you feel that you can afford the time and monetary commitment that comes with full-time enrollment, then this may be the option that you’re leaning towards.

In this article, we’ll break down the differences between full-time and part-time student statuses, including the number of credits students can expect to take in these two statuses and how long it may take to graduate if you're a part-time or full-time student.

Also, of note, you don’t necessarily have to think of this decision as a permanent one. Some schools and programs allow students to change their enrollment status between full-time and part-time for a semester or trimester, depending on their needs. Another thing to remember as you make this choice is not all schools and programs offer the opportunity for students to enroll part-time.

What’s considered full-time college enrollment?

There are three definitions to be aware of when understanding what it means to be a full-time student – your school’s definition, the U.S. Department of Education’s definition, and the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) definition.

First, colleges and universities each have their own definitions for what’s considered full-time. To be considered full-time by a college, most colleges require students to be enrolled in a certain number of classes and credits for a semester, although the requirements may vary.

The U.S. Department of Education defines full-time student status as being enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per term. This definition is important to understand because it may relate to your eligibility for financial aid provided by the federal government.

There’s also a legal tax status in order to be considered a “full-time student” by the IRS. Having this status may enable you to take certain exemptions on your taxes. To be a full-time student as defined by the IRS, you must:

• Be a full-time student as defined by your school.
• Be a student for five calendar months of the year (these months don’t need to be consecutive).
• Be a full-time student at a school that has a regular teaching staff, course of study, and a regularly enrolled student body. A student taking a full-time, on-farm training course offered by a school, state, county, or local government agency may also qualify.

How many classes do full-time students take a semester?

There’s no set number of classes that are considered full-time across the board. However, for many schools, full-time enrollment often involves taking between three and four classes a semester, depending on how many credits each class is worth. The same is true to meet the U.S. Department of Education’s definition of being a full-time student.

Remember that all schools are not on a semester schedule, so the guidelines may differ.

How many credits do full-time students take a semester?

To meet the U.S. Department of Education’s definition of being a full-time student, students must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester. Individual schools may have different credit requirements for students to be considered full-time. As a refresher, credit hours are a measure that determines the weight of a particular class. Since all schools aren’t on a semester schedule, this may vary.

How much does college cost for a full-time student?

According to data from College Board, a nonprofit organization that helps students with college admissions, the average cost for a full-time student was $10,940 for those attending in-state public colleges and $28,240 for those attending out-of-state public colleges in the 2022-23 school year. For students who attended private schools, tuition was on average $39,400.

Remember, these numbers are averages, which means tuition varies depending on the exact school. The other thing to keep in mind is that these numbers reflect the sticker price of tuition at schools – many students ultimately pay less because of financial aid.

How long does it take to graduate from college as a full-time student?

It takes most full-time students four years to graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree. For students seeking an associate degree, it most often takes them two years to graduate.

Keep in mind, these timelines can vary. It takes some students less time to graduate with a college degree if they’re able to enter a degree program with college credits in hand, if they’re able to load up on credits during some terms, or if they take classes in summer or winter sessions (or some combination of this). On the flip side, it can take some students longer than the traditional two or four years to graduate with a college degree in some instances.

What’s considered part-time college enrollment?

A part-time student enrolls in fewer classes than a full-time student. They may have a day job or other responsibilities that they juggle in addition to classes. As a result, they may pay less in tuition per term (since they’re taking fewer classes), but it may take them more terms to graduate. They also may have less access to financial aid, including scholarships and grants.

How many classes do part-time students take a semester?

Most schools consider a student taking less than three or four classes a semester (depending on the credit hours of the class) a part-time student. This may vary depending on if a school is on a quarter or trimester schedule.

How many credits do part-time students take a semester?

A part-time student usually takes fewer than 12 credits a semester, though that may differ based on a school’s definition of what a part-time student is. Again, this may vary if a school is on a quarter or trimester schedule.

How much does college cost as a part-time student?

How much a school costs as a part-time student will depend on the school. Typically, as a full-time student, you pay by the term (quarter, trimester, or semester), but as a part-time student, you often pay by the credit hour or how many classes you enroll in for a term.

It’s important to note that even if being a part-time student is cheaper in the short term, in the long run, it may ultimately cost more to graduate as a part-time student than as a full-time student. This is because students who are enrolled part-time are often charged by the number of credit hours they’re enrolled in and also may encounter additional fees, while full-time students may be charged a flat rate for a term, enabling them to take anywhere from 12 to 18 credits a term. Full-time students who enroll in enough credits a term may ultimately see cost-savings.

You may want to speak to an academic advisor to fully determine the costs of part-time and full-time enrollment to make the best choice for your situation.

How long does it take to graduate college as a part-time student?

A 2023 study by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, a nonprofit, found that 20% of students from the class of 2017 who were enrolled exclusively part-time graduated in six years . The same study found that 51.1% of students with mixed enrollment (a combination of part-time and full-time) graduated within six years.

How long it takes you to graduate as a part-time student will heavily depend on how many credits you ultimately end up taking each term, and your consistency in enrolling in classes each term.

Does the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ® ) cover part-time students?

The FAFSA ® is used by students to access federal student aid including federal student loans, grants, and work-study, if they’re eligible. Part-time students may be eligible for federal financial aid if they’re enrolled in at least a half-time class load (usually around six credits per semester).

If you’re enrolled half-time as a part-time student, you apply for federal financial aid in the same way a full-time student would via the FAFSA ® .

Part-time students who are eligible for federal financial aid may receive less aid than full-time students, including a reduced Pell Grant award , because of their enrollment status.

How to decide whether to enroll as a part-time or full-time student

By looking at your immediate financial circumstances as well as the time commitment you can make to school, you may be able to get a gauge of whether you should attend college part-time or full-time.

When it comes to enrolling full-time, on the pro side, full-time students may be able to immerse themselves fully in their academic pursuits, allowing for deeper engagement with their studies and the college experience. Being enrolled full-time often leads students to graduate quicker and enables graduates to enter the workforce or pursue more advanced studies sooner. Additionally, full-time status may qualify students for more scholarships and financial aid opportunities, which may reduce the cost of obtaining a degree.

When it comes to attending college part-time, one significant advantage is the flexibility it offers, allowing students to balance their education with work, family responsibilities, and other commitments. This can make attending college more accessible, especially for those who need to maintain a job or care for family members. Part-time enrollment can provide an opportunity to gain practical work experience while in school, too.

Final thoughts

At the end of the day, your status as a part-time or full-time student may change throughout your college career. Sometimes, life happens, and you may want to change from being a full-time to a part-time student, for instance. Even if you find yourself in this situation, know that if you stay the course, you’ll still graduate with a diploma; it may just take a bit longer.

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Tour of famous Moscow Metro. Explore the Underground World! (2 hours)

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On this tour you take in some of Moscow's most important and highly decorated stations. Carrying up to 7 million passengers a day and covering almost the entire city, the Moscow Metro is one of the most extensive mass transit systems in the world. It's famous for the fine examples of social-realism which decorate many of its stations.

Visit some of the most important stations and get the chance to admire spectacular baroque-style ceilings, marble statues, busts of Communist heroes, stained glass windows, and ceiling mosaics depicting the bright Soviet future. Visit the most remarkable stations like Komsomolskaya, Kurskaya, Kievskaya and others, with the experienced guide who will bring you a full insight into their fascinating history.

• Tour of Moscow's Metro system visiting beautifully decorated key stations on the network.
• System that carries more than 7 million passengers per day
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• Significance to the country—known as the “People's Palace”
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If you wonder why the Moscow metro is considered one the most beautiful in the world, this tour is made for you!

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Departure and return point: nearest metro station to your central Moscow hotel  

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Time in Elektrostal , Moscow Oblast, Russia now

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Time zone info for Elektrostal

• The time in Elektrostal is 8 hours ahead of the time in New York when New York is on standard time, and 7 hours ahead of the time in New York when New York is on daylight saving time.
• Elektrostal does not change between summer time and winter time.
• The IANA time zone identifier for Elektrostal is Europe/Moscow.

Time difference from Elektrostal

Sunrise, sunset, day length and solar time for elektrostal.

• Sunrise: 05:35AM
• Sunset: 07:20PM
• Day length: 13h 45m
• Solar noon: 12:28PM
• The current local time in Elektrostal is 28 minutes ahead of apparent solar time.

Elektrostal on the map

• Location: Moscow Oblast, Russia
• Latitude: 55.79. Longitude: 38.46
• Population: 144,000

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• #2 Ermitazh - European and japanese food
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Some Colleges Will Soon Charge $100,000 a Year. How Did This Happen?

Some Vanderbilt students will have $100,000 in total expenses for the 2024-25 school year. The school doesn’t really want to talk about it.

By Ron Lieber

Reporting from Vanderbilt University in Nashville

It was only a matter of time before a college would have the nerve to quote its cost of attendance at nearly $100,000 a year. This spring, we’re catching our first glimpse of it.

One letter to a newly admitted Vanderbilt University engineering student showed an all-in price — room, board, personal expenses, a high-octane laptop — of $98,426. A student making three trips home to Los Angeles or London from the Nashville campus during the year could hit six figures.

This eye-popping sum is an anomaly. Only a tiny fraction of college-going students will pay anything close to this anytime soon, and about 35 percent of Vanderbilt students — those who get neither need-based nor merit aid — pay the full list price.

But a few dozen other colleges and universities that reject the vast majority of applicants will probably arrive at this threshold within a few years. Their willingness to cross it raises two questions for anyone shopping for college: How did this happen, and can it possibly be worth it?

Who Pays What

According to the College Board, the average 2023-24 list price for tuition, fees, housing and food was $56,190 at private, nonprofit four-year schools. At four-year public colleges, in-state students saw an average $24,030 sticker price.

That’s not what many people pay, though, not even close. As of the 2019-20 school year, according to federal data that the College Board used in a 2023 report , 39 percent of in-state students attending two-year colleges full time received enough grant aid to cover all of their tuition and fees (though not their living expenses, which can make getting through school enormously difficult). At four-year public schools, 31 percent paid nothing for tuition and fees while 18 percent of students at private colleges and universities qualified for the same deal.

Those private colleges continue to provide hefty discounts for people of all sorts of incomes. A National Association of College and University Business Officers study showed private nonprofit colleges and universities lowering their tuition prices by 56 percent from the rack rate during the 2022-23 school year.

Vanderbilt provides discounts, too, and its financial aid is extraordinarily generous. This year, it announced that families with income of $150,000 or less would pay no tuition in most instances .

Still, over 2,000 students there who get no need-based or merit aid will soon pay $100,000 or more. Why does Vanderbilt need all of that money?

Where the Money Goes

At a few small liberal arts colleges with enormous endowments, even $100,000 would not cover the average cost of educating a student, according to the schools. Williams College says it spends roughly $50,000 more per student than its list price, for instance.

In other words, everyone is getting a subsidy. Perhaps its list price should be over $100,000, too, so that its endowment is not offering unneeded help to wealthy families. Or, perhaps, a price that high would scare away low-income applicants who do not realize that they might get a free ride there.

According to Vanderbilt, its spending per undergraduate is $119,000. “The gap between the price and cost of attendance is funded by our endowment and the generous philanthropy of donors and alumni,” Brett Sweet, vice chancellor for finance, said in an emailed statement.

No one at the school would meet with me to break this figure down or get on the phone to talk about it. But Vanderbilt’s financial statements offer clues to how it spends money. In the 2023 fiscal year, 52 percent of its operating expenses went to faculty, staff and student salaries and wages, plus fringe benefits.

Robert B. Archibald and David H. Feldman, two academics who wrote “ Why Does College Cost So Much? ,” explained in their book why labor costs were so tricky at these institutions.

“The critical factors are that higher education is a personal service, that it has not experienced much labor-saving productivity growth, and that the wages of the highly educated workers so important at colleges and universities have soared,” they said. “These are economywide factors. They have little to do with any pathology in higher education.”

Critics of the industry still believe that a kind of administrative bloat has set in, driving up tuition with outsize salaries. But what is bloat, really?

Administrators oversee compliance, like the laws that have made it possible for disabled people to get to and through college and keep schools from discriminating against women. If we don’t like regulation, we can vote for different legislators.

Similarly, families in a free market can make alternative choices if they want fewer mental health practitioners and their bosses, computer network administrators, academic advisers or career counselors. And yet the first (prescreened) question that Vanderbilt’s chancellor, Daniel Diermeier, answered on family weekend this past fall was about whether Vanderbilt should invest even more in career advising in the wake of the school’s five-spot decline in the annual U.S. News rankings .

Is It Worth It?

If many families are not exactly lining up for a cut-rate residential undergraduate education, they’re still asking plenty of good questions about value. So is a $400,000 college education ever worth it?

It depends, and you knew that answer was coming, right?

Most college shoppers wonder about income outcomes, and it’s possible to search by undergraduate major on the federal government’s College Scorecard website . This program-level data exists for alumni who are four years out from graduation, though only for those who received any federal financial aid.

Vanderbilt’s biomedical/medical engineering majors have median earnings of $94,340 four years out. English language and literature majors are earning $53,767.

Those are fine results, but are they exclusive to Vanderbilt? “You could get an engineering degree at a state flagship university that’s just as valuable as something you’d get at Vanderbilt,” said Julian Treves , a financial adviser and college specialist whose newsletter tipped me off to the goings-on there.

I spent a few days trying to get Vanderbilt’s vice provost for university enrollment affairs, Douglas L. Christiansen , to talk to me and answer these questions squarely and more expansively, but I did not succeed. A university spokeswoman sent me some generalities in his name. “We are committed to excellence at all levels, from the quality of our faculty, programming, facilities and research labs to the services we provide to support the academic, emotional and social well-being of our students,” went the statement.

In anticipation of the absence of a substantive reply, I attended a group information session for 125 or so prospective students and asked there, too. The senior admissions officer who took the question refused to answer. I’d never seen that before, and I’ve been to these sessions at dozens of schools over the years.

But really, why should an actor in a competitive marketplace answer that question if the person doesn’t absolutely have to? Without publicly available, industrywide quantitative data on quality — happiness scores, customer satisfaction, measures of learning, return on friendship, the strength of career networks — the list price alone serves as a signal of excellence, to some shoppers at least.

And thousands of applicants respond to the signal each year by volunteering to pay the list price, even as the school rejects the vast majority of applicants. Or maybe they volunteer precisely because Vanderbilt and schools like it reject the vast majority of applicants.

So a $100,000 list price is not our highest-priority outrage. The spectacle of wealthy people freely purchasing luxury services is nothing new, even if it is a totally worthy object of scrutiny (and an understudied phenomenon by academics themselves, ahem).

What is a problem, then? Brent Joseph Evans , an associate professor of public policy and higher education at Vanderbilt’s college of education and human development, started his career as an admissions officer at the University of Virginia. There, he sold the institution to boarding school students in New England and teenagers in the Appalachian foothills.

The former group might pay $100,000 per year, though many of them won’t get into the Vanderbilts of the world in the first place. They will surely find their way somewhere.

But that latter group? Professor Evans is worried about their access to any school at all.

“We should care about whether they get into a state university system at a low cost and find a well-paying career that can keep them in the middle class,” he said. “I do think that sometimes any tension over what elite colleges are doing moves us away from what we should be caring about as a society.”

An earlier version of this article misstated the surname of Vanderbilt’s vice provost for university enrollment affairs. He is Douglas L. Christiansen, not Christensen.

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Ron Lieber has been the Your Money columnist since 2008 and has written five books, most recently “The Price You Pay for College.” More about Ron Lieber