Process Repository

Maximum Unit Load

Unit Limits

Please note: The unit limits below are subject to change.

Enrolled Unit Load:

Undergraduate Students

The maximum academic load of enrolled units for undergraduate students in good academic standing is:

  • Fall or spring semester:
    • Spring 2024 and before: 17 units as soon as registration begins
    • Fall 2024 and after: 18 units as soon as registration begins
  • Summer term: 13 units for all sessions combined
  • Winter session: 4 units maximum

Graduate and Credential Students

The maximum unit load of enrolled units for graduate and credential students in good academic standing is:

  • Fall or spring semester: 16 units as soon as registration begins
  • Summer term: 13 units for all sessions combined
  • Winter session: 4 units maximum

Wait List Unit Load:

  • You can wait list for 13 units maximum as soon as fall, spring or state-support summer registration begins.

Unit-Limit Exceptions:

  • Graduating seniors: You are a graduating senior if you have applied for a graduation date in the semester in which you are enrolling, and you will complete all remaining degree requirements by the end of the semester. You may enroll in:
    • Spring 2024 and before: A maximum of 19 units during all registration periods.
    • Fall 2024 and after: A maximum of 21 units during all registration periods.
  • Students enrolled in certain cohort programs: You may be exempt from these unit limit restrictions.
  • Students on academic notice (formerly academic probation): You may only enroll in 13 units. If you are an undergraduate student readmitted under Academic Performance Agreement, you may only enroll in 13 units.

Extra Unit Authorization

Approval of extra units for students not listed among the exceptions above is strictly limited, so choose units wisely by consulting your academic advisor and using the degree planning tools.

Students needing to exceed the maximum unit load may:

  1. Complete the "Extra Unit Authorization" form for your student group:
  • Extra Unit Authorization for Undergraduate & Second Bachelor's Students (Web form)
  • "Extra Unit Authorization for Graduate and Credential Students (.pdf)," available at Graduate Studies Forms. File your completed form with the Office of the Registrar (formerly Admissions and Records) in the Bayramian Hall Student Center no later than the fourth Friday of classes (the end of Late Registration) in the fall and spring semesters or the second Friday of a summer session. The Student Center closes at 4:00 pm daily.
  1. Follow the instructions on the form to request approvals.

Extra Unit Authorization forms will be processed by the Office of the Registrar (Records and Registration) when Nonrestrictive Registration begins. For dates, see the Registration Calendar.