Credit
The University operates on a calendar of two sixteen week semesters, fall and spring, during the academic year. Summer sessions are also offered. Some programs offer sessions of various lengths within the regular semester dates.
Course Load (Full-Time Status)
The normal course load of a regular full-time undergraduate student is sixteen (16) semester credits. For academic purposes, the minimum full-time course load is twelve (12) credits. The maximum load for students in good standing is eighteen (18) semester credits in one semester; for students on probation, the maximum is fifteen (15) credits or five courses.
In general, students must be registered for a minimum of six (6) credits per semester to be considered full-time at the graduate/doctoral level .
Course Load (Part-Time Status)
Undergraduate students are considered to be at enrolled three-quarter time if enrolled in nine (9) to eleven (11), half-time if enrolled in six (6) to eight (8) credits, and less than half time if enrolled in five (5) or less credits per semester. Graduate students are considered to be enrolled in half-time if enrolled in three (3) to five (5) credits and less-than-half-time if enrolled in two (2) or less credits per semester.
Classification of Students
As 128 semester credits are required to graduate from Gonzaga, sixteen (16) semester credits per semester on average need to be completed to meet undergraduate degree completion in four years.
An undergraduate student is classified as a First Year, Second Year, Third Year, Fourth Year based upon the cumulative number of semester credits he/she has earned, as shown below:
- First Year Student - A student with 25 or less cumulative credits earned toward a degree.
- Second Year Student - A student who has earned between 26 and 59 semester credits toward a degree.
- Third Year Student - A student who has earned between 60 and 95 semester credits toward a degree.
- Fourth Year Student - A student who has earned 96 or more semester credits toward a degree.
Post-Baccalaureate Student
A post-baccalaureate student has a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and is not admitted to a graduate program. He or she may be pursuing a second bachelor's degree or attending for personal enrichment.
Non-Matriculated Student
A student who is not a candidate for a degree, including someone who is only auditing courses.
Course Numbering System
The University course numbering system gives an indication of the expectations for the level at which the course is taught.
Lower Division Courses
Below 100 - Remedial in nature; University credit is granted for no more than two courses numbered below 100 and the courses do not fulfill any core or major requirements.
100 - 199 - Primarily first and second year courses for which there are normally no prerequisites.
200 - 299 - Courses with usually one prerequisite; primarily for first and second year undergraduates.
Upper Division Courses
300 - 399 - Courses usually with prerequisites; primarily for third and fourth year undergraduates.
400 - 499 - Courses with prerequisites; primarily fourth year undergraduates.
500 - 599 - Graduate level courses (may be taken by third and fourth year undergraduates with Dean's permission; these courses do not count toward a baccalaureate degree).
600 - 699 - Graduate level courses for graduate students only.
700 - 799 - Graduate level courses for doctoral students only.