Since Im planning to graduate in 6 or 7 semesters, I was wondering if the tuition fee would be more expensive if I take 17,18 credit per semeter. The whole purpose to graduate earlier is to save money and if that is the case then there would be no point in taking more credits.
Also, I heard that any summer course in UMass would cost an extra fee, is this correct?
Simply asking, does UMass charge tuition fee based on semester or credit?
You can take as many courses as you want, tuition will be the same. The only time it makes a difference is between going from a part-time to full time student, but that is at 12 credits. Also yes, summer classes cost extra if you take them.
@BladeHunter Thank you! Also, do u know how many credits required to graduate UMass?
@robot1324 I think it depends on the major, but for most, it’s 120. If you’re going for a dual degree, it’s 150.
According to their web site there are strict limits for taken an overload of credits and you must petition the dean to do so:
https://www.umass.edu/registrar/students/registration/overloads
The actual policies seems to be controlled by each individual college, but at least a couple stated the limit was 19 before you were considered overloaded.
@ckd022 So 17, 18 credit per semester shouldnt be an overloading amount Thank you!
@ckd022 “Strict” is fairly subjective. At least in Isenberg, I can just go to advising and they’ll remove the cap easily. I know a couple of people who have done 21 credit semesters pretty much since freshman year (they’re trying to do a 5 year MBA). Regardless, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. The cap is pretty lenient, it’s just completing that many credits a semester that would be the hard part.
@robot1324 - My reading of it is that you can take 17 or 18 credit hours without any other actions but registering. My interpretation of “strict” in this sense means your HAVE TO petition for the extra credits above 19, whether that is easy or hard I have no idea so I would listen to the actual experience of @BladeHunter that they are pretty lenient (at least in his college) when it comes to granting the overload.
May I suggest that for the first semester, you do not overload? You need to get a feel for how much work college is. There is no prize for graduating early (except cost savings).
No employer says “I will hire the person who graduated with a 2.9 but only took 6 semesters over the one who has a 3.7 but took 8.”
So do a “normal” freshman year and if it goes well, then add another 3 credits. Also make sure not to pack your schedule with too many technical/major classes at one. Spread your electives out throughout your years at college.
@bopper Thank you for the advice!