Course Overload

FALL/WINTER TERMS (September to April)

Taking a course overload requires additional work, keen time management skills, and will create competing priorities and the potential for increased stress levels.  As such, please consider a request for a 0.5 credit course overload carefully. 

Registration in a maximum load of 5.5* credits between September and April will be supported if eligible.  *Only Scholar’s Electives students are automatically approved for 6.0 credits, if needed.

When reviewing a student’s request for a course overload, our Academic Counsellors will consider the following:

  • A strong academic record
  • A demonstrated ability to manage workload well (past and present) and a demonstrated capacity to meet the demands of committing to an additional 0.5 credit course.

 

Please see the following to determine eligibility requirements and additional overload considerations. 

If you are requesting a 0.5 credit course overload for the Fall term (September to December)

All students must have a minimum average of 78% on 5.0 course credits from the previous Fall/Winter term, with no failed courses permitted.

If you are not eligible to request a 0.5 credit course overload in the Fall term, you may re-submit your request in January to determine if you are eligible for a 0.5 credit course overload in the Winter term instead. 

Please remember that a 0.5 credit course overload taken in the Fall term will be your limit for the Fall/Winter Session combined.

If you are requesting a 0.5 course overload for the Winter term (January to April)

Students who are requesting a 0.5 credit course overload for the Winter term must have successfully completed the equivalent of 2.0 credits with an average of 78% in the Fall term to be eligible for consideration, with no failed courses permitted.   These requests will be considered in January with proof of grades required (Fall term final grades and interim grades for any full year credit courses must be presented). 

Students who have reduced their course load to below 2.0 credit courses in Fall term will not be considered eligible for a Winter term overload. 

Additional Overload Considerations

  • Consideration given to requests for a course overload are discretionary. Meeting the minimum grade requirement for a course overload does not guarantee that permission will be granted.
  • Graduating students – must meet the eligibility criteria; an expectation to graduate “on time” (e.g., in June rather than October) is not grounds for granting a 0.5 credit overload.
  • Students with AEO status (Ivey) – must meet the eligibility criteria; AEO students are encouraged to speak with their Academic Counsellor about their eligibility for a 0.5 credit course overload in the Winter term prior to reducing their Fall term course workload. Having AEO status has no bearing on the decision to grant a 0.5 credit course overload in the Winter term. 
  • Students may not use a 0.5 credit course overload as a basis for appeal. If the 0.5 credit course overload presents a significant increase in a student’s stress level, or affects their ability to meet deadlines, write exams as scheduled or achieve satisfactory grades, we expect that the overload course will be dropped by the posted withdrawal deadline to remedy these circumstances.  Students are encouraged to discuss any concerns in a timely manner with their Academic Counsellor.
  • Students seeking a course overload in the Winter term to accommodate a Summer Session course in MOS, Italian, Social Justice and Peace Studies, etc. are not subject to minimum average requirements as course work will be completed once the Winter term has ended. In these cases, please submit a request through our Help Portal with this explanation.

A 0.5 credit course overload that is approved for the Fall term may be added on August 8th at the earliest, to ensure all student have been given an equal opportunity to register for their required courses during the regular course registration period.  Students may view the Student Center - My Academics – View Special Permissions to determine if their request for a course overload has been granted.  If so, students may register for their additional 0.5 credit course by the add deadline as posted in September.  Alternatively, if a 0.5 credit course overload is granted for the Winter term, students may register for their additional 0.5 credit course by the add deadline as posted in January. 

SUMMER SESSIONS (May to August)

The workload for the Summer Session is restricted to a maximum of 2.5 credit courses and so course credit overloads are not considered.  We strongly recommend that students take no more than 2.0 credit courses simultaneously, and even fewer if working part-time or full-time between May and August.  Please be advised that Summer Session is a condensed timeframe with heavy course content to be covered, demanding deadlines that are expected to be met, and the potential for overlapping exams.  Students are encouraged to consider their employment and other summer commitments before registering for Summer Session courses. Students are also encouraged to be aware of the drop deadlines that exist for Summer Sessions courses because they come up quickly.  Tuition refund dates differ from those drop dates that allow for a withdrawal without academic penalty. Please see the Registrar’s Office web site for details.