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Course System and Study Load

In this Section:

Course Numbering System

Courses are identified by a departmental abbreviation, followed by a three-digit course number. The course number indicates: 001-099, remedial (no credit toward any degree); 100-299, lower division; 300-399, upper division; 400-499, upper division or graduate; 500-899, graduate courses; and 900-999, continuing education courses.

The department abbreviations are as follows:

ACCT Accounting HUM Humanities (General Studies)
       
CAPS Center for Adult and Professional Studies IBUS International Business
       
ART Art JAPA Japanese
       
AT Athletic Training LDRS Leadership Studies
       
BCLM Business and Christian Leadership Management MATH Mathematics
       
BIOL Biology MCIS Management and Computer Information Systems (Accelerated Degree Program)
       
BLNG Biblical Languages MISS Management Information Systems (Accelerated Degree Program)
       
BMGT Business Management (Adult and Professional Studies Program) MKTG Marketing
       
BNRS Nursing (Adult and Professional Studies Program) MUS Music
       
BUSI Business and Management OXUN Oxford Program
       
CBA Cinema and Broadcasting Arts PE Physical Education
       
CHEM Chemistry PHIL Philosophy
       
CHIN Chinese PHYC Physics
       
CISS Computer Information Systems (Adult and Professional Studies Program) PNRS Pre-Nursing
       
CMIN Christian Ministries POLI Political Science
       
COMM Communication Studies PSYC Psychology
       
CS Computer Science REC Recreation
       
CSA College Student Affairs SOC Sociology
       
EDUC Education SOCW Social Work
       
ENGL English SPAN Spanish
       
FIN Finance TEP Teacher Education Program
       
FREN French TESL Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
             
GERM   German   THEO   Theology
       
GLBL Global Studies UBBL Biblical Studies
       
HDEV Human Development (Adult and Professional Studies Program) UNRS Nursing
       
HIST History WEB Web and Information Technology

Credit Hours

Semester credit is generally determined on the basis of the Carnegie System, which awards one unit of credit for each 50-to-55-minute class session per week. However, the nature of the course will determine the number of class contact hours. Emphasis will be given to achieving course objectives.

Normal Progress Toward a Degree

The minimum number of credits for a bachelor's degree is 126. Twelve (12) units per semester constitute a minimum full-time load and normal progress toward a degree. However, the student should be aware that to complete a bachelor's degree in four years, an average of 16 units per semester is needed.

Study Load

The maximum study load recommended by the university is 17 units per semester. However, upon approval of the Office of the Registrar, a student may take additional units above the maximum study load. Approval for additional units is usually given only to students with a 3.45 grade-point average or higher who have completed 28 units.

Classification of Students

A full-time student may be defined as one taking a minimum academic load of 12 units each semester. The following system for student classification is used by the university:

  • Freshman: 0-27 units
  • Sophomore: 28-59 units
  • Junior: 60-89 units
  • Senior: 90+ units

Senior classification does not ensure graduation. All requirements for a degree must be met in order to graduate. Freshmen and sophomores have lower-division standing. Juniors and seniors have upper-division standing. Unclassified students are those admitted to the university program on a provisional basis and/or those who are not registered in a degree credit program.

Concurrent Enrollment Policy

Students wishing to take courses at another institution while enrolled at APU should obtain prior approval from the Office of the Registrar. Without written prior approval from the Office of the Registrar, transfer credits may be denied.

Graduate Courses Taken by Undergraduate Students

An undergraduate student may only enroll in a graduate course if:

  • The student is a senior.
  • The department chair of the student's major approves.
  • The request is submitted with the form provided by the Office of the Registrar.

Graduate courses taken by an undergraduate student may not apply toward the graduate degree unless the grade received in the graduate course is a 3.0 or higher. No more than eight units earned as an undergraduate student may be counted toward an APU graduate degree.

Center for Adult and Professional Studies | School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences | School of Business | School of Education
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | School of Music | School of Nursing | School of Theology