Registration Policies and Information

Maximum Credit Load

Maximum load is 10 credits for fall and spring terms; 7 credits for summer term.  Students who wish to carry more credits in a term need permission from the department chair of their program. Criteria for approval may include grade point average, current employment/life demands, the type of courses requested, etc. Permission is never extended to students who are not making normal progress in their course of study.

Registering for Graduate Courses

Accepted students register for classes using the Murphy Online Web registration system. Complete registration instructions are available inside the system. Students must use their UST ID number and PIN to register. Students who encounter registration problems should contact the School of Education Registration Office.

Registering as a Non-degree Student

Non-degree students must register on non-degree registration dates. Consult the School of Education program guide for specific non-degree registration dates. Non-degree students register in person at the Registration Office in Room 217, Opus Hall, on the Minneapolis campus.

Non-degree students do not qualify for financial aid.

Registration Advisers

When admitted to a graduate program, each student is assigned an adviser. Advisers assist students in determining appropriate courses for their programs and will recommend action concerning credit for transfer courses. Students are responsible for contacting their advisers before every registration period.

Dropping or Adding a Course (and Financial Aid)

Before classes begin, students may drop or add courses using Murphy Online. After classes begin, graduate students must officially change their registration by completing the required drop/add forms available in the School of Education Registration Office. A drop/add transaction is not complete until the student delivers the form to the School of Education Registration Office for entry on his or her schedule. Non-attendance in a course does not constitute withdrawal. Simple non-attendance results in a grade of F. Once classes begin, tuition liability for the full semester is incurred. See graduate course schedule for the current refund schedule. Students are advised to check with the Financial Aid Office since adding and dropping classes may change their financial aid status/liability.

Independent Study

An individual or independent study is a learning contract in which a registered student and university supervisor define, organize and evaluate one of the following:

• A special project, which is limited in content and time frame. This provides an opportunity for students to receive individual instruction and guidance while pursuing a subject of special interest. It also allows instructors to share their personal study and foster the special abilities and interests of their students.
• A regular university course by means of independent study. Only in exceptional circumstances may such an independent study be taken during a term in which a regular session of the course is being offered.

The student must register in person for the independent study course. A copy of the approved independent study contract will be required for registration. A maximum of  three credits at the master’s degree level and six credits at the doctoral level may be taken as independent study. Independent study registration is available only to students accepted into degree, licensure or certificate programs; it is not available to non-degree students.

A copy of the approved independent study contract will be retained in the student’s records until the course is completed.

Class Cancellation

The University of St. Thomas reserves the right to cancel any class that has insufficient enrollment.