Definition of Credit

Semester Credit Hour

The number of clock hours spent in class work determines the semester-credit-hour (SCH) value of a course.

One clock hour per week in lecture or two to three hours per week in laboratory for a 15-week semester is the normal amount of class work the university requires for 1 SCH.  Unless otherwise specified, each course has a value of 3 SCH. In addition to the traditional course settings, Texas A&M University-Texarkana offers courses taught in non-traditional modes (i.e., internet, distance education, weekend, or self-paced courses.)

Resident Credit

The university considers courses completed at Texas A&M University-Texarkana as resident credit. The university does not consider extension credit, correspondence credit, non-traditional credit, and credit received for institutionally devised exams resident credit.

Course Numbering

  • The course-numbering system consists of an alpha abbreviation (ex: ENGL) which indicates the subject area, and a three-digit or four-digit course number.  Example: ENGL 1301.
  • The first digit of the number (ex: ENGL 1301) indicates the level of the course:
    • a "0" is a developmental/remedial level course, 
    • a "1" is a freshman level course,
    • a "2" is a sophomore level course,
    • a "3" is a junior level course,
    • a "4" is a senior level course,
    • a "5" is a graduate level course, and 
    • a "6" is a doctoral level course
  • The university considers course numbers at the 1000-2000 level as lower division (LD). The university considers course numbers at the 300-400 level or above as upper division (UD). An asterisk (*) on the transcript indicates work not applicable to the level indicated on the transcript.

Maximum Registration Hours

Each course in the university requires two hours of outside work for each hour in class. Students who work part-time or full-time should consider this recommendation carefully as they plan their course load.

The total number of hours for which a student registers, including accelerated courses, may not exceed the normal load limitation for the particular registration period as follows:

Fall or Spring Terms No more than 18 SCH
Summer Terms No more than 12 SCH

A student with a 3.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) may appeal to his or her dean for special permission to exceed the limits set under this policy.

A student may not enroll in more than one course meeting during the same scheduled time. The administration may drop any student who violates this policy from all classes meeting at the same scheduled hour and day without the instructor giving him or her a grade and without refund of tuition. 

Student Course Load

The university defines full-time status for an undergraduate student as enrollment in a minimum of 12 SCH. The university considers a graduate student enrolled in at least 9 SCH a full-time student.

The university defines the course load for undergraduate students enrolled in a fall or spring semester according to the information listed below.

Undergraduate Fall/Spring Minimum Hours
Full Time 12
3/4 Time 9
Half Time 6
Less Than Half Time 1

The university defines the course load for undergraduate students enrolled in a summer session according to the information listed below. 

Undergraduate Summer Minimum Hours
Full Time 12
3/4 Time 9
Half Time 6
Less Than Half Time 1

The university defines the course load for graduate students enrolled in a fall or spring semester according to the information listed below:

Graduate Fall/Spring Minimum Hours
Full Time 9
3/4 Time 7
Half Time 6
Less Than Half Time 1

The university defines the course load for graduate students enrolled in a summer session according to the information listed below:

Graduate Summer session Minimum Hours
Full Time 9
3/4 Time 7
Half Time 6
Less Than Half Time 1