Credit Overloads

On this page:

• Maximum credit limit
• Credit overload eligibility
• Credit overload process
• Who to contact

Maximum credit limit

LSA generally recommends aiming for about 15 credits per term (or 30 per year) to stay on track for graduation. To learn why, see Credit Load.

To support student success and personal well-being, LSA sets a term maximum credit limit of:

• 18 credits per Fall or Winter term 
• 9 credit hours per Spring and Summer half terms

However, LSA offers a process for approving credit overload exceptions in cases where an increased credit load is academically necessary.

• Students may petition to enroll in up to 21 credit hours in a single term or 11 credits in a half term.
• Exceptions for more than 21 credit hours will be considered only for graduating seniors in their final term, when they are required to complete degree requirements.

Note:  Credit overloads will result in additional tuition charges. Students should consult the Registrar’s Tuition and Fees schedule or call the Registrar's Office at 734-615-1572.

LSA recommends students carefully evaluate the time commitment required for an overload and the potential impact on academic performance and overall well-being.

Credit overload eligibility

To be considered for a credit overload, a student must:

• Be enrolled as an undergraduate student in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.
• Be in good academic standing (not on academic progress notice).
• Have successfully completed 15 or more credit hours in a previous term with strong grades.
• Have completed at least 1 full term at U-M.

Credit overload process

• Submit the LSA Credit Overload Request Form. 
• Include:
  • The term for the overload
  • The number of total credits requested
  • A rationale for the overload (explain why it's academically necessary)
• The Office of Student Academic Affairs sends decisions to students within 5 university business days. 

Please note:

• Approval is not guaranteed, even if students meet eligibility criteria.
• Overload requests are typically approved only when they are necessary for academic progression, for example, for students to meet graduation requirements, fulfill prerequisites, or complete required courses offered only in a specific term.

Who to contact

• LSA Student Records: lsa.student.records@umich.edu

Related policies

• Credit Load
• Registration