Maximum Load

Maximum Load Guidelines

Summer Term

  • For Sessions I and I-A or I-B combined, or Sessions II and II-C or II-D combined:
    • Undergraduate students may register for up to eight credits maximum.
    • Graduate students may register for up to 24 graduate units maximum.
  • For Sessions I-A, I-B, II-C or II-D:
    • Undergraduate students may register for up to four credits maximum.
    • Graduate students may register for up to 12 graduate units maximum.

Winter Term

  • Undergraduate Students: May register for up to four credits maximum.
  • Graduate Students: May register for up to 12 graduate units maximum.

Note on Graduate Units

Graduate units are different from credit hours and are calculated in the following manner:

  • Courses in the series 000-399: carry two units per credit hour
  • Courses in the series 400-499: carry four units per credit hour
  • Courses in the series 500-599: carry five units per credit hour
  • Courses in the series 600-897: carry six units per credit hour

Current University of Maryland Students

  • Course loads exceeding these maximums require prior approval of the college dean. You will need to contact your college advising office to obtain approval. Your college will assist you with registration.
  • Please note that if granted approval, you are academically and financially responsible for this course overload. The University will not consider granting exceptions to academic and refund policy resulting from an inability to manage this workload.

Visiting Undergraduate Students

Course loads exceeding these maximums for visiting students require:

  • A statement to oes@umd.edu detailing the request, including a full list of requested courses and sections, full name, and permanent mailing address. The statement must also include an acknowledgment that you are aware of the associated workload and that you are academically and financially responsible for this course overload. The University will not consider granting exceptions to academic and refund policy resulting from an inability to manage this workload.
  • A statement from your home institutions’ academic advisor to oes@umd.edu stating that you are in good academic standing and should be allowed to register for above the credit limit. The statement must include your full name and permanent mailing address.
  • Registration will not be permitted until both statements are received.

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