An ACES degree reflects the successful completion of a thoughtfully designed and academically rigorous program of study. To make timely progress toward degree completion, students are expected to maintain full-time enrollment.
Students who plan to complete their degree within eight semesters should enroll in an average of 15 credit hours per semester. The minimum course load for full-time status is 12 credit hours.
Students should be aware that the registration system does not automatically prevent course drops that would reduce enrollment below full-time status. It is the student's responsibility to understand and follow the procedures outlined in the Course Underloads section before reducing their course load below 12 credit hours.
Also note:
- Students who drop below 12 hours without the prior approval of the college may lose the privilege of further enrollment.
- International students are required to consult International Student and Scholar Services before initiating any change in their course schedule.
- Students on academic warning are required to meet academic performance standards gauged on a 12-credit-hour load.
Course Overloads (over 18 hours)
Students may carry as many as 18 hours without special permission. Approval for programs of more than 18 hours (overload) must be obtained from the college. Overload permissions are generally granted in the registration system about a month before classes begin.
Course Underloads (under 12 hours)
The minimum course load required for full-time status at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is 12 hours. The College of ACES allows a student to pursue an underload (“part-time”) once during the student’s undergraduate academic career. Most often, this would be in a student’s graduating semester if all degree requirements will be completed at the end of that semester. Underloads may also be approved due to extraordinary circumstances such as documented illness or via accommodations approved by the Disability Resources & Educational Services. For all situations, students must receive approval from their academic advisor.
International students must consult the International Student & Scholar Services prior to pursuing an underload. Athletes must consult the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. In addition, students on academic warning status are generally NOT approved to pursue underloads.
Independent Study
A maximum of 12 credit hours of independent study credit, including internship, research, and other individually supervised learning experiences, may be counted toward graduation requirements in the College of ACES.
Graduate Level Credit
Some courses at the 400-level may be taken for graduate school credit. To receive graduate credit as an undergraduate student requires the permission of the Graduate College. Courses taken as graduate credits do not apply toward the undergraduate semester hours required for graduation for a Bachelor’s degree. The Graduate College rather than ACES gives ultimate approval for graduate credit by undergraduate students.
Music Ensemble Courses
The College of ACES will accept a maximum of eight (8) hours of music ensemble courses as free electives applied to total hours required for graduation. The courses MUSC 487, MUSC 488, and MUSC 489 are performance music ensembles. These courses will not count as 400-level advanced coursework for purposes of degree completion.
Ten Semester Limit on Enrollment
Each student is assigned an Expected Graduation Date, which represents the final semester in which they are eligible to register. Students in ACES are ordinarily limited to 10 semesters of enrollment eligibility to complete their degree. These 10 semesters include enrollment at all post-secondary institutions attended, not solely the University of Illinois. Students who complete their degree requirements in fewer than eight semesters and do not apply for graduation may continue to enroll in subsequent semesters.
Extensions of enrollment eligibility
Students seeking additional time to complete their degree may request an extension of enrollment eligibility through the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Affairs. Extensions beyond 10 semesters are granted only in exceptional circumstances and are subject to the approval of the Assistant Dean. Because of program capacity constraints, extensions are rarely approved and generally will not be granted for the purpose of completing a minor or pursuing a second bachelor's degree.