Definitions
Credit Hour
A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended student learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fourteen weeks for one semester, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time, or the equivalent amount of work for other activities as established by the University including but not limited to graduate work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading toward the awarding of credit hours.
Credit Load
Credit load is the total amount of credits a student is enrolled in at a given time in a term, for example, after initial registration or at the end of a semester. All credits, regardless of grading status, count toward credit load for certain purposes.
- Maximum Credit Load- A student in good standing may register for a maximum of 15 credits during any regular session of fall, spring semester and may register for a maximum of six credits in the January Interim semester, no exceptions. In summer there is no credit plateau for graduate students, a student is still limited to a maximum of 15 graduate credits in summer and pays tuition/fees per each credit of enrollment.
- A student who wants to enroll in more than 15 credits in fall, spring or summer must obtain written approval in advance from their faculty or academic adviser, using the credit overload petition before the first day of classes. Once approved, course(s) enrollment can be completed. Additional tuition and fees will apply. No overload petitions are accepted for the January semester.
- Minimum Credit Load- A specific minimum number of credits (excluding audit credits) that a student must carry to be eligible for certain programs and benefits for financial aid or veteran’s benefits.
Educational Status
A degree-seeking student is enrolled in a program of study and plans to earn a Master of Science degree at the graduate level. A special student is not seeking a degree, but taking courses. Status impacts the admissions process and financial aid eligibility.
Enrollment Status (full time, part time)
Enrollment status is based on number of credits enrolled. Status impacts financial aid eligibility and tuition/fees.
Graduate level: full time = 9 credits; part time = 5 credits; less than part time = 1-4 credits.
Graduate Credits
Graduate credits are those credits which are taken under a graduate course number (500-level or above) by a student enrolled with a graduate classification.
Graduate Record
A graduate record is the permanent record of all graduate-level credits attempted and grades earned, including courses which may be in progress or incomplete (I grade).
Provisional Admission
A provisional admission is a conditional graduate admission status that is subject to review after nine graduate credits have been attempted at UW-Green Bay.
Student
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay defines a student as any individual who is currently enrolled, or was enrolled, in a credit bearing course at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Undergraduate Record
An undergraduate record is a separate permanent record of any undergraduate courses taken; a complete transcript includes copies of both the graduate and undergraduate records compiled at UW-Green Bay.
