Registration and Enrollment
University Policy
Wheelock College of Education & Human Development Policy
Course Overload
Undergraduate Students
Full-time undergraduate students are permitted to enroll in up to 18 units during the academic year. Seniors are permitted to enroll in up to 20 units. Students (other than seniors) who enroll in more than 18 units are charged tuition for each additional unit beyond 18. Seniors who enroll in more than 20 units are charged tuition for each additional unit beyond 20. Continuing undergraduate students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, or seniors requiring an additional course for graduation, may request an exemption from Wheelock Data & Enrollment Management for the additional tuition charges. Exemption requests for an additional 2–4 units that satisfy these conditions are considered.
Graduate Students
Full-time graduate students take 18 units or fewer during academic terms. Students wishing to take in excess of 18 units should discuss this with their advisors.
Cross-Registration
Continuous Enrollment for Doctoral Students
Doctoral (EdD and PhD) candidates must register each term until all degree requirements have been met, unless granted a leave of absence. Students must be registered during the terms in which the comprehensive exams, the dissertation proposal, and the final dissertation hearing are held.
For doctoral students, there are four registration options:
Option 1: Registration in one or more Boston University course(s) for a minimum of 2 units. Tuition and fees are assessed at the rate of the school or college in which the course is offered.
Option 2: Registration in an independent study course, with the approval of the instructor monitoring the study and the program director, for a minimum of 2 units.
Option 3: Registration for dissertation advisement for a minimum of 2 units.
Option 4: Registration for the continuing study course WED ED 950. This non-unit course entitles the student to use libraries, research laboratories, academic staff, and academic facilities of the University for the purpose of completing examination, research, and thesis or dissertation work. Note: While the course carries no units, 2 units of tuition fees are charged for enrollment in this course.
Residency Requirements for Doctoral Students
Every doctoral candidate must spend a minimum of two consecutive terms in residence at Boston University. Residence is defined as registration for a minimum of 12 unit hours at the University during each of two consecutive terms. (Summer terms may be considered one term.) The residency requirement may be met by holding a research or teaching assistant position or by being employed at Boston University 35 hours or more per week and registering for a minimum of 8 unit hours for two consecutive terms. For additional information, students should contact their academic advisors.
Certification of Full-Time Status with Part-Time Enrollment
Students who are interested in full-time certification as a part-time student for loan or visa purposes should contact Wheelock Data & Enrollment Management to determine whether they meet the specific conditions under which such certification is possible. Students who meet the criteria may petition for full-time certification. Note: In January 2016, the Faculty Assembly adopted a new policy to extend this status to students for a maximum of 8 terms in total.
Enrollment in Summer Term
Boston University’s summer term covers two 6-week sessions. In the 12 weeks, students may earn up to 16 term units, the equivalent of a full term of work during the regular year. A maximum of 8 units may be taken during a six-week session.
Nondegree Graduate Students Registration
All graduate students registering for courses who have not been admitted into a degree/certificate program at the University are considered nondegree students. Nondegree students are required to register through Wheelock Data & Enrollment Management. Nondegree students may transfer a limited number of unit hours into a degree or certificate program (see: Transfer Units).
