Apparently UNC has an 8 semester limitation on time to graduation. I am a transfer student starting this fall with 88 semester hours transferred (thus 5.86 or basically 6 semesters) which only gives me 2 semesters to finish, but when I map it out, I need 4 semesters. This doesn’t seem fair as the curriculum for this major is different at UNC than it was at my other school (for example, way more liberal arts requirements) making this impossible. How strict is this policy?
I don’t think that anyone other than appropriate UNC employees can speak to the requirements for UNC.
However, I have heard from other universities the requirement that you have to do your last two years there in order to graduate (including paying two years tuition, in some cases adjusted for FA). As far as I know this is quite a common requirement.
They will not be accepting all of your 88 credits toward the degree. So in their eyes, you have not completed 6 semesters.
Actually the “requirement” of 8 semesters (having to petition for a 9th or more) is not common at all. NC State doesn’t have that requirement nor does the school I am transferring from (USC). I, too have heard of that “last 2 years from that school to graduate” but upon further research, it’s technically only 3 semesters (Students must earn a minimum of 45 credit hours from UNC-CH courses.)- NC State has the same requirement there.
There is a NC statute where the tuition for semesters beyond 8 are subject to a 50% surcharge but that doesn’t state you need to petition for another semester or more. That part is specifically UNC, hence my question on whether or not anyone on this forum has encountered this situation and how typical is it? Or how difficult is it to get approval for more semesters (based on anything you’ve experienced or heard).
- "By action of the N.C. General Assembly, effective with the 1994 Fall Semester, new students entering any of the campuses of the University of North Carolina system (including NC State), will be assessed a 50 percent tuition surcharge once they have attempted more than 140 degree credit hours. (Degree programs at NC State require 120-128 hours or less for graduation.) Courses taken in summer school at any UNC-System campus do not count towards the 140-hour limitation. Questions about this policy should be directed to the Department of Registration and Records, (919) 515-2572."
@CheddarcheeseMN - those 88 credits are what they’ve already accepted (I have some not accepted but those were not included in the 88). It’s on my TarHeel Tracker: “Units: 120.00 required, 88.00 taken, 32.00 needed” so that’s what I’m basing this on. I hope I’m wrong- so that part, I’ll need to verify with the registrar- how many semesters are they counting for me thus far.
Call the school.
Summers do not count towards the limit.
I would think that you are only allowed eight semesters (not counting summers) as an enrolled UNC student. I doubt they count semesters at another school but only the school can answer that question.
I transfered into UNC last fall. Hopefully, I can help with your question.
Typically UNC only allows people to transfer 75 credit hours towards graduation. Regardless, you are required to complete 45 credit hours at UNC to graduate with a degree.
Now, in regards to the semester limit. UNC has a policy that transfers can request up to two extra semesters (10 semesters total). If you received 75 credit hours, you would have three more semesters to complete your degree. However, you could request another 1-2 depending on the circumstances. I have always heard that they are lenient with transfers on giving a 9th and 10th semester.
That all said, I would recommend speaking with an advisor (you can do this over Skype). They can answer your exact questions.
Also, all of your credits should show up in Tar Heel Tracker. Note the spot that lists the number of credits at Carolina remaining though, as it will say 45 regardless.