Course Overload Authorization Form

Undergraduate students wishing to take more than 18 credits in a given semester may complete a Course Overload Authorization Form, to request a fee waiver for additional credits, up to 20 credits. The form must be approved by the student’s advisor based on academic standing and course content, as well as approved by the CFA Dean’s Office based on the policy outlined below. Fees are not waived for over 20 credits.

  • Freshmen may take up to 18 credits. Freshmen who earn a 3.3, or higher, GPA in the fall semester may take up to 20 credits in the spring with advisor’s approval and approval of the Course Overload Authorization Form. This 3.3 GPA minimum requirement is in place due to the intensity of the first year core program in CFA. All first year students are encouraged to focus on their artistic training during this important year.
  • Sophomores and Juniors may take up to 18 credits without authorization. Sophomores and Juniors with a 3.0, or higher, GPA may request a fee waiver with advisor’s approval and approval of the Course Overload Authorization Form, to take up to 20 credits.
  • Seniors may take up to 20 credits without authorization.

Note: Submitting this form does NOT register you for the courses listed.

Please do not submit your overload request until your schedule is completely finalized. These forms will not be approved if there are any discrepancies between the classes you are registered for and the classes listed on the overload form. You must list every class you are registered for in order for your form to be processed.

Please note, Spring overload requests will not be reviewed and processed until after Fall grades have posted, and vice versa.

Course Overload Authorization Form

Please use this form to submit a request to take more than 18 credits for a given semester. You must meet the minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for course overload. Freshmen in their first semester are not permitted to take more than 18 credits. For requests over 20 credits, in addition to submtting this form please contact Brendan Hoey, Director of Undergraduate Student Services, at brendan2@bu.edu.

  • Personal information

  • Without dashes (e.g. U12345678)

  • Academic Information

  • Please select the semester during which you'd like the overload to apply.

  • Please input the year during which you'd like the overload to apply (ex. 2022)

  • Please list *all courses* that will be taken during the semester with the overload. e.g. CAS LS 111. Forms will not be approved if there is any discrepancy between the courses you are registered for and the courses you list here. These are the available abbreviations for the Departments: AR, FA, ME, MH, ML, MP, MT, MU, TH.
    CollegeDept.Course NumberSectionUnit (Credit) Hours 
  • Please enter the total amount of units (formerly credits) you are requesting for this semester.

  • Agreement

  • By checking the box below, I acknowledge that I have read the Course Overload Form Policy as outlined above by the College of Fine Arts and understand how it may affect my housing, financial aid, visa (if applicable) and rate of degree/program completion. The information provided in this form is true and accurate.
  • Select date MM slash DD slash YYYY