Normal & Maximum Study Loads

Sixteen credit hours per semester is considered making normal progress toward the degree although that is an average and the semester load will vary depending on the sequencing of courses in the curriculum. A maximum load is defined as 18 credit hours. Students with high cumulative averages may on occasion be permitted to register for more than 18 hours, but only with the approval of one of the A & A Deans in the FAA Office of Student Affairs. If an overload is taken, subsequent reduction of the load must be executed before the deadline to drop courses.

Academic Progress

Curricula in the College of Fine and Applied Arts are designed so that the average student can expect to graduate in four academic years or eight semesters. Students who have changed academic programs may require one or two additional semesters. University of Illinois students are usually allowed a maximum of ten total semesters to complete one undergraduate degree. Students who fail to make satisfactory progress toward a degree may be dropped from their college.

The expected academic load for a student is sixteen credit hours. The College of Fine and Applied Arts requires that each degree-seeking student carry a minimum load of at least 12 credit hours each semester. If a student is recovering from an extended illness, or has some other extenuating hardship, it may be advisable for the student to take a reduced load. Permission to take a reduced load, regardless of the circumstances, requires approval, for every semester requested, by one of the A & A Deans in the College Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. The student may be required to present supporting documentation.

If a student’s academic load drops below 12 credit hours, any or all of the following may be at risk: academic visas, athletic eligibility, health insurance, university housing, and financial aid. Each student is personally responsible for determining the impact of their reduced academic load before they petition the College.

A senior student in the final semester who lacks only a few hours toward graduation may enroll for less than 12 hours of credit if he or she has obtained prior approval from one of the A & A Deans. Seniors who are eligible should consider the possibility of taking graduate courses for graduate credit during their final undergraduate semester.

Probation

Probationary status serves as a warning to students that unless their scholarship improves, they are subject to the drop rules. A student on probation may not register for less than 12 hours nor more than 18 hours in any semester without permission from one of the Deans. Probation and drop rules are based on:

1. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign semester average
2. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign cumulative average
3. Minimum semester and cumulative averages for the curriculum of the student

The following regulation shall be used to determine a student's probationary status:

Beginning Freshmen (less than 12 hours completed at time of admission)

• RULE 3-110 Probation and Drop Rules - Undergraduate Students

Continuation at Sophmore & Junior Levels

1. Students in any teacher education curriculum must have the minimum academic average required for advanced study by the Urbana Council on Teacher Education.
   (See the Programs of Study catalog, Urbana Council on Teacher Education section.)
2. Certain curricula require minimum grade-point averages in excess of the 2.0 University minimum. Refer to the Programs of Study catalog or the Degree Requirements page or consult the department or the College office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs for requirements.