Course Load: Undergraduate Programs

Please note that the time it takes to earn a degree is directly impacted by the rate at which a student earns academic credit (i.e., how many units a student enrolls in per term). In order for a full-time undergraduate student to earn a degree in four years, the student must take more than the minimum 12 units per Fall and Spring semester; an average course load of 15.5 units per Fall and Spring semester (or additional Summer course work) would be required to complete the undergraduate degree in four years. Further details regarding ensuring a four-year path to degree completion can be found in the Four-Year Guarantee section of this catalog.

It is strongly recommended that students who have not yet met the Expository Writing requirement limit their course loads to 12-15 units per semester until this requirement has been completed.

A student may enroll in 18 units with the advisor’s approval if they have carried 15 or more units during the previous semester and received at least a 3.00 GPA during that semester. A student wishing to enroll in 19 units or more must also have the approval of the Academic Petition Committee. For information regarding the additional tuition for enrolling in more than 17 units in a semester, please see the current Tuition and Fees information on the Business Services Office website.

Special Policy for Majors with a Significant Skills-based Component (e.g., Dance)

Students are permitted to take up to 19 units per semester without incurring additional tuition or seeking additional approval if they meet all of the following conditions:

They are enrolled in a major which includes at least 14 skill-based units, which have little or no outside of course academic expectations. Such majors are determined by the Dean of the school and approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
They are enrolled in a second major or a minor requiring an additional 15 or more units which cannot overlap with the first major requirements.
They have completed 15 or more units during the previous semester with a minimum term GPA of 3.00.
They have the approval of their academic advisor.
They have signed and completed the “Overload Statement” contract.
They are enrolled in a course that meets a second major or minor requirement each term for which they are enrolled in more than 17 units.

Special Policy for Students in the Honors Program

Students in the Honors Program may register for a total of 6 units of overload without an additional fee while they are enrolled at Dominican; this means that they may register for over 17 semester units in one semester, up to a maximum of 20 units. It is strongly recommended that first year students not enroll in overload units.

To be eligible for these units, Honors students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5. Juniors and Seniors in the Honors Program may take graduate-level courses, with instructor permission.