How does Northeastern define a standard course load? I’ve read conflicting definitions on their website - somewhere it said you get billed beyond standard tuition for anything above 16 hours, while another link said the standard course load covered by full time tuition was four standard courses (each of which could be 4 to 6 hours by major). What’s the correct definition? Also, how do classes like labs factor in, and how does the required Enhancing Honors Course affect overload classification (i.e. is that considered a free mandatory course?) I assume the first year inquiry series count as “normal” elective classes, but does the seminar count for billing purposes?
Sorry my question has so many parts, but thanks for help!
The standard course load is four 4 credit courses. Any extra credits (labs, honors, coop intro) that are required in you program are not billed as extra credits.
Also, chorus and band are “free” one credit courses which you can take over the standard load. From the NEU website:
No-Charge Music Ensemble Courses
Undergraduate full-time day students may register for one additional music ensemble course from the following list without added charge:
MUSC 1904 Chorus
MUSC 1905 Band
MUSC 1906 Orchestra
MUSC 1907 Wind Ensemble
MUSC 1911 Jazz Ensemble
MUSC 1912 Rock Ensemble
MUSC 1913 Blues/Rock Ensemble
MUSC 1914 Create Your Own Music
MUSC 1915 Chamber Ensembles
MUSC 1916 Electronic Music Ensemble
MUSC 1917 Jazz Choir and Combo
MUSC 1918 World Music Ensemble
MUSC 1919 Fusion Ensemble
MUSC 1920 Pep Band
MUSC 1921 World Fusion Ensemble
Down to 12 credits (typically 3 classes) is still considered full time and full tuition price. 4 classes (4 credits each) is the standard, plus additional credits for labs. Up to 19 credits (not including free music ensimbles) is still considered regular load. above that you pay extra per credit. However, I have a full tuition scholarship and was able to get the extra cost for a 20th credit (extra lab) waived when my advisor confirmed that it was a major requirement. I don’t know if that was just because of my scholarship or if that’s the standard when you take extra required labs.
Thanks for the info, everyone.
How does having only four courses per semester affect academic life at Northeastern? (I.e. ability to take different classes, schedule flexibility, workload, etc.)
I haven’t seen it really affect any academic life. It feels pretty standard to me. The school is so large that class offerings are plentiful, you can have plenty of different schedules, and the workload I assume would be the same as any other college. To be honest I can’t see having more than four classes, it would be incredibly overloaded. I think perhaps NEU has more class time?
Example: Most 4 credit courses meet 3 days for an hour and five minutes or 2 days for an hour and forty minutes. If you are taking more than 4 classes a semester I would assume you would have much less class time to make it work.