Ramapo College has established credit load limits for undergraduate students.  Credit load limits for graduate students are defined by the individual graduate program.

Reason for Policy

To delineate credit load limits for students.

To Whom Does The Policy Apply

All Ramapo College students and graduate program directors.

Related Documents

Procedure

Policy and Procedure 300-S: Minimum Graduate Requirements

Contacts

Office of the Provost: 201-684-7532

Undergraduate Credit Load

Fall and Spring — Matriculated Undergraduate Students

A matriculated student who wishes to register for more than 18 credits per semester (at additional cost) must request that the Office of the Registrar raise their credit limit. If the student has under a 3.0 cumulative GPA, that student must obtain approval to raise the credit limit from their academic advisor prior to making the request to the Office of the Registrar.  If the student is attempting to register for more than 20 credits, they must obtain approval from their school Dean.  Undergraduate students on academic probation should discuss their credit loads with their academic advisor prior to registration. 

Fall and Spring – Non-Degree Seeking Students

Non-degree seeking students are limited to a maximum of 11 credits per semester for a total of 30 cumulative credits, at which point they may not continue unless they matriculate prior to registration. 

Summer

Students may register for a maximum of two 8 credits per session for a maximum of 16 credits for the entire Summer Session. Permission to enroll for more than the maximum noted above may be approved by the assigned advisor or the dean of the school in which the student is majoring.

Winter

Students (matriculated and non-degree seeking) may register for a maximum of one 4 credits per session. Permission to enroll for more than the maximum noted above may be approved by the assigned advisor or the dean. 

Visiting Non-Degree Seeking Students:

Non-degree seeking students who are visiting from other accredited colleges may enroll for more than 11 credits per semester if they present a Visiting Student form, completed by the home institution, which verifies good academic standing, advisor approval of courses, and the home institution’s raised seal. 

Post-Baccalaureate Non-Degree Seeking Students:

Non-degree seeking students who already possess a bachelor’s degree may enroll for more than 11 credits per semester.

Graduate Student Credit Load

Each graduate program director will recommend to the dean of the school that houses the program the maximum number of credits per semester or cohort term.  The dean will communicate that decision to the Registrar.

1. Permission to exceed the credit load limit must be secured from the Graduate Program Director, who will communicate the information to the Registrar.
2. Graduate students on academic probation should discuss their credit loads with their Graduate Program Directors prior to registration.
3. Graduate students with student loans should discuss their credit loads with the Office of Financial Aid prior to registering.
4. Non-degree students may only take up to eight credits of graduate level courses.
5. Current Ramapo undergraduates not enrolled in a graduate program can take up to eight credits of graduate level courses.  To take additional courses, students must obtain the approval of the Graduate Program Director associated with that course.

Exceptions to any of the above policy items require approval from the Dean.