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On [DATE], American Public University System combined with Rasmussen University and Hondros College of Nursing to form a single higher education institution. American Public University System (System) now includes American Public University, American Military University, Rasmussen University, and Hondros College of Nursing. The System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (APEI). We are continuing to update our website to reflect our new structure.

 
Welcome to the AMU Help Center

Course Load Guidelines — How Many Courses Should You Take?

Only you can know the amount of coursework you can fit into your daily schedule. Determining how many courses to take in a semester could be based on many factors, including: work and family responsibilities; deployments; planned vacations; expenses; prior commitments, and social engagements. In general, we make the following recommendations.

Undergraduate Students

  • 12 credit hours in a 16-week semester is considered the minimum full-time course load. 
  • For 8-week courses: 2 courses the first 8 weeks and 2 more the second 8 weeks is the recommended full-time schedule.
  • During an average week, expect to spend 9 to 10 hours completing coursework for each 16-week course, or 15 to 18 hours per week for each 8-week course.
  • It is recommended that new students begin with just one course at a time.

Graduate Students

  • 6 credit hours per 16-week semester is considered full time.
  • During an average week, expect to spend 10 to 15 hours completing coursework for each 16-week course, or 18 to 22 hours per week for each 8-week course.
  • It is recommended that new graduate students begin with just one course at a time.

Course Overload Limitations

Taking more than 15 undergraduate credit hours or 12 graduate-level credit hours at the same time in a 16-week semester is considered a course overload. To do this, you must obtain permission from the Registrar's office and meet these requirements:

  • You must have completed at least 30 undergraduate credit hours or 9 graduate-level credit hours.
  • You must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or graduate GPA of 3.5.
  • You cannot have any current courses on extension.

Generally, no course overload greater than 19 undergraduate credit hours or 15 graduate-level credit hours will be approved.

Full-Time Status

Depending on how you pay for school, you may be required to take a minimum amount of credits per semester. Read Student Status by Credit Hours for FSA or VA Educational Benefits Definition of Full-Time Status, or view the Student Handbook to understand the definition of full-time status when paying for school using Veterans Benefits or Federal Student Aid.