Credit Load
The enrollment system does not allow students to enroll for more credits than their maximum credit limit or drop below the minimum credit limit if applicable. Students must obtain the approval of their academic dean’s office for exceptions.
Fall/Spring Full-time Credit Ranges
| Undergraduate | 12-18 cr. |
| Graduate (non-dissertator) | 8-15 cr. |
| Dissertator | 3 cr. |
| University Special | 12-18 cr. |
Summer Full-time Credit Ranges
| Undergraduate | 6-12 cr. |
| Graduate (non-dissertator) | 4-12 cr. |
| Dissertator | 3 cr. |
| University Special | 6-12 cr. |
For information on full-time status for careers not listed, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
Credit Load Approval Process
- Student should add classes through Course Search & Enroll until the maximum term credit load has been reached.
- Student should contact their academic dean’s office to see if a credit overload exception is likely to be considered. (L&S students can get information and make requests for overloads on the L&S Policies and Forms site)
- If advised by the academic dean’s office to proceed with submission of a formal request, student should go to MyUW > Student Center > Manage Classes > Course Change Request. Scroll to the bottom of the page to “Use this section to request a late add of a class” and add the five-digit course number for the course that would result in an overload.
- Student should save their request, print the form, obtain permission and have either the course instructor or offering department sign the form.
- Take the form to the academic dean’s office for approval. The “Dean” signature will be completed after the form is submitted to the academic dean’s office.
- The academic dean’s office will approve or deny the request.
- If approved, the Office of the Registrar will finalize enrollment into the class.
- If denied, the academic dean’s office will notify the student.
*Note: Undergraduate and special students will be subject to additional tuition if they exceed their credit load based on all credits for which they may have enrolled during the term. Students should consult with their academic dean regarding credit loads.
Special Notes for Summer
Students are limited to course enrollment equal to one credit per week of session with the exception of the eight week general session. That session allows for 9 credits over the eight week period. The enrollment system does not allow students to enroll for more credits than their credit limit. In addition to the session credit limit, undergraduate students will be allowed to enroll in a maximum of twelve credits across the duration of the summer term. Students must contact their academic dean’s office to inquire about exceptions.
*Note: Undergraduate and special students will responsible for any additional tuition that is assessed as a result of exceeding their maximum credit load for the summer term. Graduate and professional school students should check with their academic dean regarding maximum credit loads.
Summer Session Credit Overload
Below is the recommended process for a summer session credit overload request:
- Student should add classes through Course Search & Enroll until the maximum session credit load has been reached.
- Student should contact their academic dean’s office to see if a credit overload exception is likely to be considered. (L&S students can get information and make requests for overloads on the L&S Policies and Forms site)
- If advised by the academic dean’s office to proceed with submission of a formal request, student should go to MyUW>Student Center>Manage Classes>Course Change Request. Scroll to the bottom of the page to “Use this section to request a late add of a class” and add the five digit course number for the course that would result in an overload.
- Student should save their request, print the form, obtain the appropriate signatures, and take the form to their academic dean’s office for approval. The “Dean” signature will be completed after the form is submitted to the academic dean’s office.
- The academic dean’s office will approve or deny the request.
- If approved, the Office of the Registrar will finalize enrollment into the class.
- If denied, the academic dean’s office will notify the student.
Students earning Retroactive Credits (in foreign languages)
Retroactive credits are entered on the university transcript during the term following the term in which these credits are earned. Retroactive credits do not advance a student’s enrollment priority for the term immediately following the term in which the course to earn retroactive credits was taken. For more information, read the University of Wisconsin-Madison Language Institute’s page on retroactive language credits.
Late Initial Enrollment
A $50.00 late initial enrollment fee is assessed to students who add their first class after their respective Late Initial Enrollment Deadline:
There are no upcoming events at this time.
For questions regarding late enrollment, view the Late Enrollment Policy.
Initial course enrollment after the Add Deadline Date requires the permission of the student’s academic dean and departmental permission for each course for all students. Advisor approval, if required, should be accomplished in accordance with the procedures established in the respective college or school (see the following table).
*Note: Permission to enroll late is not granted automatically.
| Type of Student | Advisors Approval* |
Academic Dean’s Office |
| Grad Students | Yes | 217 Bascom Hall |
| Law Students | No | 5105 Law |
| Medical Students | No | 2150 HSLC |
| Pharm D Students | Yes | 1203 Rennebohm Hall |
| Physical Therapy Master’s | Yes | 1140 Med Sci Center (MSC) |
| Master of Public Health | Yes | 1140 Med Sci Center (MSC) |
| Veterinary Medicine | No | Rm 2268, 2015 Linden Dr. |
| Undergrad and College Special Students: | ||
| Ag & Life Sciences | No | 116 Ag Hall |
| Business | *see below | 3150 Grainger Hall |
| Education | No | 139 Education Bldg |
| Engineering | Yes | 2620 Engineering |
| Engr First Year | Yes | 1150 Engineering |
| Human Ecology | No | 1194 Nancy Nichols Hall |
| Letters & Science | *see below | 110 Ingraham Hall |
| Nursing | Yes | 1131 Cooper Hall, Signe Skott |
| Pharmacy | Yes | 1203 Rennebohm Hall |
| Division of Continuing Studies: | ||
| University Specials | No | 21 N. Park St, 7th floor |
| Guest Students | *see below | 21 N. Park St, 7th floor |
*Late Enrollment Activities for these students may require advisor’s approval:
Business Students Late Enrollment: no advisor’s authorization
-academic dean’s approval required; visit 3150 Grainger Hall.
Business Students Late Add:
-instructor’s, department’s office & dean’s office authorization required.
Business Students Late drop:
-Dean’s approval required; visit 3150 Grainger Hall.
Letter’s & Sciences Late Enrollment:
-department’s approval & dean’s approval both required; visit 110 Ingraham Hall
Letter’s & Sciences Late Add:
-instructor’s, department’s office & dean’s office authorization required
Letter’s & Sciences Late drop:
-dean’s approval required; visit 110 Ingraham Hall
Guest students must obtain the authorization of the instructor for each course in which they enroll.
Religious Observances and Mandatory Academic Requirements
It is the university’s policy that mandatory academic requirements, such as exams, should not be scheduled on days when religious observances may cause substantial numbers of students to be absent from the university. Any student who has a conflict between a mandatory academic requirement and a religious observance (which may include travel time) must notify their instructors within the first two weeks of class of the specific days or dates on which they request relief. It is understood that instructors may set reasonable limits on the total number of days claimed by any one student. Make-ups may be scheduled before or after the regularly scheduled requirements. If, after speaking with the instructor, a student believes they have not been accommodated, that student should speak with the faculty member’s department chair.
For more information, contact the Secretary of the Faculty.
Obtaining a University Photo ID Card (Wiscard)
To be eligible for an ID card, a student must be enrolled for classes and present some form of valid photo identification.
For more information, office hours and location, please visit the Wiscard website.
Final Exam Information
Detailed final exam date and time information can be found in Course Search & Enroll in My UW.
Repeatable Courses
Undergraduates are not able to repeat any course, with all grades (A through F) and their associated grade points included in the grade point average, but with credits counted only once for any other purpose. Students should consult their dean’s office for any additional requirements.
Students may carry courses on a refresher basis if they wish to repeat a course for which they have college credit. Courses taken on a refresher basis do not count for degree credit a second time. Graduate students should see Graduate Academic Guidelines for information on repeating courses.
Incompletes
For more information regarding incompletes, visit the Incomplete page on the Office of the Registrar website.