Study Load

Academic terms are broadly defined by these designations: fall, spring, and summer (sometimes titled Summer B). Sessions of varying numbers of weeks are offered within each term. The total number of units in which a student enrolls in any number of sessions within one term determines a student’s enrollment status for study load standards, financial aid eligibility, and prior student loan deferment purposes. For example, 3 units taken in 8-week session 1 and 6 units taken in 8-week session 2 combine for a total of 9 units for that term.

All units earned through Azusa Pacific University, regardless of the number of weeks in the session in which they are taken, are semester units. See the Academic Calendars for specific term and session information.

For the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology: Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program and Substance Use Disorders certificate, as well as the Master of Science in Applied Statistics and Data Science program, enrollment status is calculated as follows:

Fall or Spring

  • 4 units is half-time status
  • 5-6 units is three-quarter-time status
  • 7 or more units is full-time status

Summer

  • 3-4 units is half-time status
  • 5 units is three-quarter-time status
  • 6 or more units is full-time status

For nursing master’s degree and credential/certificate programs, the Master of Public Health (MPH) program, and the postbaccalaureate Artist Certificate Program, enrollment status is calculated as follows:

Fall, Spring, or Summer

  • 3-4 units is half-time status
  • 5 units is three-quarter-time status
  • 6 or more units is full-time status

For the Master of Social Work (MSW) program and master’s degrees within Azusa Pacific Seminary, enrollment status is calculated as follows:

Fall or Spring

  • 4-5 units is half-time status
  • 6-7 units is three-quarter-time status
  • 8 or more units is full-time status

Summer

  • 3-4 units is half-time status
  • 5 units is three-quarter-time status
  • 6 or more units is full-time status

For teaching credential/certificate programs, enrollment status is calculated as follows:

Fall, Spring, or Summer

  • 6-8 units is half-time status
  • 9-11 units is three-quarter-time status
  • 12 or more units is full-time status

For all other master’s degrees and certificate/credential-only programs not mentioned above, enrollment status is calculated as follows:

Fall or Spring

  • 5-6 units is half-time status
  • 7-8 units is three-quarter-time status
  • 9 or more units is full-time status

Summer

  • 3-4 units is half-time status
  • 5 units is three-quarter-time status
  • 6 or more units is full-time status

For doctoral and clinical fellowship programs, enrollment status is calculated as follows:

Fall, Spring, or Summer

  • 3-4 units is half-time status
  • 5 units is three-quarter-time status
  • 6 or more units is full-time status

With certain restrictions, students at the dissertation level are considered full time if enrolled in any one of the following courses:

EDL 770Dissertation Milestone: Proposal B2
EDL 771Dissertation Milestone: Proposal C2
EDL 772Dissertation Milestone: Finalizing the Proposal2
EDL 773Dissertation Milestone: Data Collection2
EDL 774Dissertation Milestone: Data Analysis2
EDL 776Dissertation Milestone: Results, Discussion, and Conclusion2
EDL 777Dissertation2
GDMN 790Ministry Project4
GDMN 792Ministry Project Continuation2
GNRS 732DNP Clinical Residency0
GNRS 733AResidency IA1
GNRS 733BResidency IB1
GNRS 733CResidency IC1
GNRS 734AResidency IIA1
GNRS 734BResidency IIB1
GNRS 734CResidency IIC1
GNRS 735DNP Scholarly Project Seminar3
GNRS 736DNP Scholarly Project Seminar: Evaluation and Dissemination2
GNRS 780Doctoral Seminar I: Elements of a Proposal and IRB Application3
GNRS 781Doctoral Seminar II: Developing a Grant Proposal3
GNRS 782Doctoral Seminar III: Writing for Publication3
GNRS 783Doctoral Seminar IV: Developing Professional Presentations3
GNRS 784Dissertation Seminar V2-4
GNRS 798Continuous Doctoral Study0
HED 791Dissertation Proposal I1
HED 792Dissertation Proposal II1
HED 794Dissertation Research I3
HED 795Dissertation Research II3
HED 796Dissertation Proposal Seminar3
HED 797Dissertation Research3
HEDL 785Dissertation Proposal1
HEDL 787Dissertation Seminar2
HEDL 789Dissertation Research3-4
PPSY 720Clinical and Professional Consultation1
PPSY 731Dissertation Development1
PPSY 745Dissertation I1
PPSY 746Dissertation II1
PPSY 747Dissertation III1
PPSY 748Dissertation IV1
PPSY 750Predoctoral Internship1
PPSY 752Predoctoral Internship0
PPSY 755Dissertation V1
PPSY 756Dissertation VI1
PPSY 787Dissertation Continuation0
PPSY 795Dissertation Continuation3
RMS 720Dissertation I: Introduction and Literature Review3
RMS 721Dissertation II: Methods and Research Proposal3
RMS 722Dissertation III: Data Collection, Results, and Analysis3
RMS 723Dissertation IV: Discussion and Research Defense3
RMS 749Dissertation Continuation1
RMS 798Doctoral Study Continuation1