How many courses should I take each semester?

To make appropriate progress toward graduation, students should take four courses (one course = 1 unit or more) per semester. Students must take 33.5 units in total to graduate. A normal courseload is 4 to 4.5 units in a semester.

The minimum course load to be considered a full-time student is 3.5 units; taking fewer than 3.5 units may endanger a student's financial aid and will make a student ineligible for NCAA athletic competition. However, a student who takes only 3.5 units per semester will fail to make adequate progress toward degree completion, which may endanger financial aid and athletic competition eligibility.

International students under F-and J-type visas are required to carry and complete at least 3.5 units of work each semester. For the purposes of this calculation, a withdrawn course does not count toward this required 3.5 unit total. International students should contact the International Student Services Office to determine any effects on their student visa status.