The recommended credit load for undergraduate students is 15-18 hours per semester during a standard academic semester (fall/spring). A minimum of 12 credits per semester is required to be considered a full-time undergraduate or professional student (9 credits in the summer).

Students are limited to 20 credits per semester (15 credits in the summer). Students who find it necessary to exceed this credit limit must have an NDSU minimum institutional grade-point average of 3.0 to be eligible to petition for an overload. The Over 20 Credits Petition Form is available online.

Graduate students full time status is 9 credits (6 credits in the summer). Graduate students may enroll in up to 15 credits per semester and must obtain approval from the Graduate School to exceed this maximum.