Original Approval: 04/01/2022
Last Updated: 05/13/2025
Last Reviewed: 05/13/2025
Policy/Purpose:
It is the policy of Coastal Alabama Community College to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations as well as Alabama Community College System (ACCS) policies related to Instructional Programs and regarding the level of credit awarded for courses taught at all colleges within the ACCS, regardless of the format or mode of delivery. The ACCS requires all institutions in the System to operate on a semester system.
It is the policy of Coastal Alabama Community College to establish maximum and minimum course loads for students.
NOTE: This policy is subject to change at any time without notification. ACCS policies related to Academic Instruction supersede this policy.
The following ACCS policies are referenced in this policy:
Scope:
This policy applies to all Coastal Alabama Community College students and employees during any activity involving the College, including the workday. In addition, visitors, vendors, contractors, and all other non-employees are expected to recognize and comply with College policies.
Definitions:
Academic Probation: Academic probation is the status of a student whose Cumulative GPA falls below the level required by this policy for the total number of credit hours attempted at the institution; or the status of a student who was on Academic Probation the previous term and whose Cumulative GPA for that term remained below the level required by this policy for the total number of credit hours attempted at the institution but whose GPA for that term was 2.0 or above.
Course Load: The number of credit hours in which the student is enrolled.
Semester Hours: Semester hours of credit are based on the average number of hours of instruction weekly during a 15-week period, with an hour of instruction defined as not less than 50 minutes of instructor/student contact.
Semester System: A semester system is defined as a fall semester, spring semester, and a summer term.
Details:
- Maximum Course Load (First Semester Freshman): The maximum course load for an entering first semester freshman is 19 semester hours, except by special permission.
- Maximum Course Load (Student with Average of 3.00 or above): The maximum load is 24 semester hours for a student who has an average of 3.00 or above during the preceding semester. However, students wishing to take more than 19 semester hours must have written permission from the appropriate Instructional Officer or Designee.
- Maximum Course Load (Student on Academic Probation): The maximum course load for a student on academic probation is 16 semester hours for the term, except by special permission.
- Minimum Course Load: The minimum load for a regular full-time student is 12 semester hours.
Procedure(s):
Enrolling Over Course Load Maximum Procedures
- Students seeking to enroll in credit hours more than the above referenced hours must contact Instructional Services at instructionalservices@coastalalabama.edu.
Additional Provisions/Information
Refer to Financial Aid Policy if receiving any type of financial aid regarding repetition of courses.