phd credits per semester

This section details the general School-wide degree requirements that apply to all NYU Tandon School of Engineering graduate degrees. Academic departments may place additional requirements on individual degrees. Such additional requirements are explained in the programs section of this catalog. In no case may a department specify requirements less stringent than those indicated here.

Outcomes Assessment

NYU Tandon School of Engineering conducts outcomes assessment activities to monitor student academic achievement, effective teaching methods and continuous improvement of the School, as well as to comply with accreditation standards. To obtain periodic measurements of student perceptions and intellectual growth, graduate students are strongly encouraged to participate in surveys, focus groups, interviews or related activities. While individual input is collected, data resulting from these assessments is published only in aggregate form.

Definition of Credits

Graduate studies are expressed in terms of credits. One 50-minute period of graduate class work for a 15-week, single semester carries 1 graduate credit. A standard graduate course meeting for two-and-a-half hours per week in a single semester of 15 weeks is equivalent to 3 credits. This format is the most common for graduate courses. Graduate laboratories meet three times per graduate credit (i.e., two-and-a-half-hours per week in a single semester of 15 weeks is equivalent to 1 credit). Courses meeting more or less than two-and-a-half hours each week are assigned credits in the correct proportion. The final examination period is an integral part of the 15-week semester.

Graduate Degrees and Advanced Certificates

Graduate advanced certificate programs.

NYU Tandon School of Engineering offers several graduate advanced certificate programs in specialized subject areas for students who do not wish to enroll in a full-degree program. Detailed descriptions of the certificate programs are available from the responsible departments.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for certificate programs are the same as those for related MS programs. Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, and GREs are required from those applying for full-time study. Applicants must be admitted formally to a certificate program before beginning graduate course work.

Graduation Requirements

Depending on the program, 12 to 15 credits must be taken at NYU School of Engineering to earn a certificate, and no transfer credits for certificates are permitted. Courses taken for a certificate may be applied toward the future pursuit of an MS, ME, or PhD graduate degree, but not to another certificate program. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all graduate courses taken at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering to receive a certificate.

Students in such a program who subsequently decide to pursue a graduate degree must file a separate application for admission to the respective graduate program. 

Master of Science

Admission to Master of Science programs requires a bachelor’s degree and at least four years of college-level courses in a preparatory discipline from an institution acceptable to the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better is required for admission. GRE scores are recommended for all applicants, and are required for anyone applying for full-time study or seeking merit-based scholarships. Applicants seeking admission to the MS in Integrated Digital Media are exempt from the GRE requirement, and those seeking admission to technology management-related degrees are encouraged to submit GMAT scores instead of the GRE. Letters of Recommendation, a Statement of Purpose, and a professional resume are also required from all applicants seeking admission to any graduate program.

Candidates for the degree of Master of Science must complete no fewer than 30 credits of graduate courses and research beyond the bachelor’s degree in the program selected. Academic departments may require additional credits for individual degrees. Individual programs may specify required courses, minimum GPAs in specific courses or course groups, or require a comprehensive examination, presentation of a seminar, or completion of a project or thesis. Specific course requirements for each MS program are detailed in the programs section of this catalog. To obtain the MS degree, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (equivalent to a B letter grade) or better in all graduate work undertaken at the NYU School of Engineering and any other school of NYU, including courses not used to fulfill specific program requirements. The average of B or better includes all guided studies, readings, projects, theses and dissertations. Students may use no more than a total of 3 credits of internship towards fulfillment of MS degree requirements. Students may offer no more than a combined total of 9 credits of project, guided studies, readings, or thesis toward fulfillment of the MS degree requirements. Students taking project or thesis must register for at least 3 credits of project or thesis every semester until the work is completed and a grade recorded (also refer to the section Maintenance of Studies ).

MS students may elect to complete an MS project or MS thesis and may be required to do so in certain programs. Consult the programs section in this catalog for details. A project usually entails 3 to 6 credits, while an MS thesis is generally a more extended piece of research, usually entailing 6 to 9 credits.  At this level, research should exhibit a thorough understanding of advanced scientific thought and an ability to apply advanced principles constructively to engineering planning and design.

Manuscript Presentation 

Degree candidates must present their research to the appointed guidance committee in final manuscript form for official acceptance no later than two weeks before the end of the semester. The accepted format for the bound research document is detailed in the “Regulations on Format, Duplication and Publication of Project Reports, Theses and Dissertations.” Detailed information is available on the NYU Tandon School of Engineering website.

Graduate students registered for MS thesis credits must submit four final bound copies to their department for necessary signatures, and then present them to the Office of Graduate Academics one week before the end of the semester.

Master of Engineering

All regulations and requirements for the Master of Engineering degree, including those governing admissions, graduation, and residency, are identical to those for the Master of Science degree.

Candidates for the degree Master of Engineering must complete no fewer than 30 credits of graduate courses (including a maximum of 9 credits of research) beyond the bachelor’s degree in the program. The Master of Engineering is for students seeking in-depth knowledge in fields requiring courses from multiple disciplines, especially those taught by several different academic departments. Students create their study program, including at least one graduate certificate, with the approval of a graduate adviser. A capstone experience is required for graduation.

Doctor of Philosophy

Students may apply to a doctoral program either directly after a bachelor’s degree or after completing a master’s degree. In either case, a GPA of 3.0 or better is required in all previous degree programs and a GPA of 3.5 or better is typically expected. GRE scores are required for all full-time PhD applicants. The admissions process for the doctoral program follows the same path as that of the Master of Science and Master of Engineering applications. Highly qualified candidates whose interests are incompatible with the faculty’s research interests may not be admitted. Additionally, most departments admit only the number of students that they can financially support, and qualified candidates may not be admitted due to limited availability of funding.

Graduation Requirements

All doctoral candidates must complete a minimum of 75 credits of graduate work beyond the bachelor’s degree, including a minimum of 21 credits of dissertation research (or more, depending on major). Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy are qualitative and quantitative. Students will find that the formal requirements of residence, course credits, and dissertation provide a framework within which they are free to construct individual programs for creative learning at an advanced level. Students must satisfy the detailed requirements of the selected degree program.

Each PhD student must complete a PhD dissertation. Research at this level must demonstrate critical and constructive thought, as well as the ability to use the techniques necessary to explore and develop new knowledge in mathematics, science, or engineering. A successful dissertation must demonstrably advance the subject area of research. School requirements for dissertations set a minimum of 21 credits of registration. All research should be characterized by accuracy of observation and measurement, and by clarity and completeness in presentation. The conclusions presented must be supported by adequate studies and investigations, and supplemented by a complete bibliography.

Graduate students in a PhD program should confer with an adviser in the department of major interest regarding: 1) selection of courses; 2) major and minor fields of study; 3) formulation of a guidance committee; 4) qualifying and language examinations; 5) degree candidacy.

Students in a PhD program must take and pass doctoral qualifying examination(s) administered by their major department. These examinations are generally scheduled once or twice yearly, and students should consult their academic department for further information. Students are highly encouraged to take the examination(s) in their first year of the program, and they may not register for dissertation research until they have passed the examination(s).  If students have not passed by the end of their second year, they may be disqualified from the PhD program. Within six months of passing the examination(s), students and their dissertation adviser must form a dissertation-guidance committee that will oversee course selection, provide research guidance, and ensure that satisfactory progress is being made toward completion of the dissertation in a timely manner. Course selection must ensure that requirements of major and minors set forth by the respective programs are met. The committee, at its discretion or bound by departmental regulations, may require students to present a dissertation research proposal. The committee is expected to meet at least once per semester to assess student progress, and doctoral students must defend their dissertation in front of this committee.  Doctoral students must obtain a checklist of the milestones and requirements for the PhD program from the Office of Graduate Academics.

All doctoral students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better at all times and a B or better for the dissertation, and some departments have further specific course or grade requirements that must be fulfilled. Once students begin their dissertation research, they must register for at least 3 credits of dissertation every semester until the dissertation is completed and successfully defended (also refer to the section on Maintenance of Studies ).

Manuscript Presentation

Graduate students registered for PhD dissertation credits must submit four final bound copies to their department for necessary signatures and then present them to the Office of Graduate Academics one week before the end of the semester.

Publication

Doctoral dissertations are published by UMI Dissertation Publishing (ProQuest). The cost of this service is charged to the student. Publishing with UMI ensures that the dissertation thesis gains the widest possible audience. Any interested person can purchase copies of a dissertation through the company’s website.

The faculty regards publication of the major content of a doctoral dissertation in a recognized scientific journal as a necessary final step if the work performed is to achieve maximum usefulness. The publication must indicate, by footnote or otherwise, its basis as a New York University School of Engineering dissertation.

Graduate Credits and Requirements

To satisfy residency requirements for a graduate degree at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, students must complete the following minimum number of credits at the School:

• Graduate Certificate: All credits (12-15, depending on certificate)
• Master of Science: Total number of credits required, less 9 (at least 21 credits of residency)
• Master of Engineering: Total number of credits required, less 9 (at least 21 credits of residency)
• Doctor of Philosophy: 27 credits (including all dissertation credits)

Transfer Credits

Applications for transfer credits must be submitted for consideration before the end of the first semester of matriculation. Courses with grades below B are not eligible for transfer. Transfer credits for courses taken after matriculation at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering are rarely accepted and must be approved by the student’s academic department and by the Office of Graduate Academics before the course is taken. Grades for transferred credits or courses are not recorded and are not included in GPA calculations.

Certificates

No transfer credit is permitted for graduate certificates.

Master of Science and Master of Engineering

A maximum of 9 credits may be accepted as transfer credits towards an MS or ME degree. Transfer credits must be approved by the student’s department, the Associate Dean for Graduate Academics, and the Office of the Registrar. Courses that have been counted towards an awarded undergraduate or graduate degree, whether taken at NYU or another institution, may not be transferred toward a master’s degree at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. Credits submitted for consideration must be: 1) from accredited institutions; 2) consistent with NYU Tandon School of Engineering’s residency requirements; 3) completed with grades B or better; 4) consistent with the curriculum in which the student is registered; 5) taken after receipt of a bachelor’s degree, with the exception of NYU Tandon School of Engineering’s undergraduate students (See section: Transfer Policy Exceptions: NYU Tandon Undergraduate Students). Theses, projects and guided studies or readings courses cannot be transferred.

Doctoral students may transfer a blanket 30-credits from a prior MS degree. For the blanket 30-credit transfer, the prior MS need not be a 30-credit MS, so long as an MS degree (or equivalent) was granted, and a copy of the degree and detailed transcripts are presented. Additional courses taken after receipt of a bachelor’s degree, but not counted towards an awarded degree may be eligible for transfer, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Additional courses individually transferred cannot include project, thesis, dissertation, guided studies or readings, or special topics credits. The total number of transferred credits for the PhD degree may not exceed 48. Some programs have additional restrictions; students should also consult the program specific portion of the bulletin for further information.

Transfer Policy Exceptions

Nyu tandon school of engineering undergraduate students.

While transfer policies normally preclude the transfer of graduate credit taken prior to the receipt of a bachelor’s degree, an exception is made for NYU students who take graduate courses while pursuing an undergraduate degree at any school of NYU. Such graduate courses may be applied subsequently to a graduate degree at NYU Tandon provided that students earned a B grade or better, that the individual courses were not used to fulfill requirements for the undergraduate degree, and that the courses are acceptable based on the particular graduate degree curriculum requirement.

The sum of transfer credits from other institutions and internal transfer credits from other NYU schools (including graduate courses taken while matriculated as NYU undergraduates) cannot exceed the total number of transfer credits permitted for Advanced Certificates, MS and PhD degrees as specified above in the section on “Transfer Credits.”

These exceptions to the Transfer Policy are effective for any student admitted for the Spring 2017 semester forward.

NYU Tandon School of Engineering BS/MS Students

NYU Tandon School of Engineering students enrolled in a joint BS/MS program with a study plan pre-approved by an academic adviser may take graduate level courses prior to receiving their bachelor’s degree, and may apply these courses towards the requirements of their MS program without credit restriction. Graduate courses used to satisfy undergraduate degree requirements, however, cannot be used to satisfy graduate degree requirements. BS/MS students must maintain a minimum 3.0 CGPA in all graduate level courses, or they risk being disqualified from the BS/MS program.

Period of Validity

Graduate courses reflect the current state of the art in their respective fields. Thus, all courses that are more than 10 years old at the beginning of graduate study at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, whether taken previously at the School or at another institution, are ineligible for transfer and will not count towards the satisfaction of degree requirements. The blanket 30-credit transfer of an MS degree taken at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering or elsewhere towards a PhD program is exempt from this period of validity and does not expire.

Graduate Validation Credits

When it is unclear whether a course taken outside the NYU Tandon School of Engineering is suitable for transfer credit, students may qualify for transfer credit for that course by passing a validation examination. Permission to take the examination must be recorded in advance on the student’s transfer-evaluation form. The examination format is at the discretion of the department giving the course. Scheduling of the examination is by mutual agreement, but in no event can it be scheduled more than one calendar year after the student begins study at NYU Tandon School of Engineering. A grade of B or better is required for graduate students. An examination may not be taken more than once. A student who registers for or attends the course at NYU Tandon School of Engineering forfeits the right to take a validation examination.

The sum of validation credits and transfer credits is limited to 9 credits for the MS and ME degrees.

One exception to the paragraphs above regarding transfer credit and graduate validation credit: Mathematics graduate students (MS and PhD) will be permitted, with adviser approval, to exceed the 9-credit limit on transfer credits and validation units by taking specified, adviser-approved courses at the Courant Institute of NYU. In the case of MS students, such approval may not raise the number of such courses above four.

Maximum Time for Completion

Certificate Students

Graduate certificate programs must be completed within 3 years from the time of admission to graduate studies at NYU Tandon.

MS and ME Students

MS and ME degree programs must be completed within 5 years from the beginning of graduate studies at NYU Tandon.

PhD Students Admitted Prior to Spring 2019

PhD programs must be completed within 6 years for full-time students and 12 years for part-time students, counting from the time of admission to graduate studies at NYU Tandon (not from the beginning of PhD studies).

PhD Students Admitted as of Spring 2019

Full-time PhD students transferring in 24 or more credits are granted 6 years to complete their PhD studies, counting from the time of admission into the PhD program at NYU Tandon. Full-time students transferring fewer than 24 credits have 7 years to complete the PhD program, counting from the time of admission into the PhD program. Part-time PhD students must complete all requirements for the PhD within 9 years, counting from the time of admission into the PhD program.

Extensions of these time periods are rarely granted and require prior approval from the Associate Dean of Graduate Academics. Students must request an extension at least 60 days prior to the deadline for completion. If an extension is granted, not all courses taken previously may count towards the degree. The Associate Dean, consulting with the department, will prepare a plan for the student to follow to obtain the degree.

Graduate Registration Policies

All graduate students must be registered for a minimum of 1.5 credits each fall and spring semester until they graduate. However, if students begin an MS project or thesis, or a PhD dissertation, they must register for at least 3 credits of project, thesis, or dissertation every fall and spring semester until it has been completed and accepted. Thus, while students who have not previously enrolled in research credits may satisfy registration requirements and maintain their student status by registering for 1.5 credits, students who have begun a project, thesis, or dissertation in a previous semester and who have not yet completed must register for a minimum of 3 credits (of research) each fall and spring until complete. (Also refer to the section on Maintenance of Studies.)

Graduate Registration Status

Graduate students pay tuition at the per-credit rate. Full-time status is defined by the following:

• Full-time MS students must be registered for 9 credits or more each semester. Students who are normally full-time may register for fewer credits during their last semester by registering for only the number of credits necessary for graduation. During this last semester they are part-time, but can be treated as full-time-equivalent for immigration purposes only (not for the purpose of financial aid eligibility) by requesting full-time-equivalency status from the Office of Global Services.
• Full-time MS students in the lock-step, cohort-based, executive-format MS programs are registered for all courses specified by the program as published in the catalog each semester. These programs require distinct courses and/or projects, each bearing credits approved for the program.
• Prior to passing the qualifying exam, full-time PhD students must register for a minimum of 9 credits per term.  Upon passing the qualifying exam, students may maintain full-time status by registering for a minimum of 3 credits of dissertation per semester.  Students who are not officially enrolled in a PhD program, irrespective of whether or not they have passed the qualifying exam, must continue to take a minimum of 9 credits per semester until they are formally admitted to a PhD program.

A status of non-matriculated or visiting student allows students to take up to three graduate courses at NYU Tandon School of Engineering (maximum of 2 courses or 6 credits per semester) without formally applying for admission to a graduate program. If these students desire to continue at NYU Tandon School of Engineering as matriculated students in a graduate degree or certificate program, they must follow the formal application process, and admission is not guaranteed.

Maintenance of Studies

M.S. Students: Upon completing the number of MS thesis/MS project credits required by their department, students may enroll in Maintenance of Studies (MOS) for one semester in lieu of enrolling in more thesis/project credits. If the remaining work is not completed after one semester of MOS, students must resume enrollment in thesis/project credits in the following term and all subsequent terms until the thesis/project is complete. Once students elect to enroll in MS thesis/MS project, they must continue to enroll in research credits or MOS every semester until completion, even if they are taking other courses that will maintain their student status in the same semester. However, summer enrollment in thesis/project or MOS is only required if students plan to graduate in the summer term.

Ph.D. Students: Upon completing 75 credits towards the Ph.D. and all required dissertation credits, Ph.D. students may continuously enroll in MOS every semester until all remaining work for their dissertation is complete. Summer enrollment in dissertation credits or MOS is only required if students plan to graduate in the summer term.

Modifications to Curricula

Curricula and courses change from time to time in order to keep students abreast of the latest knowledge and methods within subject areas. Students are required to satisfy the curriculum and degree requirements in effect at the time of their matriculation and must obtain current degree requirements from their program adviser.

In order to accommodate curriculum and course revisions, it is sometimes necessary to substitute a course for one specified in the curriculum. Students may also request course substitutions to tailor their studies to their interests. Both the program adviser and the Office of Graduate Academics must approve all course substitutions. 

Graduate International Students

Full-time status, program and degree changes.

To maintain non-immigrant student status, international students must maintain full-time status every fall and spring semester for the entire semester (i.e., withdrawing from a course during the semester may jeopardize full-time status). Students are not required to enroll during the summer semester and may enroll for credits at their discretion. International students may register for online courses, but must be registered for a minimum of 6 credits of on-ground course work per term. All questions concerning this regulation should be addressed with the Office of Global Services (OGS). Students may take less than a full course of study if fewer credits are needed during the last semester prior to graduation, but they must notify OGS prior to the beginning of the semester and obtain full-time equivalency status. Students may qualify for a reduced course load (RCL) for valid academic and medical reasons. All exceptions must be approved by OGS before the last day of registration (the add/drop deadline) each semester so that courses can be added to the student’s schedule if necessary. Only one semester of reduced course load (RCL) for academic reasons is permitted per degree level.

Students in F-1 and J-1 status must obtain written permission from OGS for any Leave of Absence request, or to withdraw from classes if the withdrawal results in less than a full course load. They also must obtain written permission and the pertinent I-20/DS-2019 form before enrolling in a new degree program. The process of withdrawing from a course, changing programs, changing degree level, or taking a Leave of Absence through the Office of the Registrar keeps a non-immigrant student in good standing only with the School, but not with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), unless proper approval is obtained from OGS. Students planning on employment as part of their course work must obtain prior approval from OGS for any such employment.

Failure to comply with the immigration requirements for full-time status, course withdrawals, program changes, degree level changes, or Leave of Absence violates the non-immigrant student’s status and renders a student ineligible for any benefit of that status. According to USCIS, lack of compliance may also result in deportation.

Policies on Grading and Grades

Computing the grade-point average for graduate students.

For the purposes of computing GPAs for graduate students and graduate courses, the following schedule is used.

Grades S and U reflect progress on research efforts. Once the thesis or dissertation is completed, the letter grade is entered on the transcript for all research registrations. Noncredit seminar courses are graded P or F. Other than research credits, no credit-bearing courses can be assigned S or U grades. A student cannot graduate if a grade of U is on the transcript for any credit-bearing course or for research efforts at the time of graduation. A grade of I cannot be assigned to a course that is graded S or U. Grades S, U, I, W and AUD are not included in computing the GPA.

Graduate Bridge and Preparatory Courses

Many programs offer graduate bridge or preparatory courses to accommodate the needs of students who lack certain undergraduate preparation. Generally, bridge or preparatory courses cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements, particularly for degrees within the department that offers the course. However, these courses are included in the calculation of a student’s graduate GPA. Some graduate students may be required to take certain undergraduate courses as preparation for advanced graduate study. Undergraduate courses are not included in the student’s GPA calculation.

Repeating Courses

The first time a graduate student repeats a course, the lower grade is not counted towards the GPA. All subsequent grades in a course repeated more than once are included in the GPA, although degree credit is earned only once.

Course Withdrawal: The W Grade

Students may withdraw from a course or courses without academic penalty until the published withdrawal deadline of the normal fall or spring semester. Students should process their own withdrawals online via Albert Student Center during the first two weeks of the semester. After the first two weeks, students must complete a paper add/drop form and submit the form to the Office of Graduate Academics. In all cases, students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisers, as withdrawing from certain courses may delay their planned graduation date, and international students should make sure that they do not drop below full-time status (9 credits). Students who have been placed on final academic probation are not permitted to withdraw from courses without prior approval from the Office of Graduate Academics.

When the course duration varies from the norm, such as in six-, nine- or 12-week courses, please consult with the NYU Tandon SOE Records and Registration Office for deadline information. Withdrawn courses remain on the student’s transcript with a grade of W and are not calculated into the GPA. Once entered on the student’s record, a W cannot be changed to any other grade. An F grade is recorded for any student who ceases to attend a course without formally withdrawing by the required deadline.

International students who wish to withdraw from a course, or courses, must have prior approval from OGS if withdrawing will leave them with fewer than nine credits of registration.

Auditing Courses

Graduate students may audit courses instead of receiving credits and grades for them. Regular tuition is charged and courses are treated as part of a full-time load. An AUD notation is made on the student’s permanent record.

Interested graduate students should see their advisers and must notify the NYU Tandon SOE Office of Records and Registration within the first two weeks of the semester if they select courses for audit status. Under no circumstances may an audit status be changed to credit status once elected. Audited courses do not count toward satisfying graduation requirements.

Incomplete Grades 

If a student cannot complete the course work at the usual time because of valid reasons, such as illness or other critical emergency, the instructor may give a grade of Incomplete/I. In such cases, the instructor and the student must develop a detailed plan for completion that includes a specific completion date. Ordinarily this date should not extend beyond the intersession, in fairness to students who finish course requirements on time and to ensure that students complete prerequisites for advanced courses. An Incomplete grade converts to an F if the student fails to complete the work within the specified completion timeline, or at most by 180 days after the end of the semester in which the student was enrolled in the course. All Incomplete grades must be converted before graduation.

The grade of Incomplete/I is used sparingly and only in cases with valid reasons, not merely because students have planned poorly or overloaded themselves. An Incomplete grade should not be issued if a student is unable to complete the course requirements without attending or participating in the course a second time. If the student reregisters for a course in which an Incomplete grade was given, the Incomplete grade lapses to an F. If successful resolution of an Incomplete grade would require the repetition of any course or portion of a course, the instructor should not assign an Incomplete, and should instead counsel the student to withdraw from the course.

Change of Grade

Grades on file with the Registrar, with the exception of Incomplete/I grades and temporary grades (S or U), are considered final unless an error in calculating or recording the grade is discovered. No correctly reported final grade may be changed based upon re-taking an examination or completion of additional work. Incomplete/I grades are handled according to the policies described under Incomplete Grades. Temporary grades (S or U), used for continuing projects, thesis or dissertation, will be converted to standard letter grades upon completion of the project, thesis or dissertation. Once recorded with the Registrar, these grades are treated as all other final grades. If an error in calculating or reporting a grade is discovered, the instructor will submit the change of grade request to the Department Chair. If approved by the Department Chair, the request will be submitted to the Associate Dean for Graduate Academics for consideration. Any incorrectly assigned grade must be corrected within one semester.

GPA Restart

If a student who has completed a master’s degree at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering wishes to pursue another master’s degree(s), the student’s GPA is re-started. In this way, the academic performance for each degree is accurately represented.  A GPA cannot be restarted at the beginning of or during the PhD degree program.  Any GPA restart is noted on the student’s transcript.

Academic Standing and Probation

Graduate students are expected to progress in their studies and maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA at all times. Failure to do so results in the student being placed on academic probation. Graduate students are permitted a maximum of 2 semesters of probation, and these semesters need not be sequential in order to count towards the maximum limit.

Student academic progress is evaluated at the end of the spring and fall semesters (and at the end of the summer for summer admits only), irrespective of Incomplete or temporary (S/U) grades, and irrespective of whether students have dropped or withdrawn from any course(s). Any student whose GPA drops below 3.0 will be placed on probation and notified by the Office of Graduate Academics.

Students on probation must submit a signed Graduate Acknowledgement of Academic Probation and Potential Disqualification form to the Office of Graduate Academics before the start of the next semester. Students who are not yet registered for the following term will not be permitted to do so until the form is submitted to the Office of Graduate Academics. Students already registered will be de-registered from their courses if they do not submit the form. Further, any student who is on a second (final) semester of probation must obtain permission from the Office of Graduate Academics if they wish to make registration changes. The registration hold and the probation form serve to remind students on probation that they are not meeting required academic standards. No indication of academic probation appears on a student’s transcript, but a record is kept on file. Academic disqualification, however, is noted on the student’s transcript.

Students on final probation must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above at the end of that semester, or the student will be disqualified from the School. Disqualified students will not be considered for readmission. If a student is disqualified, any grade of Incomplete, S, or U at the time of disqualification will remain as such on the student’s transcript.

In addition to the academic probation process described above, a major department may request that a graduate student be placed on academic probation at any time. The request and its justification are signed by the Department Chair and sent to the Office of Graduate Academics for approval.

The probationary policies outlined above may differ from the policies governing conditionally admitted students; please refer to the Graduate Admission section on Conditional Admit status for more information, or address specific questions to the Office of Graduate Academics.

Leaves of Absence and Readmission

Leave of absence.

A student who wishes to temporarily suspend graduate studies may request a Leave of Absence. If a Leave of Absence is being requested for medical reasons, please consult with the Office of Student Affairs.  A request for a Leave of Absence for any reason other than medical must be approved by the Office of Graduate Academics.  If the leave is approved, the student’s matriculated status is maintained, and the student may resume his or her studies after the Leave of Absence. The Registrar will record a Leave of Absence on the student’s transcript.

Leaves of Absence, if approved, are granted for a maximum of one year except in extreme cases, such as compulsory national service (if such service is for more than one year). International students must also receive approval for the leave from OGS, as an approved Leave of Absence is an academic decision and does not override OGS concerns. For students admitted prior to Spring 2019, the Leave of Absence does not extend the time limit for earning a degree. For students admitted as of Spring 2019, any approved Leave of Absence does not count against the maximum time to completion, and the time limit will be extended by the number of semesters granted for Leave of Absence. (See section on Maximum Time for Program Completion.) The approval of a Leave of Absence does not preclude subsequent academic disqualification.

In most circumstances, non-medical Leaves of Absence are only approved for students in good academic standing with NYU Tandon SOE.

Readmission

Students who do not maintain continuous registration and who are not on an approved Leave of Absence must apply to NYU for readmission if they wish to continue their graduate studies. Re-admitted students must pay accrued fees for the lapsed semester(s). If readmitted, their subsequent program attendance will be guided by the terms and conditions of the readmission and by the Bulletin and rules in effect at the time of readmission. Lapsed semesters do not extend the maximum time permitted to complete the degree. If students who re-apply cannot complete their studies within the allotted time permitted from the date of their initial admission to NYU Tandon School of Engineering, they can be re-admitted as a new student, but prior courses will be treated as part of the total transfer credits permitted (see section on Transfer Credits).

Leave of Absence and Readmission for Veterans

Students in graduate programs taking a Leave of Absence to perform military services are reinstated into the same degree program with the same academic status that they had when last in attendance at the institution. The length of absence from the institution cannot exceed five academic years unless the student requests and receives an exception from the Office of Graduate Academics. Such requests when approved by the Office of Graduate Academics constitute assurance of reinstatement to the degree program from which the leave was taken. If the period of absence exceeds the approved leave, students must apply for readmission.

Withdrawal from the University

Voluntary withdrawal.

Graduate students who wish to withdraw completely from NYU Tandon SOE (as opposed to a term withdrawal) must first withdraw from all courses in which they are currently registered, and then they must complete the online total withdrawal form. To receive W grades for the semester, the withdrawal must be completed by the withdrawal deadline indicated in the academic calendar. The mere absence from courses does not constitute official withdrawal, but results in F grades recorded for courses not completed. No complete withdrawal is official unless and until this form is completed and submitted to the NYU Tandon SOE Office of Records and Registration and approved by all required signatories.  Students who submit an online total withdrawal request which is approved must reapply to NYU Tandon SOE should they wish to resume their studies in the future, and readmission is not guaranteed.

Involuntary Withdrawal

NYU Tandon School of Engineering is concerned about the health, safety and well-being of its students. Students judged to be a threat to themselves or to others may be withdrawn involuntarily from the School. The School seeks, whenever possible, for such students to be allowed to continue as active students if they agree to undergo professional care. Full details concerning this policy are available from the Office of Student Affairs.

Application Process for the Award of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees

Graduate students must file a formal application via Albert Student Center for the award of any NYU Tandon School of Engineering degree or certificate. Filing dates for each semester are published by the University Registrar . Students who do not file by the published deadline dates become candidates for the next conferral period.

Degrees are conferred and diplomas issued three times per year, typically in January, May, and September. All work for the degree must be completed and submitted before the graduation date.

NYU policy prohibits the awarding of a degree to members of the School teaching staff who hold a rank above the grade of Instructor.

Please note that a degree is not awarded unless the student applies for graduation, even if all requirements have been met. The date of the degree follows the application date for its award, not when all requirements are completed. If the application is filed more than two years after completion of degree requirements, the approval process is not automatic, and additional administrative actions may be required on a case-by-case basis.

Diplomas are mailed to the student about eight weeks after the degree conferral date. Diplomas are issued only once, subject to rare exceptions made on a case-by-case basis. Replacement diploma procedures and fees are published on the University Registrar’s website . Replacement diplomas for the NYU Tandon School of Engineering will be printed with the school name at the time of the student’s graduation.

Continuation of Studies Beyond the Initial Certificate or Master of Science

Students planning to pursue additional studies immediately following the award of an advanced degree by NYU Tandon School of Engineering should complete a new application for admission and submit it to the Graduate Admissions Office for review and approval by the department in which the new degree will be pursued. Examples are: 1) progressing from a certificate program to an MS program; 2) progressing from an MS program to a PhD program; 3) seeking a second MS degree from NYU School of Engineering. For rules governing the application of prior NYU School of Engineering credits towards a new degree program, please refer to the section on Transfer Credits and Transfer Policy Exceptions.

Internship Policies and Guidelines

Graduate internship courses are designated by CP-GY. 

These courses provide an opportunity for full-time students to pursue internship and work experiences in their fields of study that enhance and augment classroom learning, while also enhancing the overall educational experience by obtaining practical experience.

Eligibility and Requirements: Students

F-1 international students are required to complete at least two semesters of full-time study in the United States (U.S.) to be eligible for internship authorization. This may include time spent studying at another U.S. institution, including completion of a bachelor’s degree immediately prior to studying at NYU.  Please contact the Office of Global Services for details on  F-1 internship eligibility .

All graduate students must have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0, as reflected on their academic transcript. Students cannot enroll in CP courses if they have an incomplete grade (I) in any course from a prior semester. Students cannot enroll in a subsequent CP course if they have an incomplete or a fail grade (F) from a previous CP course. Students cannot enroll in a CP course if they have received Maintenance of Study (MOS) and/or a Time Extension for their current degree program. As stated above in the Graduation Requirements section for Master of Science, MS students may use no more than 3 credits of internship toward fulfillment of MS degree requirements.

Eligibility and Requirements: Work Experiences

During the academic year, work experiences must be at least 12 weeks long. During the summer, they must be at least 8 weeks long. Additionally, the work experience must be a minimum of 240 hours. Start and end dates need not coincide with the first and last day of the semester, but must fit within the semester in order to ensure that final reports may be submitted and grades may be submitted in a timely manner.

During the academic year, students cannot work more than 20 hours per week while classes are in session. Students who are in their final semester of study and who require, and are registered for, no more than 3 non-internship credits plus 0.5 to 3 internship credits – for a total of 3.5 to 6 credits for the term – may be approved to work 40 hours per week. During the summer, students are permitted to work full-time, provided that they are not also taking more than 3 credits. Work hours must be consistent with the organization’s regular work schedule.

Work experiences must comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act (www.dol.gov/whd/flsa). As such, students must be paid at least minimum wage unless specific exceptions apply. The Department of Labor outlines a six-point test (www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs71.htm) regarding unpaid internships. Employers should consult their legal counsel for more information.

Students must be hired as employees of the participating organization and must be paid directly by the organization using a W-2 form. Employers cannot pay students as independent contractors using an IRS 1099 form.

Employers must agree to assign a responsible, ranking employee as the student’s supervisor. This individual will provide appropriate supervision and mentoring, including establishing clear goals and expectations regarding tasks and projects. Employers must be willing to submit written midterm and final evaluations of the student’s work. Experiences will not be approved for companies that are not permitted to submit written evaluations. Employer supervisors must review the student’s final report so that proprietary and/or confidential information can be removed.

Students must obtain an offer letter on organization letterhead from the prospective employer. This letter must identify the company, its address, contact information, the student’s job title, and start and end dates of the internship.

Students must update their placement information through their NYU CareerNet account Profile, per instructions provided by the Wasserman Center for Career Development.

Prospective employers must complete the Employer Registration Form, which includes a detailed job description.

Students will submit their offer letter, Employer Registration Form, and printed NYU CareerNet Profile to their departmental adviser who will identify a suitable faculty adviser. The faculty adviser will be responsible for all academic matters related to the work experience. The faculty adviser will evaluate the relevancy of the work experience and, if approved, will direct the student to register for the appropriate CP course.

For approved International Students, the faculty adviser will provide the Office of Global Scholars (OGS) with all relevant information in order to process work authorization. International Students cannot begin working until they have received work authorization.

The company supervisor must provide a mid-term evaluation and a final evaluation to the faculty supervisor. The student will submit a project report at the end of the term. Some departments or programs may also require a presentation. The report (and presentation, if required) will be included as a part of the assessment for the student’s grade. Faculty advisers will provide guidelines for the reports. All CP courses will be graded as Pass (P) or Fail (F).

With the faculty adviser’s approval, consecutive work experiences may be completed with the same employer. Students must complete the same registration process and follow all procedures for re-applying and enrolling in another CP course. International Students must obtain prior permission from OGS for every period of employment. Students are not authorized to work during the interim period between the end of their prior CPT and the beginning of their next even if they will have an internship with the same company; this jeopardizes their visa status.

Anti-Reneging Policy

NYU Tandon does not permit graduate students to renege on internship offers, as it is unfair to companies, harms the school’s reputation, and discourages companies from continuing to hire current and future students. Even when at-will laws apply, students may not renege on an internship offer once accepted. Students may turn down an offer if it is not to their satisfaction. However, once an offer has been accepted, students are expected to and required to honor their agreement with that company, even if they should later receive a better offer from a different company. Once an internship has been approved by a student’s department for academic credit, no other internship will be approved for the same student in the same semester. Students must complete their internships; leaving an internship before the end date is prohibited.

Penalties for violating the anti-reneging policy include, but are not limited to: receiving an  F  for the internship course and not being permitted to do another internship. For international students, this means no further CPT will be approved.

2024-2025 University of Denver Graduate Bulletin

Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid Policies and Procedures

Financial Aid

Tuition and Fees

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Cost to Attend

Ph.d. students, master's students, other cost information, explanation of fees.

NOTE: All numbers below require annual approval by the Board of Trustees

Last updated: January 5th, 2024

Students must be registered each fall and spring semester until all degree requirements are completed. In some cases, they may also need to be registered for a summer term ( see policy ). For each term in which students are registered, they are charged the following tuition and fees. Rates are subject to change each year. Tuition typically increases by no more than 4 percent per academic year.

Generally speaking, The Graduate School covers the tuition and fees for a Ph.D. student’s first five years. After that, students are responsible for tuition and fees, and most students obtain external or departmental funding that helps cover those costs. The Graduate School also covers health insurance for years 1-6 if students choose the Duke student medical insurance plan. Visit our Statistics section to see the typical time to completion for your degree program.

More details on financial support for Ph.D. students

2024-2025 Estimated Cost of Attendance for Ph.D. Students in Years 1-3

Note: Tuition, fees, and health insurance (for the Duke student medical insurance plan) in years 1-3 are generally covered by The Graduate School's financial support package .

2024-2025 Estimated Cost of Attendance for Ph.D. Students in Years 4+

Note: The Graduate School's financial support package generally covers tuition and fees for years 4-5, as well as health insurance (for the Duke student medical insurance plan) for years 4-6. Starting in year 6, students are responsible for tuition and fees, and most of our students obtain external or departmental funding to help cover those costs. Duke also provides sixth-year tuition and fees scholarships for students who applied for but did not obtain external or departmental tuition-and-fees support.

Master's students are required to enroll in and pay tuition for at least three semesters of full-time study. After that, they will be charged per credit ( 24-25 estimated at $3,780 per credit ). Master's summer tuition will be charged at the per-credit rate up to a maximum of one-half the fall/spring full-time tuition. 

Rates are subject to change each year. Tuition typically increases by no more than 4 percent per academic year.

Information on financial support for master's students

2024–2025 Estimated Cost of Attendance for DOMESTIC Master's Students

2024–2025 ESTIMATED Cost of Attendance for INTERNATIONAL Master's Students

* – Estimated amounts due to bursar

Exceptions to the cost listed above

• Master of Arts in Liberal Studies
• Master of Arts in Teaching
• MFA (Dance or Experimental and Documentary Arts)
• Master of Arts in Bioethics and Science Policy

For all students: Estimated cost for room, food, transportation, personal, and miscellaneous: $2,994 per month

For international students:  

The chart below references funding required for international students to bring a spouse and/or dependent(s) into the United States while enrolled at Duke University Graduate School:

Estimate Graduate Education Costs

Estimate Your Graduate Education Costs

Graduate education costs vary by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, delivery method, and more.

The majority of degrees can be estimated using the formulas below, however, there are some exceptions :

• Students in designated online programs, deaf and hard-of-hearing students, and hearing NTID-supported students pay a lower graduate tuition rate. View  tuition and fees  and contact your admissions counselor for details.
• Ph.D. students typically receive full tuition and an RIT Graduate Assistantship that will pay a stipend for the academic year. Contact your  admissions counselor  for more information.

Master's and Advanced Certificate Students

Use the resources on this page to understand your graduate education cost of attendance.

Start estimating your tuition

Online Students

Tuition varies for online degree programs. View  online degree rates  and contact your online admissions counselor for details.  

Contact your online admissions counselor

Ph.D. Students

Ph.D. students typically receive full tuition and an RIT Graduate Assistantship that will pay a stipend for the academic year. Contact your Ph.D. admissions counselor for more information.

Contact your admissions counselor

What Factors into the Cost of Attendance?

Tuition and Fees

Graduate tuition for the 2024-2025 school year is billed:

• at $2,463  per credit hour  when enrolled in fewer than 12 credits per semester
• at a fixed rate  of $29,551 when enrolled for 12-18 credits per semester

The number of credits taken per semester varies by degree. Students registered for 9 or more credits per semester are considered full-time students and are billed a student activity fee ($200/semester) and a student health services fee ($275/semester). RIT offers graduate students a comprehensive, global health insurance policy . International students are automatically enrolled and billed each semester; enrollment is voluntary for domestic students (US citizens).

Additional Factors that Affect the Cost of Attendance 

Housing, Transportation, and Other Additional Expenses

Additional expenses are comprised of:

• estimated living expenses (housing and meals): $16,142 per year
• estimated transportation, books, supplies, and personal expenses: $3,016 per year

These vary by student and are usually not billed by RIT, unless a student resides in on-campus housing and/or purchases an RIT Dining meal plan.

RIT Scholarships

RIT may award a scholarship to you to reduce tuition. You are considered for merit-based scholarships when you apply for admission; no separate application is required. Scholarships are awarded as a percentage of tuition. The dollar amount of the scholarship will adjust based on the actual credit hours you enroll per semester. Please refer to the examples below.

RIT Assistantships

RIT Graduate Assistantships are offered to full-time matriculated graduate students to serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. Graduate assistants receive wages (determined by the department making the appointment) in exchange for work performed. The compensation varies depending on the assistantship type and could be a set dollar amount per semester based on an hourly wage.

How to Estimate Your Tuition

The number of credits taken each semester determines how tuition is billed.

Follow these instructions to determine credits by degree and then estimate one semester tuition or the entire degree tuition.

• 1. Each degree recommends a certain number of credits to be taken per semester. Identify if your degree recommends up to 11 credits per semester or 12-18 credits per semester by searching for your degree below.
• 2. Once you know the credits per semester and degree, you can estimate tuition per semester  and/or the total degree tuition . Use the formula that corresponds with the number of credits to calculate the estimated tuition.

Contact us if you have questions or need help.

Important Notes:

• These formulas provide estimates only. Each student's situation can vary in schedule, time to degree completion, and prerequisites.
• This estimate is based on the current year’s tuition and does not include fees and expenses. Typically, tuition rates increase 3-5% each academic year. A 30% scholarship is provided as an example only. Scholarships are not guaranteed.

Estimate Tuition per Semester

• Read the instructions , then use the applicable formula below to estimate your tuition for one semester. 
• You may have additional factors to consider in your graduate education costs. Review the tuition estimate notes .

Degrees up to 11 credits per semester

Tuition per semester = credits per semester  x per credit hour rate. Any scholarships are deducted, resulting in net tuition per semester.

Degrees with 12-18 credits per semester

Tuition per semester =  fixed rate per semester. Any scholarships are deducted, resulting in net tuition per semester.

Estimate Total Degree Tuition

• Read the instructions , then use the applicable formula below to estimate your total degree tuition. 

Degree tuition = credits required to complete the degree  x  per credit hour rate. Any scholarships are deducted, resulting in net degree tuition. 

Degree tuition  =  the number of semesters to complete the degree (credits to complete the degree / credits per semester)  x  fixed rate per semester. Any scholarships are deducted, resulting in net degree tuition.

Funding Your Education

Assistantships, loans, scholarships, co-op wages, and multiple other sources can help fund your graduate investment.

No Tuition or Fees While on Co-op

You won’t be charged fees or tuition while on co-op, because we believe you should be able to focus on developing your skills, gaining hands-on experience, and exploring your professional future without worrying about extra expenses.

Tuition Estimate Notes

It is possible that during the course of a student's study they may move from being charged on a “per-credit-hour” basis to the fixed rate, or vice versa, if the student takes 3 courses (9 credits) or fewer in one semester, then 4 or more courses (12+ credits) in another. 

Bridge or pre-requisite courses may be required by a department as a condition of admission to a degree program. Bridge or pre-requisite courses may add additional credit hours and costs. Academic courses assigned as pre-requisites or bridge courses are charged at the per credit hour rate.

All graduate students whose native language is not English are required to submit scores for an international test of English (TOEFL, IELTS, or the PTE Academic). Those who do not meet the requirements set by the graduate department to which they apply will be admitted contingent upon their taking English language courses in addition to their academic program. RIT scholarship funding is not applied to the charges associated with English Language Center courses.  View English language course tuition

Neither tuition nor fees are charged while you are on co-op.

Tuition for online degree programs vary. Students pursuing an online degree should visit their  degree program page  for more details about online degrees and tuition costs. 

Degree Requiring Up to 11 Credits per Semester

Example Degree

Computer Science MS

Degree: Computer Science MS Total credit hours required to complete the program: 30  Credits per semester: 9 Per credit hour rate: $2,171

Estimate One Semester Tuition

Credits required per semester  x  Per credit hour rate  =  Tuition per semester

Example Equation

Estimate Entire Degree Tuition

Total credit hours required to complete the program x  Per credit hour rate = Estimated degree tuition

The information, formulas, and examples provided on this page are designed to collectively help you estimate your graduate education tuition. The information should be read in its entirety in order to calculate the closest estimate to your tuition. The only way you will know for certain what it costs to attend RIT is by applying for admission and receiving official notification of your admission, any financial aid you are awarded, and any prerequisites required.

The scholarship amounts and percentages provided are examples only and must not be interpreted as the actual scholarship amount you may receive if admitted to RIT. Any financial aid offer will be determined by the RIT Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and the Office of Graduate Admissions once credentials have been evaluated.

Section 5: Tuition and Fees: Doctoral Tuition

• Section 5: Tuition and Fees
• Undergraduate Tuition
• Master's Tuition
• Education Specialist (EdS) Tuition

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Doctor of healthcare administration (dha), doctor of human services, doctor of information technology (dit) (quarter), doctor of nursing practice (dnp), doctor of public administration (dpa), doctor of public health (drph), doctor of social work (dsw), phd in clinical psychology, phd in counselor education and supervision, phd in criminal justice, phd developmental psychology, phd in education, phd in forensic psychology, phd in health education and promotion, phd in health services, phd human services  (previously phd in human and social services), phd in industrial/organizational psychology, phd in management, phd in nursing, phd in psychology, phd in psychology professional programs (clinical/counseling), phd public health, phd in public policy and administration, phd in social work, psyd behavioral leadership, doctor of business administration (dba) (semester), doctor of information technology (dit) (semester), doctor of business administration (dba) (quarter).

• Tempo Learning® Tuition
• Skills Courses
• Certificate Tuition
• Residency and Labs
• Program Fees
• Financial Aid

Tuition rates effective on or after February 26, 2024.

$645 per quarter credit hour for coursework

Tuition rates before February 26, 2024.

$630 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$745 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$730 per quarter credit hour for coursework (This rate applies only for students beginning August 30, 2021, and forward.)

$630 per quarter credit hour for coursework (This rate applies only for students beginning prior to August 30, 2021.)

$655 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$640 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$675 per quarter credit hour for cousework

$660 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$905 per quarter credit hour for coursework

Additional $80 per quarter credit hour clinical fee applies to nurse practitioner practicum coursework.

$880 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$670 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$655 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$620 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$610 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$650 per quarter credit hour for coursework 

$635 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$525 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$2,020 Internship

$515 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$1,980 Internship

$615 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$605 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$675 per quarter credit hour for coursework.

Fast-Track Option Tuition

$7,325 per term

$7,180 per term

KAM-Based Tuition (flat fee)

$5,600 per term

$730 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$5,490 per term

$7325 per term

$625 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$5,710 per term

$7,040 per term

Tuition rates effective on or after February 26, 2024

$765 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$735 per quarter credit hour for coursework (students who started prior to March 2015)

Completion Program Tuition

Tuition includes one required residency and one required dissertation intensive . Standard program fee still applies

Mixed-Model Tuition (flat fee)

$750 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$720 per quarter credit hour for course work (students who started prior to March 2015)

$790 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$775 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$685 per quarter credit hour for coursework

$650 per quarter credit hour for coursework

Tuition rates effective on or after January 8th, 2024 .

$1,025 per semester credit hour for coursework

Tuition rates before January 8th, 2024 .

$980 per semester credit hour for coursework

$1,060 per semester credit hour for coursework 

$1,060 per semester credit hour for coursework

$680 per quarter credit hour for coursework

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• Next: Tempo Learning® Tuition >>
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What are Credit Hours? The Building Blocks of Your College Diploma

Credit hours are the form of measurement most universities use to indicate how many credits a course is worth, based on the time you will likely spend on the class each week.

When you enroll in a college degree program, you do so in hopes of opening doors to opportunities as you begin or advance your career. You want to cross that finish line sooner rather than later, but you may not realize what's involved to get you to that point.

College degrees are granted when you’ve earned the number of credit hours an institution has designated for that particular program, based on recommendations from an accrediting organization .

So, What are Credit Hours vs. Credits?

According to the U.S. Department of Education ( ED ), most universities in the U.S. award credit by the semester hour. Within those institutions, most courses are worth 3 credits. In creating a credit hour definition, the ED describes a single semester credit hour as 1 hour per week of class time and 2 hours of student preparation time.

Occasionally, some courses are worth more or fewer credits. For example, a weekly lab accompanying a science course may be worth 1 credit.

Credits by Degree Level

Each degree level requires a specific number of credits to graduate , commonly seen as:

• Associate degree : 60 semester credits, or 20 classes
• Bachelor’s degree : 120 semester credits, or 40 classes
• Master’s degree : The length of a master's degree  varies. It typically is in the range of 30-40 semester credits or as many as 60 semester credits, depending on the program and the institution

It’s important to note that the credits earned for an associate degree could be transferred into a bachelor’s program ; you shouldn’t have to start your 120 credits from the beginning. If you transfer to a college that has instituted a guided pathway for a seamless transition, have a conversation with your admission counselor or academic advisor about your credits.

The university's support team will want to work with you so that most or all of your 60 credits are brought into your bachelor’s program, saving you time and money.

Going to graduate school is different, however. Earning your master’s degree means starting a new program, so you’ll be earning completely different credits than what you completed for your bachelor's work.

How are Credits Distributed Within a Degree Program?

In undergraduate programs, credit hours are oftentimes split into 3 categories: general education requirements , program requirements and free electives.

While general education courses (or “gen eds”) are usually similar across programs within an institution – these include standard English, STEM, humanities and social science classes – the number of free elective credits will differ. This is because program requirements are vastly different across degree programs due to the outcomes they need to meet. More program requirements can mean fewer free electives, and vice versa.

Graduate coursework is different. Because undergraduate work is complete – meaning a student has already attained a well-rounded education – students are able to use this level of education to hone in on a particular interest or career path. All credits in a graduate program are typically just the program requirements.

How Many Credit Hours Do You Need Per Semester?

The number of credit hours you'll need to complete per semester varies by institution, degree level and your personal goals. First, you'll want to consider how much time you can designate to your education and how soon you want to complete your degree. The more time you have and the quicker you want to finish, the more credits you should take per semester or term.

Some institutions that offer courses by semester require you to take 12 or more credits per semester to be considered a full-time student, or, 6-8 if you're going to school part time. Other intuitions operate on shorter schedules. For example, online universities may offer six terms per year. In this case, completing six credits or more credits per term indicates that you're a full-time student, and any less is part time.

Financial aid is another variable. If you're receiving financial aid  to help you cover the cost of tuition, it may be under the expectation that you complete a certain number of credit hours per semester. Be sure to check your award package or ask an advisor to help you understand your situation.

Semester Hour vs. Quarter Hour

Courses may also be worth a different amount of credits if they're based on a quarter-hour calendar, which isn’t as popular as the semester hour calendar in the U.S. While the type of calendar your school operates on doesn’t matter if you stay at the same school throughout your degree program, it's important to understand the implications if you transfer schools.

If you move from a college that uses one calendar to a school that uses another, you wouldn't have the same number of total credits, or the same amount of credits assigned to a course. Colleges use formulas to determine how the credits transfer. Typically, one quarter hour equals 2/3 of a semester hour.

How to Calculate Your Credit Hours

To calculate how many credit hours you have left to complete in your degree, you'll need to compare how many credits are required in your program to the number of credits you've earned. Make sure to account for the specific requirements for your program, too.

You can review your transcripts to see how many credit hours you have earned, but just because you completed a course doesn't necessarily mean you have earned those credits. For instance, most schools have grade requirements that you must meet for a course to be counted.

If you're currently enrolled, your school can confirm how many credits you have earned toward your program, as well as how many credits you have remaining.

Transferring Your Credits

If you're planning on transferring colleges , you'll need to apply to your prospective school and have your transcripts evaluated to see how many credits will be accepted.

You might be surprised to learn how many of your credits can be transferred to some school — even if it's been a while since you earned them. Some schools, such as Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), offer free credit transfer evaluations that allow you to maximize prior learning and give you the credit you deserve. It's as simple as this at SNHU:

• Complete the free 5-minute online application . There’s no obligation after filling it out.
• Get your transcripts requested – for free . Chat with an admission counselor, and we'll request your transcripts on your behalf.
• Receive your free evaluation . Soon after all your transcripts are in, you'll get your official evaluation. It will show you what was transferred in – and what classes you need to complete.

"My first attempt at college was approximately 30 years ago," said Colleen Russell '20 . "I was shocked that SNHU accepted so many credits."

Still Have Credit Hour Questions?

If you’re still confused about credit hours and what they mean in terms of your education and career goals, talk to your admission counselor or academic advisor. The support service teams at your university can clarify how many credits you’ve already earned, what courses you should register for to earn credits toward your degree requirements and how many credits you have left to earn.

A degree can change your life. Find the SNHU online program  that can best help you meet your goals.

Deidre Ashe '18G is a copywriter in higher education. Connect with her on LinkedIn .

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About southern new hampshire university.

SNHU is a nonprofit, accredited university with a mission to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs . Our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH is home to over 3,000 students, and we serve over 135,000 students online. Visit our about SNHU  page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards.

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Graduate College

Course loads and full, three-quarter, and half-time, general details heading link copy link.

“Full-time” for graduate students is defined as registration in 9 hours in Fall and Spring Semesters (5 or more hours in Summer, although registration for Summer is optional in most situations).  Effective Fall 2021 , students holding a Graduate College fellowship and/or a Graduate College tuition and service fee waiver without an assistantship are required to register for more than 9 hours (5 in Summer) or more hours. There are reasons why a student might need to register for more hours, such as, but not limited to:

• A requirement of your degree program.
• A requirement of your non-Graduate College fellowship

Students who can devote full attention to their studies usually enroll for 12 to 16 credit hours each term. In exceptional cases, the advisor and director of graduate studies may permit a student to enroll for up to 20 hours. Registration for more than 20 hours is not recommended but is allowed on a term-by-term basis with the approval the Director of Graduate Studies and the Graduate College.

Many programs allow registration as part-time students.  Consult with your program if you have questions.

International Services registration policy Heading link Copy link

9 hours for students without assistantships or with assistantship appointments less 50%; 8 hours if assistantship appointment is 50% in Fall and Spring Semesters.

If on a student visa  (F-1 or J-1) , effective Fall 2009, full-time for graduate students is defined as registration in 9 hours in Fall and Spring Semesters and 5 hours in Summer, although registration for Summer is optional in most situations.  International students might be required to register for more hours for a number of reasons, such as, but not limited to:

• A requirement of your non-Graduate College funding

Note that full-time is still defined as 9 hours, even if registration for more than 9 hours is required, or less than 9 hours is allowed.

Full, Three-Quarter, and Half-Time Heading link Copy link

These designations are often used for requirements for United Stated federal student loans, work-study, veteran’s scholarships, and official University reporting statistics.  Read the information presented above carefully, since there are various reasons that more than the minimum full-time registration level may be required. Domestic students in these situations should consult the Office of Financial Aid and international students should visit the Office of International Services for current definitions.

Graduate students are identified in Banner by the  2G  attribute. This does not apply to professional students ( 2P ) or other academic levels (undergraduate, non-degree, etc.).

• Office of Financial Aid
• Office of International Services

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The UIC U-Pass program is now optional. Visit the U-Pass website for more information.

• UIC U-Pass Program

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For graduate students, 9 hours (5 hours in Summer) registration is considered full-time for student loans.  Half-Time is 5 hours (3 hours in Summer).  Consult with the Office of Financial Aid is you have any questions.

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Tuition range scales are not based on full time or part time, but the total number of hours for which the student is registered for.  See the Office of the Registrar for complete information.

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Effective Fall 2021, registration must be 9 hours of credit per semester of award (5 or more in summer, though summer is usually optional).

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Full-time waiver holders must register for at least 9 hours of credit per semester of award (5 or more in summer); part-time waiver recipients must register for 1-8 hours in Fall and Spring; 1-2 hours in summer.

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Must register for at least 8 hours of credit each semester, excluding summer. While summer enrollment is optional, assistants who wish to use their summer tuition and service fee waivers must register for at least 3 hours during that term. Some graduate programs may require registration for more than 8 hours per term and/or summer registration. There are no tuition and service-fee waiver benefits for students employed with less than 25% or more than 67% appointment. Assistants who qualify for a Spring tuition and service fee waiver automatically receive a summer waiver if registered for at least 3 hours in summer and do not have an assistantship appointment in the summer.  If an assistant has a summer appointment a waiver is granted for registration in at least 3 hours with appointments of 25% – 67%.  See Assistantships for more information.

Note that 8 hours of registration (fall and spring) with an assistantship will satisfy the requirements of the assistantship and waiver but will not qualify as being full-time.  Nine or more hours of registration is considered full-time, with or without an assistantship.

• Assistantships

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For purposes of enrollment certification for immigration purposes, the Graduate College considers international students to be pursuing a minimum full-time program of study if they: (1) enroll for 9 or more hours of credit or (2) hold an assistantship appointment (teaching (TA), research (RA), or graduate (GA) for one-half time (50%) and enroll for at least 8 hours of credit edit.  These requirements are for Fall and Spring semesters.

Students on an F-1 visa may be eligible to register for zero hours if all requirements are complete except for project or thesis, and a petition is submitted to the Graduate College and approved. The petition must be endorsed by the advisor and DGS or head of program and the Office of International Services.  Students having an active fellowship, assistantship, or tuition and service-fee waiver are not eligible for zero-hours.

How many credits to take in grad school?

<p>I’m used to taking 15-17 credits per semester and my current choices for grad school tell me that i should take about 9, 12 at the most. Is this normal? Even if i take the 12 per semester i can finish a semester early and save myself a good chunk of money.</p>

<p>In the future, it helps if you give us more info so we don’t have to dig through your old posts to know what program you are referring to.</p>

<p>For a credit-based Masters, yes, 9-12 credits is normal. Speaking from my own experiences in the sciences, a 3-unit graduate class is equivalent to a 4-5 unit undergrad class in terms of work load. Before making any major decisions about graduating early, I would talk to several current students in the programs. If actual students tell you 9 is reasonable and 12 is the limit, then listen to them.</p>

<p>I presume you are using this program as an investment in your future. If so, don’t be too caught up on saving a bit of money that you rush through your education without properly absorbing the knowledge you’re paying for. The more classes you try to cram in each semester, the less well you learn from each one. From my uninformed end, I would say don’t try to finish more than that one semester ahead.</p>

<p>Your DGS may not let you do this. I sure wouldn’t.</p>

<p>I know this is an old thread, but has anyone taken 15 credits (5 courses) in a semester at the graduate level? Is it manageable?</p>

<p>Credits are not all created equal. I have a one credit class that makes a strong recommendation about showing up but requires nothing else at all. I have a “continuation” credit that is an administrative marker. I have a three credit class that requires two hours a week worth of class time and no outside work and another three credit class that requires a conservative 10 hours a week of outside work and six hours in class.</p>

<p>i’d say 5 graduate courses in one semester is not even remotely manageable. you will not have time to complete your coursework, let alone work on your own research.</p>

<p>at the moment, i’m taking 10.5 credits of coursework. 3 seminars, each worth 3 credits, all with heavy reading loads, presentations, and writing. and then i’m taking a 1.5 credit independent study that is just reading and discussion. on top of that, i’m trying to pull together research for my own masters thesis.</p>

<p>on average, not including my own research, i have around 60-70 hours of coursework each week (if i read something carefully and take note, i can cover 20 pages an hour). that’s about 10 hrs/day of work, and that doesn’t take into account my masters thesis stuff, going grocery shopping, doing laundry, cooking meals, commuting (i can’t read on the bus), and all the other time-consuming parts of life you can’t ignore.</p>

<p>the result has been that my own work has been put on the back-burner and i pull at least one all-nighter every week just to keep up. my advisor acknowledged it was a heavy courseload and we’re scaling back next semester so i can devote some time to my thesis, but every professor or grad student that learns my schedule always responds with “that’s way too much.” and they’re right.</p>

<p>so… based on my experience with 3 and a half classes, individual research, and no teaching requirements, i’d say that 5 grad courses would probably kill you. i work pretty hard and fairly efficiently and i’m burnt out.</p>

<p>^ Strangelight, I’m not working on a master’s thesis. I’m in a professional master’s program. The average courseload in my program is 12 credits (~4 courses).</p>

<p>It’s really going to depend on the school, but 3-4 is considered full time.</p>

<p>5 graduate courses is death. I’m in a doctoral program now and I take 4 courses a semester, because the rigors of my program requires 1) that we take 60 points (or 20 courses) and 2) that we finish these 60 points within 3 years. Also, normal degree progression requires me to finish the courses in 2 and a half years, thus, 4 courses per semester (roughly 12 points - some classes have an extra credit and I get points for doing various other things so I might get away with taking fewer classes in my final two semesters).</p>

<p>And even THAT is too much. The students have been complaining about the heavy courseload design of this program for a while. I don’t have to TA, so that’s a lifesaver, but if I had to TA I would never be able to get anything done. And I WANT to TA, but I can’t because the courseload would be too rough. I’m trying currently to see if I could get credit for TAing instead of a class.</p>

<p>I also don’t know of any grad program, professional or not, that requires its students to take 5 courses a semester just to keep up. The MPH program here effectively requires 4 courses per semester (students need 45 points to graduate and that usually is about 4 courses a semester depending upon what other for-credit opportunities they have, including their theses and practica). Theoretically a student could take 15 points a semester and graduate in 3, but I haven’t heard of or met anyone who has ever done that.</p>

<p>Presumably, you attend for the knowledge set, not for the degree by itself. Rushing through means that you won’t be able to seriously attend to the material. You might get the degree, but you’ll be less likely to retain what you’ve learned.</p>

<p>As for saving money, I thought most credit-based master’s programs charged by the credit, not by the semester, so taking extra courses crammed into fewer months doesn’t really save anything other than time. And surely that time will be miserably difficult.</p>

<p>Universities consider 12 credits for undergrads to be fulltime and 9 credits in grad school are fulltime. Grad school students often have funding jobs- teaching/research on top of those credits as well. Taking 12 credits per semeste rwould take 10, not 8 semesters to get 120 credits for an undergrad degree. By this logic taking more than 9 credits per semester seems to be needed to finish required grad coursework in a timely fashion. Also 18 undergrad credits is the most some schools allow without paying extra for undergrads, using this logic 50% more credits, or 14 credits would be an extreme grad school load. The 9-12 credits recommendation is logical.</p>

<p>Definitely pay attention to the above posters who talk about not rushing. The knowledge gained is why you are there, not just a piece of paper.</p>

<p>I don’t attend school for the knowledge I gain in the classroom (though perhaps you were talking about MS candidates). This is why I have been taking 3-4 classes a semester on top of being a full-time research assistant so that I can complete my coursework as fast as possible and work on research full-time. Frankly, I’m doing poorly in my classes because of this load, but I know that a 3.5 won’t matter too much as compared to maybe the 3.8 I would have if I had taken it slow.</p>

<p>Why aren’t you in it for the knowledge? You will find those that got the A’s learned more and will have an easier time of it taking the more advanced classes. Grad school is not about being a “jack of all trades and master of none”. However, just focussing on one area through your research will leave many gaps in your knowledge in your field. You will have to pass qualifiers in more than just your research field so take the time now to learn the material. Skipping the less interesting material in favor of doing what you are most interested in will hurt you in the long run. You need to be building a good foundation- that is why they have the requirements in schools. Undergrad life is too soon to superspecialize. It is no fun to learn all of the material presented but it does make it easier later on. Despite the fact that you are doing research it is at the undergrad level and expectations are not as high as for a grad student. You may be shocked at your poor knowledge base when the bar is set for the grad level. Of course if the nonA’s are in fields other than your major and B’s then it is good to have pushed yourself. Final thought- do you want to be well educated, or even consider yourself educated? Or are you in it for the job? You lead a much richer life if you take advantage of opportunities when you have them. You will never again get the chance to learn so much about so many different areas as you do as an undergrad. Years later the money spent now or the short extra year of your life spent won’t matter but the lost opportunities can’t be retrieved.</p>

<p>^ I see school as trying to absorb as much material as possible. That’s why taking 12-15 credits may sound demanding, but it is manageable. Plus, you get exposure to new ideas and perspectives.</p>

<p>I definitely graduated from undergrad with more credits than necessary. It was well worth it.</p>

<p>Business/professional school is different than other post graduate schooling.</p>

<p>Taking more undergraduate credit than is necessary is one thing. Taking 6-8 extra credits in graduate is quite another. </p>

<p>In graduate school, you are expected to use courses as springboards to more in-depth research/knowledge on your own. Many students make the mistake of believing grad school is merely a couple more years of undergraduate work, only more advanced. The type of learning and the expectations are entirely different.</p>

<p>bumping post because it comes up first in google results. sorry, but this may help someone else out</p>

<p>I am currently in a Masters program. I did my undergrad in computer science. I will not lie, I did not do my Bachelors degree for knowledge, for some college experience, etc. I did it as a means to get into grad school. I flunked out of the University of Texas in 1999 after half a semester and did not return to community college until i was 28 years old. I ended up dual enrolling in a community college and in my degree granting university, and completing the rest of my 3.75 years of college in about 2. I averaged 18 hours a semester, 12 hrs a summer, and because i was going to 2 schools at the same time, i actually got credit for 24 HRS my last semester of undergrad, however, only because i took 2 CLEP tests for history lol(there was no way i was taking 2 history classes and adding an extra semester to graduation . I made the lowest possible passing score on those tests without even studying, so i would say i payed enough attention in High School history. my gpa was 3.44</p>

<p>All that bragging about how good at school i am leads me to this point. I used undergrad as a means to get to where i wanted to be, graduate school. Now i take it very slow. Graduate school is nothing like undergrad. You dont learn things and memorize them and spit it out on an exam. You write papers, you do research, you use critical thinking. When your professor poses a question, you do not look it up in the index of a book, you actually use your brain for the first time in your schooling life. I only take 9 hrs MAX in grad school. sometimes 6. Graduate School is much more demanding. I did my undergrad at the same school i am doing grad work at, so its not because i am going to a harder school. It is largely the same teachers i had for undergrad classes.</p>

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A Complete Guide to College Credits for Graduation

College credits are units that measure the learning of students during their degrees. You may be wondering how many credits to graduate college are needed. In this article, we will determine how many hours you need to graduate college, along with other vital information like semester hours vs credit hours.

Let’s look at the credit hours required for different degree levels and subjects. Find out what transfer credits are and what schools accept transfer credits. Learn how many credits you need to graduate college, how many transfer credits colleges accept, and more. You can meet the education requirements for your degree and graduate with a strong academic record.

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What are college credits.

College credits are units that measure how much learning a student will complete during a college degree. Each course that you take has a specific number of credits assigned to it. Usually, each credit represents one hour of attendance in class and two hours of independent work each week.

Most college courses have three credits per class. During each three-credit course, students will spend three hours per week in the classroom listening to lectures and six hours per week completing assignments and studying independently.

Types of College Credits

There are a few different college credit types depending on different kinds of courses. You get elective credits, major credits, and general education credits. The course will award you a specific type of credit, and each degree program has specific college credit hour requirements. You will need a particular number of major, elective, and general education credits for graduation.

Area of Study

Area of study credits, also known as major credits, are credits earned through courses directly related to your major. A student’s major is the main subject they are studying during their degree programs, such as economics, engineering, or graphic design. Each degree has a specific number of credits you need to earn by taking major courses.

General Education

General education credits are aimed at giving students a broad knowledge of subjects such as mathematics, oral communication, and writing. Math courses, literature courses, and history courses will help students earn general education credits. Each university usually has a list of general education courses students can choose from.

Elective credits are earned through elective courses, which are courses that students can choose from. These elective courses will make up the additional credit hours needed to meet the graduation requirements. Taking easy electives can help you meet education requirements while getting a higher grade point average.

How Many Hours Do You Need to Graduate College?

You will need 120 credits to graduate college with a bachelor’s degree. You need to earn a specific number of credit hours depending on your degree program. Each degree level has a particular number of credits required for graduation. If you are pursuing an associate program, you need to earn approximately 60 credit hours.

For example, an Associate of Arts degree takes two years to complete, meaning students will need to earn 15 credits per semester. While completing a bachelor’s degree, students usually need to earn 120 course credits to qualify for graduation. Undergraduate degree programs typically require more credit hours than graduate degrees.

A student pursuing a master’s degree will need to earn 30 to 60 credits to reach degree completion. In comparison, doctoral degree credit requirements vary greatly and usually have between 30 to 90 credit hours. This depends on your major requirements and the type of program you’re enrolled in.

Semester Hours vs Credit Hours

Credit hours are the amount of credits a student will receive for the courses they are enrolled in. In comparison, semester hours are the number of credit hours students will earn and are enrolled in during a semester.

Some private and public institutions use these two terms interchangeably, so do your research and contact an advisor at your school of choice to understand the difference. Your credits can affect both your class schedule and your cumulative grade, so make sure you know what credits you’re getting.

How Many College Credits Is Full-Time?

Undergraduate college students need to be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits per semester to be considered full-time students, according to the University of Nebraska Omaha. This rule applies to most colleges and universities, so do your research first.

Most full-time undergraduate students complete 12 to 15 credit hours per semester. Graduate students should be enrolled in at least nine credits per semester to be considered full-time students. These numbers will differ if you’re in summer classes or a specialized career field.

How Many College Credits Is Part-Time?

Students completing an undergraduate degree at a university or college must be enrolled in six credit hours per semester to be considered part-time. In contrast, graduate students usually must be enrolled in four credits each semester to qualify as part-time students. Completing a degree as a part-time student may take much longer than if you complete a full-time degree.

How Many Credits to Graduate College With an Associate Degree?

Each associate degree program has specific degree requirements to be able to graduate. Usually, an associate-level degree takes two years to complete and has 60 or more credit hours. Look at the table below of education credits required to graduate from an associate program in subjects like accounting, business administration, and computer science .

How Many Credits to Graduate College With a Bachelor’s Degree?

You will need to earn 120 credit hours or more during your bachelor’s degree to qualify for graduation. Each bachelor’s degree program has a specific amount of credit hours depending on the school and program requirements.

You can find particular credit requirements on each university’s official website. Read the table below of the credit requirements for an industrial design, economics, or artificial intelligence bachelor’s degree .

How Many Credits to Graduate College With a Master’s Degree?

The credit requirements for graduation from a master’s degree vary depending on the program. Most master’s degrees require 30 education credits or more to qualify for graduation. The list below will look at various master’s degrees in game development , advertising, and more. Read below to find out how many credits each program requires.

How Many Credits to Graduate College With a Doctorate Degree?

To graduate with a doctorate degree , you will need to earn around 30 education credits. A doctoral degree usually requires students to earn 30 or more academic credits to qualify for graduation, but special programs will differ in credit requirements.

Look at the detailed list below of different PhDs and their credit requirements. We will discuss how many credits you need to earn a PhD in Cyber Security and many more subjects. If your career goals include an advanced program like a doctoral degree, these credit requirements are important to look at.

What Are Transfer Credits?

Transfer credits are education credits students have earned during previous educational experiences in a different college or program. Students can transfer these credits to another university, which will count towards the minimum credit requirements of their degree or diploma at another higher education institution.

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Many colleges and universities accept transfer credits from transfer students, but some do not. Research transfer credit information on the school’s official website to determine whether it accepts transfer credits.

Colleges That Accept Transfer Credits

• Southern New Hampshire University . This highly reputable university allows transfer students to transfer up to 90 college credit hours. Southern New Hampshire University accepts transfer credits for both on-campus and online programs.
• University of Phoenix . Prospective students transferring to the University of Phoenix can transfer their credits as long as they have attended an accredited academic institution. Other students who have transferred credits to this postsecondary institution have saved between $5,000 and $12,000 on tuition.
• University of North Texas . Full-time students and part-time students at the University of North Texas can transfer up to 44 education credits. To transfer credits, there are also specific GPA requirements for students. Check the school’s official website to find out detailed transfer credit information.
• Saint Louis University . This four-year institution accepts college credits from other universities but requires students to have a grade of C or above to be eligible. Students can transfer an unlimited number of semester credits to Saint Louis University .
• Clemson University . Clemson University accepts transfer credits but requires students to submit their academic transcripts beforehand.

How Long Are College Credits Good For?

College credits are good for life and do not usually expire, although this can depend on the area of study. This is helpful for students who need to take breaks from studies for some reason or want to further their education later in their lives. However, several factors influence whether you can transfer your credits, such as the age of credits, their relevance, and the transfer policy of the school you choose to attend.

Do College Credits Expire?

No, college credits do not usually expire. However, certain credits may not be transferable for several reasons. Credits earned from courses in rapidly changing areas such as science, technology, engineering, and math, have a shelf life while general education courses do not. Reach out to the university or college of your choice to see how many of your credits earned are still usable.

How Many Credits Do You Need to Graduate College?

You will need between 30 and 180 credits to graduate college, depending on the degree level of your program and the subject. Each program is unique, and it’s up to you to determine how many credits are needed to graduate from the program.

Typically, undergraduate degrees consist of 60 to 180 credits, while graduate degrees require students to earn 30 to 90 credits to graduate. Make sure to do your research and become familiar with your chosen school’s credit transfer guidelines.

How Many Credits to Graduate College FAQ

Yes, you can complete a bachelor’s degree in less than four years if you have already completed an associate degree. This will allow you to transfer your credits earned during your associate degree to your bachelor’s degree. Transferring credits will save you time and money.

No, you cannot earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree without earning credits. However, many universities offer non-credit programs which will award you a certificate upon completion of the program.

Yes, online degrees will require the same credits as in-person degrees. The only differences between an online degree are that you will attend online classes, and it may take less or more time to finish depending on how much time you spend on your studies each week.

Yes, community colleges do accept transfer credits. Each community college has different transfer credit policies, so research these policies before transferring your credits.

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2025-2026 Cost of Attendance

2025-2026 cost of attendance before financial aid.

Below are specific costs associated with various on-campus undergraduate and graduate programs and services; room and board for individual residence halls; on-campus student fees for undergraduate and graduate students; and tuition rates for evening and online programs.

Remember, there are  a variety of resources  that may help defray many of these costs. About 98% of Keuka College students receive some form of financial assistance.

Direct Costs

Direct costs are the expenses you pay directly to Keuka College. 

Estimated Indirect Costs

Indirect costs are additional expenses you may incur while attending college but are not directly paid to the institution.

Cost of Attendance (Excluding Financial Aid)

Scholarships for Undergraduate Students Beginning in 2025-2026

Scholarships for first-time students.

Scholarships for Transfer Students

Cost of Attendance for Online & Graduate Students

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The University determines your enrollment status based on how many credits you take each semester. This information applies whether you are degree-seeking or taking classes as non-degree. Your enrollment can have impacts to your student status, your financial aid, veteran benefits, and other aspects of your academic career.

*Includes students enrolled in the Graduate School, Medical Doctor, Dental Fellow Specialist, Master of Business Administration, Master of Education, Master of Healthcare Administration, Master of Public Health, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy. **Includes students enrolled in the Law School, School of Dentistry, and School of Pharmacy programs.

Flat-rate tuition for undergraduates

If you're a degree-seeking undergraduate student who is taking 13 or more credits, you'll be charged at the flat rate tuition . Any credits beyond 13 are available at no additional charge. If you take fewer than 13 credits, you'll be charged per credit.

Prior to fall 2023, you would get charged at the flat-rate tuition if you took fewer than 13 credits, unless you requested an exemption. That process is no longer in practice. You do not need to request an exemption for taking fewer than 13 credits, and you will automatically be billed per credit.

Veteran education benefits credit requirements

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses a Rate of Pursuit (ROP) estimation to define training time statuses based on how many credits a student is enrolled in. Your VA benefits will vary based on your program, the number of credits you take, the course modality, and the start and end dates of your courses.

For questions about enrollment and veteran benefits, contact University Veterans Services .

+ VA education benefit requirements

Your VA education benefit payments will be determined by your enrollment status. If you are not enrolled full time, your benefits will be prorated. You can estimate your VA education benefit rates by using the GI Bill® Comparison Tool .

If you have questions about your payment status, the VA Education Office can be reached at 1-888-442-4551.

Chapter 33 enrollment information

If you are enrolled:

• More than half-time (7-11 undergraduate or 4-5 graduate credits), you will receive a prorated monthly housing allowance. Tuition payments will remain at your level of eligibility.
• Half-time or less, you will not receive a monthly housing allowance.
• For online-only learning, the VA bases your monthly housing allowance on ½ of the national average. You must be taking at least one in-person course to receive a monthly housing allowance based on the full MHA amount.

Chapters 30, 31, 35, 1606 enrollment information

If you are enrolled less than full-time, you will receive prorated monthly payments of your education benefits. 

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website .

+ Summer enrollment

The University of Minnesota does not have one standard summer term. If you plan to take classes during the May or summer terms your full-time status may be different than you expect. Your benefits will vary based on your program, the number of credits you take, and the length of your classes

For summer or May term classes it can be difficult to determine if you are full-time or not. Please contact University Veterans Services for help.

Financial aid eligibility

Most financial aid awards require that you enroll in a minimum number of credits to receive the award.

Max credit enrollment

Undergraduate students may not register for more than 20 credits per fall or spring semester, or more than 15 credits in summer. Contact your college to request to exceed the maximum credit load.

In most programs, graduate students may not register for more than 18 credits per semester. Contact your program to learn more or to make a request to exceed the maximum credit load.

Maintain active status

Undergraduate.

You must maintain continuous enrollment (i.e. register for classes) every fall and spring term. This is called maintaining “active” status. However, if you do not register for classes for a single term (with the exception of summer), your student status will be discontinued, or moved to “inactive” status. As an undergraduate, if you do not register for two or more consecutive semesters and at a later date wish to resume your studies at the University, you will have to apply for readmission.

If you need to take time off, a  leave of absence  may be appropriate. Speak with your advisor.

Graduate and professional

As a graduate or professional student, you must maintain active status in order to continue with your degree. If you do not register for a fall or spring semester, you will be withdrawn and your student record will be deactivated. In this situation, you may have to re-apply to your degree program in order to continue your studies. Find more information in the grad leave policy .

A leave of absence or special registration may be appropriate to allow you to take time off. Talk with your director of graduate studies, advisor, or department.

• Liberal education requirements
• Education requirements prior to fall 2010
• Designated theme courses
• Diversified core courses
• Writing requirement
• Types of loans
• Compare loans
• Minnesota GI Bill
• GI Bill® payments

Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Tuition and fees.

Please note:

• Courses taken outside of the student's home college may be billed at the per-credit rate of the college offering the course.
• Rates shown below apply to U.S. campuses only.  Please visit Tuition and Fees for Students Studying at Canadian Campuses for Canadian campus tuition and fee information.

University Interdisciplinary Programs

Bouvé college of health sciences, college of arts, media and design, college of engineering, college of professional studies , college of science, college of social sciences and humanities, d'amore-mckim school of business, khoury college of computer sciences, mills college at northeastern university, school of law, dissertation and continuation.

Visit  Fee Descriptions  for more details.

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Course Catalog | Liberty University

Expenses and financial policy.

Matthew Cooper, M.B.A. Vice President of Student Financial Services

Student Financial Services (SFS) Mission Statement: Student Financial Services exists to empower students to make informed decisions regarding funding their Liberty University education by providing unrivaled access to institutional resources, federal and state aid, and military benefits. We come alongside students to help fulfill their God-ordained purpose by providing exceptional customer service and innovative solutions and programs while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and compliance.

Resident Program Tuition and Fees 2024-2025

Doctoral programs.

• Doctoral Programs: D.N.P. and Ph.D. - $635 per hour
• *Psy.D. rate applies to the Spring 2022 term and forward

Graduate Programs

• Masters Programs - $545 per hour
• $410 part-time, per hour
• $2,850 full-time, block rate per semester
• Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (M.S.) - $650 per hour

Rawlings School of Divinity Degree Programs (Graduate and Doctoral Programs)

• Rawlings School of Divinity Block Rate: 9 – 15 credit hours per semester - $2,850
• Less than 9 or more than 15 credit hours per semester - $410

School of Law

• Juris Doctor (full-time) - $ 41,800 per year
• Juris Doctor (part-time) - $ 1,395 per hour

College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM)

• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine - $49,440 per year

Mandatory Fees:

• Application Fee - $50 one time
• Course Audit Fee - $75 per hour
• Graduate Writing Assessment - $125 one time
• Inclusive Access Fee - $38 per hour
• Degree Completion Application Fee - $100 per application
• $285 per semester
• $570 per year
• $214 per semester
• $428 per year
• $150 per semester
• $300 per year
• $50 per semester
• $100 per year
• $500 per semester
• $1,000 per year
• $675 per year
• $1,750 (first year only)
• $170 per semester
• $340 per year

Additional Expenses:

• Students’ direct costs for books, materials, and online content fees could vary each year, depending on their program of study, program level, semesters of attendance, and varying materials needed for each course.
• Students’ direct costs for supplies could vary each year, depending on their program of study, program level, semesters of attendance, and varying materials needed for each course.
• $ 2,653 per semester
• $ 5,306 per year
• $3,353 per semester
• $6,706 per year
• $ 3,894 per semester
• $ 7,788 per year
• $4,506 per semester
• $9,012 per year
• $2,369 per semester
• $4,738 per year
• $ 2,600 per semester
• $ 5,200 per year
• $ 2,900 per semester
• $ 5,800 per year

Washington Fellowship Program: 1

• Fall or Spring - $9,645 per semester
• Summer - $440 per credit hour
• Fall, Spring, and Summer - $5,600 per semester

Once a student is accepted a $300 non-refundable housing deposit will be charged to their account. The deposit will be applied to the room charge during the semester they attend the Fellowship.

1  All students enrolled in the Washington Fellowship Program for the Fall or Spring who are not registered full-time will be assessed the part-time rate of $815 per credit hour. In addition, students will be assessed $815 per credit hour for all registration that exceeds the block rate. If a student chooses to take courses in the Summer while living in Washington Fellowship housing, the Summer tuition rate of $440 per credit hour will apply.

Conditional Fees:

• Vehicle Registration (optional) - $300 per year (max)
• Parking Fee – LUCOM - $100 per semester
• Financial Check-In Late Fee - $150 per semester
• Graduation Fee – LUCOM - $950 one time
• Replacement ID Card (Flames Pass) - $25 one time
• Check Cashing - $1 per check
• Failed Payment Processing Fee - $35 per transaction
• Fall - $659 per semester
• Spring/Summer - $913 per semester

Student Identity Verification:

• Liberty University does not charge additional fees for student identity verification.

Payment Plan Fees:

• Payment Plan Participation Fee - $50 per semester

Online Program Tuition and Fees 2024-2025

• $650 part-time per hour
• $595 full-time per hour
• $395 part-time per hour (Less than 7 credit hours)
• $2,750 block rate (7-15 credit hours)
• $275 per hour
• $1,200 part-time per hour
• $1,200 full-time per hour
• $300 per hour

Military students  enrolled in the D.Min. Doctorate of Ministry: Pastoral Counseling program will be assessed $275 per credit hour for less than 7 credit hours or more than 15 credit hours, and a block rate of $1,925 for 7-15 credit hours. Non-military students in this program will be assessed regular Doctorate of Ministry (D.Min.) rates.

This Doctoral military rate only applies to the Education Doctoral (Ed.D. and Ed.S.) programs and the following Doctoral Certificate programs: Executive Certificate in Curriculum and Instruction, Executive Certificate in Higher Education Administration, Executive Certificate in School Administration and Supervision. Military students pursuing other doctorate programs will be charged the regular (part-time/full-time) doctorate tuition rates. Doctoral military students enrolled in Doctorate of Ministry: Pastoral Counseling will be assessed the $275 military rate for 1 to 6.99 credit hours, or over 15 credit hours. Students enrolled in this program for 7 to 15 credit hours will be assessed a military block rate of $1,925.

Military Graduate to Doctoral tuition – When students complete a graduate degree through Liberty – including the nested 21-hour advanced/executive certificates – and continue their studies into specific doctoral programs within 2 academic years of graduation, the students will receive a reduced tuition rate of just $300 per credit hour. The $300 tuition rate only applies to active service members, eligible veterans, and spouses who are new to an eligible doctoral program. DoD employees are not eligible for the discounted tuition rate at the doctoral level. Both Ed.S. and Ed.D. programs will retain a tuition rate of $275 per credit hour.

Beginning Spring 2022, students will pay a flat rate of $1,200 per credit hour, as opposed to separate part-time and full-time rates. Those who have begun coursework in the Fall 2021 term or earlier, will be grandfathered into the previous full-time/part-time tuition rate. If a student breaks enrollment or graduates, they will be updated to the new flat tuition rate when they re-enroll. Please note that the flat rate means that new students in these programs will not be eligible for the military discount.

Post-Graduate Programs

Part-time if taking 5 hours or less in a post-graduate program

Graduate Programs  5

• $615 part-time per hour
• $565 full-time per hour
• $395 part-time per hour (less than 9 credit hours)
• $2,750 full-time block rate (9-15 credit hours)
• $415 full-time 4  per hour
• $605 part-time per hour
• $605 full-time per hour
• $330 part-time and full-time per hour
• $275 part-time and full-time per hour

9-15 credit hours receives a block rate of $2,750. Less than 9 credit hours, or more than 15 credit hours will be assessed at the part-time rate of $395.

The B.S.N.-M.S.N. Dual Degree program is formatted in a way in which students enrolled specifically in this program will earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing concurrently.

This program will no longer be accepting new enrollees beginning in Fall 2018.

Applicable to School of Education programs only. Does not include School of Behavioral Sciences programs.

Part-time if taking 8 hours or less in a graduate program.

Rawlings School of Divinity Programs

• $395 part time (per hour) Less than 7 or more than 15 credit hours per hour
• $2,750 full time (block rate) 7-15 credit hours per semester
• $300 part time (per hour) Less than 7 or more than 15 credit hours per hour 3
• $2,700 full time (block rate) 7-15 credit hours per semester
• $395 part time (per hour) Less than 9 or more than 15 credit hours per hour
• $2,750 full time (block rate) 9–15 credit hours per semester
• $275 part time (per hour) Less than 9 or more than 15 credit hours per hour
• $2,475 full time (block rate) 9–15 credit hours per semester 

Masters of Theology (Th.M.) Post-Graduate programs will be assessed at the same rates as Graduate students in the Rawlings School of Divinity, which is $395 for less than 9 or more than 15 credit hours, and a block rate of $2,750 for 9-15 credit hours.

The Ed.D. in Christian Leadership (DECL-EDD-D) does not qualify for the School of Divinity block or part-time rates. Students in this program are charged the standard full-time and part-time rates for online Doctoral programs.

• Graduate Application Fee - $50 one time
• Doctoral Application Fee - $50 one time
• D.Min. students only - $20 one time
• Certificate Completion Application Fee - $50 one time
• M.A. Counseling Assessment Fee - $50 one time
• Withdrawal Fee - $50 per semester
• Portfolio Assessment per course - $100 one time
• Financial Check-In Late Fee - $ 150 per semester
• Returned Payment Fee - $35 per transaction
• Technology Fee - $349 per term
• Students’ direct costs for textbooks and online content fees could vary each year, depending on their program of study, program level, semesters of attendance, and varying materials needed for each course.

Institutional Challenge Exam (ICE):

• Administration Fee - $130

All Liberty University students are required to abide by the policies outlined in the catalog.

Certificate programs.

The tuition charge for each Certificate Program is the same as its corresponding Undergraduate and Graduate Degree tuition charge.

Financial Check-in (FCI)

Financial Check-In (FCI) is Liberty University’s online system that secures financial arrangements with the University for direct charges like tuition and fees, to include prior, current, and/or future balances. All students are required to complete FCI through ASIST each semester before attending a class or arriving on campus. Current deadlines, procedures, and payment options can be viewed on the  Student Financial Services webpage . Students who do not complete FCI by the published deadline will be subject to having their courses and housing (if applicable) dropped and will be assessed a late Financial Check-In fee of $150. FCI deadlines are given in Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Once a student completes FCI, all payments made prior to the beginning of the semester are held as a deposit to secure the student’s class schedule, institutional grants or scholarships, and housing, as applicable.

• First term residential students:  First complete FCI then register for classes.
• Returning residential students:  Register for courses during the open registration period then complete FCI.
• All online students:  Register for courses and then complete FCI.

Non-Attending or Non-Returning Students

If an online student decides not to attend and drops their course(s), they may request a refund of the initial payments (excluding payments covering non-refundable fees) by emailing  [email protected] .

If a new resident student decides not to attend and drops their course(s), they should contact the Admissions Office to request a refund of the initial payments (excluding payments covering non-refundable fees). If a current resident student decides not to return, the student’s Professional Advisor in the College of Applied Studies and Academic Success (CASAS) must be notified in writing with a request for a refund of the initial payments (excluding payments covering non-refundable fees)  prior to the last day of drop/add week.  This written request may be sent to  [email protected] . Without prior written notification, the student is subject to the conditions described in the official withdrawal policy (explained below).

Payments on Student Account

Payments on a student’s account can be made by check, ACH, money order, cashier’s check, credit/debit card, online via the student’s ASIST account, or through Liberty's International payment portal (for international students only). Liberty University cannot process payments from non-U.S. bank accounts, money markets, trusts, or home equity. Cash payments are received at Cashiering & Treasury Services located in the Student Service Center in Green Hall. Liberty accepts international payments through  Liberty's International Payment Portal  powered by Flywire.

By using Liberty's International payment portal, the student can:

• Execute, track, and confirm international payments online.
• Choose payment options from their home country.
• Access a 24/7 multilingual Customer Support Team.
• Save on bank fees and ensure the best exchange rates with Flywire’s  Best Price Guarantee .

A student’s account must be paid in full prior to registering for any future courses. When a student completes FCI for a future term and then becomes delinquent in the current term, if financial aid is removed or reduced on the account due to a change of eligibility, the resulting balance must be resolved prior to future registration. In this circumstance, the student should consult a Student Accounts Contact Center Agent to discuss payment options.

Monthly account statements are sent to current students who have an outstanding account balance via their Liberty email address.

Please visit the  Student Financial Services webpage  for current information on procedures, payment options, and schedules.

Payment Plans

The University may offer a student the option of paying remaining balances through a monthly payment plan as an alternative to paying in full. Payment plan options will vary depending upon when Financial Check-In is completed. Payment plans are interest-free and include a non-refundable $50 participation fee. The participation fee is factored into the student’s total balance and is charged for each semester that a student participates in a payment plan. Special payment plans with varying fees may be offered to students with delinquent balances.

Payment plans are scheduled with automatic monthly drafts. The initial payment is due immediately upon acceptance of the payment plan and the remaining installments are automatically processed on the scheduled draft date from the established checking account or debit/credit card.

It is the responsibility of the student to maintain current and valid bank or credit card information on their account. Under the payment plan agreement, the student must ensure that the account has sufficient funds at the time of the scheduled drafts. When using a debit/credit card, the student must check with the bank or credit card company that the daily spending limit can accommodate the draft amount. The bank or credit card account must be from an institution that participates in automatic draft programs.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all financial aid estimates are reflected correctly prior to the processing of the first draft. If charges or payments are added, removed, or adjusted after the payment plan is in place which result in an increase or decrease in the remaining balance, it is the responsibility of the student to review and make any adjustments to the payment plan. Any payment(s) made outside of the payment plan will not prevent the next scheduled draft from being processed. The student may confirm any changes by recompleting FCI. The system will calculate and display new draft amounts in FCI, and once completed, the FCI receipt page will display the updated draft amount(s). If the student fails to recomplete FCI to confirm the adjusted drafts, the previously confirmed draft amount(s) will be processed, and the student is responsible for paying any remaining balance.

While it remains the responsibility of the student to manage adjustments to the payment plan, Liberty University reserves the right to adjust a payment plan down as necessary. The University also reserves the right to cancel/terminate a payment plan for any reason and/or remove a student from a financially checked-in status. The student may also be removed from classes, have services suspended, and/or have curriculum access blocked.

Failed Payment Processing Fee

A student will be charged a non-refundable failed payment processing fee for each returned or declined payment made via check, ACH, debit card automatic draft, and credit card automatic draft. If a student accumulates three or more returned or declined payments within a year, the student:

• May be ineligible to participate in payment plans.
• May not be able to make online payments or automated monthly draft payments via ACH.

Check Cashing

As a courtesy to currently enrolled students, the Cashiering & Treasury Services Office will cash checks from parents, the student’s personal checking account, or a Liberty University payroll check.

The maximum amount that may be cashed is $50 per week, and a $1 fee will be assessed for each cashed check. If a check is returned or declined for any reason, the student’s account will be charged the check amount as well as a returned payment fee. The student may lose the privilege of cashing checks with Liberty University after two offenses. 

Online Class Attendance

Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the length of any courses the student is taking. Online students who do not attend within the first week of a course by submitting an academic assignment (such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, a written paper or project, a discussion board post, or other academic assignments) will be dropped from the course roster and will not be allowed to submit further course work. The student may appeal to their instructor to remain in the course.

The student is solely responsible for any course work missed due to non-attendance. A student who presents the instructor with an adequate and documented reason for absence may be given an opportunity to make up the work missed.

Students who attend a course by submitting an academic assignment and then eventually cease progressing toward the completion of the course will be assigned a grade of FN (Failure for Non-Attendance) during the semester.

Technology Fee

To provide students with the best online platform tutoring services, software, IT Helpdesk Support, and updates, a technology fee will be assessed every semester of enrollment.

Beginning with the Fall 2023 semester, the Technology Fee will not be waived for new active military students. Returning students who were receiving the waiver will continue to do so, as long as they are meeting all other eligibility requirements.

Housing Fee

An eligible student living in University housing is required to pay the applicable housing fee each semester depending on location and amenities as outlined in the housing policy .

If a student moves into the residence hall, and then withdraws or is allowed to move off campus at any point during the academic year, a portion of the housing fee may be prorated back to the student’s account based on the date that the student removes items from the residence hall (see regulations in the Student Affairs section of this publication).

In the Spring semester, if a student does not remove items from the previous semester and withdraws, the student may be charged a prorated amount of the housing fee based on the date of removal of items.

The student must check with the Office of Residence Life if they are considering moving off campus or withdrawing prior to the end of the academic year after completing FCI.

Any student living in University housing is also required to pay the applicable dining fees each semester. The fee covers the selected resident dining plan in the University dining hall and other dining locations on campus. This requirement allows students to focus on academics and extracurricular activities rather than on basic needs such as food and shelter. The required dining plan for students living in University housing promotes healthy living, social engagement, and the residential community experience.

If a student moves into the residence hall, and then withdraws or is allowed to move off campus during the academic year, a portion of the dining fee may be prorated based on the date that the student removes items from the residence hall and/or the last date that their meal plan was used.

Books and Supplies

Tuition and fees may not cover the cost of all course materials. Costs will vary according to the student’s course of study. The student should purchase any materials that are not covered after registration but prior to the sub-term start date (course activation). Liberty does not guarantee that required course materials will be available after the sub-term start date.

Resident Students:  Resident students using financial aid or payment plans can pay for books and supplies by requesting a book voucher advance for use at the on-campus bookstore. To estimate the amount needed for the book voucher, contact the  Liberty University Campus Bookstore . Students can add funds to a book voucher through Financial Check-In. Any amount added to the voucher that is not covered by the student’s credit (if applicable) must be paid out of pocket.  Book Vouchers for resident students may only be used at the Liberty University Campus Bookstore.

The following funds may be used by resident students when purchasing textbooks:

• Book Vouchers:  students can opt to have funds transferred to the bookstore as a book voucher through FCI.
• Flames Cash:  funds can be applied to a Flames Cash Account and used at the University bookstore as well as other approved participating merchants. Current information can be accessed on the  Flames Cash webpage.

Online Graduate Students:  Any online course materials are only available through BNC Virtual . Online graduate students using financial aid or payment plans can pay for books and supplies by requesting a book voucher advance for use at BNC Virtual. To estimate the amount needed for the book voucher, students should contact BNC Virtual. Students can add funds to a book voucher through FCI, which is transferred to BNC Virtual for the student to use. Any amount added to the voucher that is not covered by the student’s credit (if applicable) must be paid out of pocket.

Any online student taking a  Resident or Intensive  course may need to purchase their books and supplies through the Liberty University Campus Bookstore.

Personal Needs

Laundry, cleaning, spending money, items related to personal grooming, towels, sheets, pillows, off-campus transportation, etc., vary by individual and are the student’s responsibility.

Course, Online Content, Material, and Inclusive Access Fees

The student is responsible for paying applicable course fees, online content fees (including e-Books), material fees, inclusive access fees, and fees charged for special elective-type courses by organizations other than the University. A list of these fees is published on the Student Financial Services  Course Fees webpage . Fees are non-refundable unless stated otherwise.

The inclusive access fee includes electronic access to required course content and direct access to Canvas at any time and on any device. If applicable, the fee may cover the cost of printed course materials for Online courses. The fee is required and is non-refundable.

The Inclusive Access Fee will be charged and subsequently waived for students taking eligible online Graduate and Doctoral courses in the School of Divinity .

Activity Fee

All resident students are required to pay an activity fee each semester (Fall and Spring). This fee provides access to Liberty University activities, admission to athletic events, access to the LaHaye Student Union recreational facilities, and helps to offset the cost of other resources dedicated to student activities. Regardless of residence status, all students are subject to this fee. This fee is not pro-rated for part-time students.

All residential students are required to pay a health fee each semester (Fall and Spring). Services covered by the health fee can be reviewed on the LU Student Health webpage . This fee is not prorated for part-time students.

Liberty University requires students to be immunized according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines before classes begin each semester. Students who do not submit documentation of immunizations and medical history will have a health records late fee added to their student account.

International Health Insurance

For information about this fee, please visit the International Student Center's Health Insurance webpage.

Rawlings School of Divinity Activity Fee

All School of Divinity students are required to pay the School of Divinity Activity Fee each semester to help offset the cost of the School of Divinity’s Student Government and social events sponsored on behalf of School of Divinity students. Regardless of residence status, all School of Divinity students are subject to this fee. This fee is not pro-rated for part-time students.  The School of Divinity Activity Fee does not apply to online students.

School of Law Activity Fee

All Law School students are required to pay the Law School Activity Fee each semester to help offset the cost of the Law School’s Student Government and social events sponsored on behalf of law students. Regardless of residence status, all students are subject to this fee. This fee is not pro-rated for part-time students.

Degree Completion Application Fee

All graduating students must complete a degree completion application through their ASIST account. A $100 degree completion application fee is automatically assessed when the application is processed, not upon degree conferral. This non-refundable fee is not contingent on the student’s attendance at graduation events or activities.

Certificate Completion Application Fee

A certificate completion application fee is automatically assessed by the Registrar’s Office near the time of the Certificate Completion Application, not certificate conferral. This is a non-refundable fee.

Flames Pass

The Flames Pass is the official Liberty University ID card. The card can be used for meal plans, Flames Cash, campus events and recreation, authorized building entry, student discounts, and other activities and services. Once Financial Check-In (FCI) is completed, the student may obtain a Flames Pass by submitting a photo online or visiting the ID & Campus Services Office. In the event a physical Flames Pass is lost or damaged, the student will incur a $25 replacement fee.

Flames Cash

Bankmobile disbursements.

BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc., is the University’s refund management third-party servicer that disburses refunds, per diems, and stipends for the University. For more information about BankMobile Disbursements, visit their website .

Additional Information

Additional information about the Flames Pass, Flames Cash, and BankMobile Disbursements can be found on the Flames Pass webpage .

Withdrawal Fee

A $50 fee will be charged for the processing of an official, unofficial, or administrative withdrawal, or ceasing attendance from the University.

Fee Appeal Policy

Students may appeal a late Financial Check-In (FCI) Fee, returned payment fee, or activity fee (the appeal of an activity fee is only applicable to resident students) by submitting a written appeal online to the Student Accounts Office within 30 business days of the billing/notification. The student may fill out the fee appeal form  and must attach all supporting documentation. The student will receive a response within 7 days of receipt of the appeal.

If a student would like to appeal any other charge, they may submit a written appeal to the department that assessed the charge.

Students repeating flight courses may request to have their applicable flight fees waived in some circumstances. Contact the School of Aeronautics for more information.

Refund Policy for Enrolled Students

Enrolled qualified students can receive a refund from their student account once all financial obligations have been met if a credit balance remains.

FCI provides students with two credit-management options:

• By Selecting "Don't send me a refund," a student authorizes Liberty University to hold a Title IV credit balance for a future term.
• By Selecting "Send me a refund," a student authorizes Liberty University to release a Title IV refund to the student (in all cases except Parent PLUS loan refunds).

Credit from Title IV must be refunded via a student's selected refund preference. At the end of each academic year, all Title IV (Federal Grants and Federal Loans) credit balances must be refunded or returned to the U.S. Department of Education in the case of federal student loans. Credit balances will ONLY be refunded to the student.

• Refunds will be released by the University and then disbursed by BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. The student must select a refund preference according to instructions provided from BankMobile Disbursements. For more information about BankMobile Disbursements,  visit their website .

Title IV Refunds

(Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan, Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, etc.)

Within the FCI process, students authorize the handling of a credit balance on their student account. The funds may be held throughout the academic year and apply to account balances, or students can authorize the credit balance to be refunded. Please note that certain finance charges cannot be paid for by Title IV aid, and students with these charges may be required to pay for them using an alternative method.

Liberty University encourages students to only borrow the minimum amount of loans needed to cover direct charges. Students who wish to reduce their loans to eliminate a credit balance to refund may do so by completing a Federal Direct Student Loan Change Request Form in their ASIST accounts.

Title IV aid, in addition to institutional and State aid, is disbursed 21 days after the student becomes eligible. Title IV refunds begin processing on day 25, but all are processed within 14 days from when aid is disbursed in accordance with federal regulations.

For more information about disbursements, visit the Student Financial Services homepage under the Disbursement Process link for more information.

Refunds Unrelated to Title IV Aid

For credit balances not derived from federal aid, the student may submit a refund request to the Student Accounts Office. A refund from credit or debit card payments will be refunded back to the original payment card. Written requests must be sent to:

• Resident Students: [email protected]
• Online Students: [email protected]

Official Withdrawal Policy for Resident Students

Liberty University is committed to the success of every student and will work with each student to determine the best way to handle any financial and/or academic challenges. Withdrawals from Liberty University fall under different categories: academic, administrative, medical, or personal. To begin an official withdrawal from Liberty University the student  must  stop by, in person, to meet with their Professional Advisor in CASAS.

Please note:  Resident students who must withdraw due to military deployment are required to meet with their Professional Advisor in CASAS with a copy of their orders. They will then be referred to the Office of Military Affairs.

• Withdrawing from individual courses while maintaining enrollment in others, does not constitute a total withdrawal.
• Students requesting to withdraw from courses during the semester must submit a  Withdrawal Form  to the Registrar. Generally, the withdrawal date will be the date the student submitted the form to the Registrar.
• No refund will be issued for resident students withdrawing from individual courses, and all billing hours will remain on the student’s account.
• Please note: For Residential students, tuition proration will not be completed unless withdrawing from all courses .
• A resident student who withdraws from an on-campus intensive or summer course will be assigned a grade of “W” for that class and will be responsible for all tuition and fees. If the student withdraws due to documented medical reasons, a proration of fees may be granted. For more information, please visit the Registrar's withdrawal webpage .

Unofficial Withdrawal

The University has established a procedure, in accordance with Title IV regulations, to determine if students enrolled in the courses are progressing toward the completion of their courses. The Title IV regulations require universities to have a mechanism in place for determining whether a student who began a course and received or could have received a disbursement of Title IV funds, unofficially withdrew.

Students who have begun and cease to submit any academic assignments (such as an examination, written paper or project, discussion board post, or other academic event) during the enrollment period, will be assigned grades of FN. Students receiving all FN’s in a semester will be processed as an unofficial withdrawal. The withdrawal date is the last date an academic assignment was submitted during the enrollment period. A Title IV withdrawal calculation may be performed, and the student may be reported as withdrawn. Students will be notified by the Financial Aid Office regarding the results of the Title IV withdrawal calculation. The student will be responsible for any remaining account balance.

Medical Withdrawal Policy

This applies to  resident students  only and only for medical conditions documented by a licensed physician. Tuition, housing (if applicable), and some fees may be prorated according to the date of withdrawal. The student is responsible for 100% of non-refundable fees.

Official Withdrawal Policy for Online Students

Liberty University is committed to the success of every student and will work with each student to determine the best way to handle any financial and/or academic challenges. The online withdrawal categories are administrative, military, official, and unofficial.

Administrative Withdrawal

An expulsion resulting from violation of the disciplinary system, or any other valid reason initiated by the University which is approved by an authorized University administrator will result in an administrative withdrawal. Grades of “W” will be recorded in all courses for which the student is registered.

Military Withdrawal

Online students who must withdraw due to military duties are required to send a copy of their orders and other supporting documentation to the Military Affairs Office. Military Affairs will then conduct a review to determine if the student is eligible for an official military withdrawal. Additional information regarding military withdrawals can be found on the  Military Withdrawals webpage.

Official Withdrawal

Online students  who desire to withdraw from one or more courses in a semester, or the University, must contact the Liberty University Online Academic Advising Department by phone or via their Liberty University webmail account to start the withdrawal process.

A total withdrawal is when a student ceases all active enrollment in a semester. A partial withdrawal is when a student withdraws from the individual course(s) but has active enrollment remaining in the semester of the withdrawal.

If a student withdraws from a sub-term and is registered for course(s) in the future sub-term(s) during the semester of the withdrawal, the student must submit a  letter of intent  to remain in the future courses. If a letter of intent is not submitted with the withdrawal, the student will be automatically dropped from the future sub-terms, resulting in a total withdrawal from the semester.

The University has established a procedure in accordance with Title IV regulations, to determine if students enrolled in online courses are progressing toward the completion of their courses. The Title IV regulations require universities to have a mechanism in place for determining whether a student who begins a course and received or could have received a disbursement of Title IV funds, unofficially withdrew.

Students who have begun, yet cease to submit academic assignments (such as an examination, written paper or project, discussion board post, or other academic assignments) during the enrollment period, will be assigned the grade of FN. If a student receives the grade of FN for all courses in a semester and ceases attendance, an unofficial withdrawal will be processed for that semester. The withdrawal date is the last date an academic assignment was submitted during the enrollment period. A Title IV withdrawal calculation will be performed based on the withdrawal date and the student will be reported as withdrawn. Students will be notified by the Financial Aid Office regarding the results of the Title IV withdrawal calculation.

Withdrawal Refund Policy

Resident students  are considered withdrawn from the University if they withdraw from all courses for the semester.

• 100% will be credited if a student withdraws during the first week of the semester.
• 50% will be credited if a student withdraws during the second, third or fourth week of the semester.
• 25% will be credited if a student withdraws during the fifth through eighth week of the semester.
• No tuition or fees will be credited after the eighth week of the semester.
• The dining plan charge may be prorated based on the date of the withdrawal. Any Dining Dollars or Flames Cash allocated to the dining plan will not be refunded.
• Commuter meal plans are non-refundable and will not be prorated.
• If a student moves into the residence hall, and then withdraws or is allowed to move off campus at any point during the academic year, a portion of the housing fee may be prorated back to the student’s account based on the date that the student removes all items from the residence hall (see regulations in the Student Affairs section of this publication). 
• In the Spring semester, if a student does not remove items from the previous semester and withdraws, the student will be charged a prorated amount of the housing fee based on the date of removal of all items.

Students must check with the Office of Residence Life if considering moving off campus or withdrawing prior to the end of the academic year after completing FCI.

School of Law students:  If a student withdraws from all courses from the School of Law during the semester, they will receive a refund of tuition and some fees as follows:

• 100% before the close of the first week of classes
• 50% after the start of the second week and before the close of the fourth week of classes
• 25% after the start of the fifth week and before the close of the seventh week of classes
• No refunds will be issued for withdrawal after the start of the eighth week of classes

There is a $50 processing fee for withdrawing from the School of Law.

Students must  contact LUPD  regarding parking registration refunds. No portion of the Barbri fee will be refunded for any withdrawal occurring after the close of the first week of courses.

Withdrawal will result in the proration of all loans and scholarships based on the total number of days of attendance. Please be aware that having enough financial aid to cover charges at the beginning of the semester does not ensure that financial aid will completely cover charges at the time of withdrawal.

College of Osteopathic Medicine students  should review their  withdrawal refund policy .

Online students:  Once a withdrawal is processed, the student will need to contact Student Accounts to receive further details about their individual refund.

Students who unofficially withdraw as outlined in the Withdrawal Policy will be charged for full tuition and fees as it applies and will be responsible for any outstanding balance on his or her account.

Any student who completes the official withdrawal procedure may receive a refund of tuition according to the schedule below. In the event of a total withdrawal, some fees may be prorated.

Eight-Week Courses

• 100% tuition will be credited if the student withdraws within the first week of the course but before submission of the first assignment (first assignment includes the Course Requirements Checklist). The student's request will be processed as a drop for the purpose of refunding charges only, not for Financial Aid attendance or recalculating of aid.
• 75% tuition will be credited if the student withdraws after submitting their first assignment and through the close of the second week of courses.
• 50% tuition will be credited if the student withdraws after the second week of classes, but before the close of the fourth week of courses.
• 25% tuition will be credited if the student withdraws after the fourth week of classes, but before the close of the sixth week of courses.
• No tuition will be credited after the sixth week of courses.

Fifteen-Week and Sixteen-Week Courses

• 100% tuition will be credited if the student withdraws within the first week of the course, but before submission of the first assignment (first assignment includes Course Requirements Checklist). The student's request will be processed as a drop for the purpose of refunding charges only, not for Financial Aid attendance or recalculating of aid.
• 75% tuition will be credited if the student withdraws after submitting the first assignment and through the close of the fourth week of courses.
• 50% tuition will be credited if the student withdraws after the fourth week of classes, but before the close of the eighth week of courses.
• 25% tuition will be credited if the student withdraws after the eighth week of classes, but before the close of the twelfth week of courses.
• No tuition will be credited after the twelfth week of courses.

Seventeen-Week Courses

• 75% tuition will be credited if the student withdraws after submitting the first assignment and through the end of the fifth week of courses.
• 50% tuition will be credited if the student withdraws after the fifth week of courses, but before the end of the ninth week of courses.
• 25% tuition will be credited if the student withdraws after the ninth week of courses, but before the end of the thirteenth week of courses.
• No tuition will be credited after the thirteenth week of courses.

Intensives:  The start of the course is defined as the first day that the course begins; it is not necessarily the first day of the in-class portion of the intensive. Some intensive courses require pre-work and/or post-work to be completed. These courses start as soon as the pre-work begins and continue until the last day to submit post-work. Any student who completes the official withdrawal procedure may receive a refund of tuition according to the schedule below.  In the event of a total withdrawal, some fees may be prorated. For refund purposes, a week begins at 12:00 a.m. the morning the course starts and closes at 11:59 p.m. seven days later.

• 100% - Start of course to close of the first day 
•    50% - Start of course to close of the second day
•    25% - Start of course to close of the third day
•      0% - After the close of the third day, the student is liable for all tuition.
• 100% - Start of course to close of the first day
•    50% - Start of course to close of the third day
•    25% - Start of course to close of the fifth day
•      0% - After the close of the fifth day, the student is liable for all tuition.
•    50% - Start of course to close of the fourth day
•    25% - Start of course to close of the eighth day
•      0% - After the close of the eighth day, the student is liable for all tuition.
• 50% - Start of course to close of the fifth day
• 25% - Start of course to close of the tenth day
• 0% - After the close of the tenth day, the student is liable for all tuition.
• 100% - Start of course to close of the first week, but before submission of the first assignment (first assignment includes Course Requirements Checklist). The student’s request will be processed as a drop for the purpose of refunding charges only, not for Financial Aid attendance or recalculating of aid.
• 75% - Submission of the first assignment through the close of the first quarter (1/4 of the course length).
• 50% - After the close of the first quarter (1/4), but before the close of the second quarter (1/2 of the course length).
• 25% - After the close of the second quarter (1/2), but before the close of the third quarter (3/4 of the course length).
• 0% - After the close of the third quarter (3/4), the student is liable for all tuition.

Unpaid Accounts

Tuition, the housing fee (if applicable), and all other costs on a student’s account are payable prior to or at the time of FCI. Students who do not make payment on their account within a reasonable amount of time may be denied access to some University services until such arrangements are made. If a student is 10 or more days delinquent on his account, the student may be removed from classes. Failure to make financial arrangements could ultimately result in removal from university housing and an administrative withdrawal.

Students with unpaid accounts may be restricted from registering for subsequent terms.

Additional information regarding the University’s academic and administrative policies and procedures can be found on the  University website the  Liberty University Online webpage  or the  Graduate School webpage.

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