Faculty Handbook

Minimum credits for your program

When you develop your budget, you and your college will establish the minimum number of credits in which all students enroll. All students participating in your program will be required to enroll in and maintain enrollment for the duration of the program in this minimum number of academic credits. The number of credits will differ from program to program, and will be specified in the individual program information sheets and on the Web. Students MUST enroll in the minimum number of credits for financial, pedagogical, and equity reasons.

The only exceptions to this policy are reduced course loads for graduating seniors (those studying abroad during their FINAL semester) and graduate students, who are participating in short-term programs requiring enrollment in more than three (3) credits.  These students must take at least one of the regularly-offered program courses. If your program offers variable credits, students must take the course for no less than three (3) credits.  Students participating in programs requiring enrollment in 3 or fewer credits are NOT eligible for a reduced course load, and must enroll in, at least, the minimum number of credits.  Please support this policy, especially when students come to you requesting a reduced course load. If students have difficulty enrolling, refer them to OSA so it can be determined whether this is a course or individual problem.
 
If, by coincidence, you have a significant number of graduating seniors and/or graduate students on your program, you need to consider the impact on your instructional budget.  Even though you may have the minimum number of students, you will want to ensure that you have the minimum number of credits. If graduate students wish to conduct dissertation research, they are welcome to do so for extra credits above the minimum number of credits for your program.  University policy does not allow off campus sections of dissertation research, so these credits cannot be considered part of your budget or program.

If undergraduate students have difficulty enrolling, refer them to OSA so it can be determined whether this is a course or individual problem.

If students are doing directed study abroad (such as MSU independent study credits with the guidance of on-campus faculty), they are welcome to do so for extra credits above the minimum number of credits for your program.

The minimum number of credits also impacts the budget and college surplus. Because reduced enrollment translates into reduced college surplus, your college must approve any exceptions (other than graduate students and graduating seniors).  About one month prior to departure, OSA will check the number of credits, but not the actual courses, that all students are taking.   You may request your program course enrollment list at any time from your OSA Program Coordinator. Students who do not enroll in and maintain enrollment in the minimum number of credits indicated on the program information sheet will be charged an additional program fee.  The Study Abroad Deans’ Designees approved this policy and procedure in summer 2003.