Adding and Dropping Courses
- When can I add a course to my schedule?
- Can I take more than 18 hours in a semester?
- How do I add a course after the first two weeks of class?
- When can I drop a course from my schedule?
- How do I drop a course after the deadline or from a previous semester?
When can I add a course to my schedule?
Check your “time ticket” (available online through your UI-Integrate account) for the exact day and hour that you may begin adding classes to your schedule. You can continue to add full-term classes through the second week—or tenth day—of the semester. (See the Office of the Registrar's Academic Deadlines for specific dates.)
If you add a course after the first day of classes, it's wise to contact the instructor to introduce yourself, receive a copy of the syllabus, check on assignments, figure out which books you need, and determine whether there have been any changes in meeting time, location, or any other aspect of the course.
Can I take more than 18 hours in a semester?
All full-time students are required to maintain between 12 and 18 hours per semester. This means that you may not add a course that will lift your credit load above 18 hours unless you first receive permission from your academic advisor. Our academic advisors will assess each request on a case-by-case basis. Typically, you and your advisor will review your academic history and academic needs before determining whether or not an “overload” is warranted.
How do I add a course after the first two weeks of classes?
To add a 16-week course after the first two weeks of the semester, you must receive permission from the instructor, the department offering the class, and your academic advisor.
You can initiate this process by either downloading and printing the Late Add Form below or visiting the Campus Center for Advising and Academic Services to pick up the form at the front desk. The form needs to be signed by your instructor, the department (go to the main departmental office), and, finally, by your DGS academic advisor. The form must be returned to our advising center so that our support staff can manually add the course to your schedule.
When can I drop a course from my schedule?
As long as you remain enrolled in at least 12 credit hours, you can drop a course without academic penalty at any time from the moment your registration begins until the end of the eighth week of classes (See the Office of the Registrar's Academic Deadlines for specific dates). For courses less than 16 weeks in length (or unless otherwise indicated), you may drop the course without academic penalty until the mid-point of the semester.
Be aware though, that some financial aid packages require the enrollment in and completion of a specific number of credit hours. If you currently receive financial aid make sure you confer with a financial aid counselor before dropping any classes.
You may not drop below 12 hours without permission from your academic advisor. Dropping to fewer than 12 hours can negatively impact your academic status, and may have implications on your time to degree completion, financial aid offerings, NCAA eligibility (if you are a student athlete), visa status (if you are an international student), private health insurance, and more.
The Banner student record system, UI Integrate, was recently updated to prohibit any schedule changes after the tenth day of the semester that would require a drop below 12 credit hours (even if you are simply trying to swap classes). You will now need to come to the Campus Center for Advising and Academic Services to discuss the situation with your DGS advisor and request an “underload.”
Before you drop a course, it's a good idea to talk with your academic advisor about your reasons for dropping it and the effects the drop may have on your progress.