Course Loads: Credit Overloads and Dropping Courses
How many credits am I allowed to take in my first semester?
We encourage entering freshmen and transfer students to take a full-time program of between 12 and
16 credits. We set no minimum number of credits you must take, but you may not register for more than
18 credits. Freshmen are not allowed to add courses to their assigned block. We strongly urge entering
freshmen not to work if you can avoid it. If you must work, work for as few hours as possible. If you have
a full-time job, taking more than one or two courses is very likely to jeopardize your career at Baruch.
Become familiar with Baruch’s rigorous expectations before you test your limits.
What if I want to take more than 18 credits?
Students in all three schools may apply for a credit overload. The credit overload allows students to
register for 19 to 21 credits in either the Spring or Fall semesters. For those students seeking permission
for the summer session(s) a maximum of 5 courses is allowed with 3 three courses in one session. First
semester transfer students and first semester freshmen are not permitted credit overloads. Students not in
one of the three schools are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to qualify. Please see an academic
advisor for additional information about applying for a credit overload.
What if I need to drop a course?
- See Schedule of Classes for each semester’s deadline date to drop a course(s).
- Student must complete a drop form and have it approved at the Office of the Registrar or the Center for Academic Advisement by the stated deadline date.
- If you are receiving financial aid or are an international student, dropping a course might affect you. Please see the appropriate office.
- If you are a freshman or withdrawing from all courses (Total Withdrawal) at any time during the semester, you must come to the Center for Academic Advisement and meet with an Academic Advisor.
- If you need to drop a course after the deadline date, meet with an Advisor at the Center for Academic Advisement.