UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Under a revised policy in effect beginning spring 2022, undergraduate students will be limited to a maximum of 24 credits in a given semester. Students who want to exceed the recommended 15-19 credits will be able to add additional credits between the first day of classes and the end of the add/drop period. It is strongly recommended that students consult with their assigned academic adviser before adding additional credits. 

As in the past, undergraduate students will be able to register for a maximum of 19 credits until the first day of classes. On the first day of classes, the limit will be raised to 24 credits for students who have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. This raised limit will remain in effect until the end of the add/drop period, at which point the maximum will be reduced to 19 credits for all students. Limiting the time period for adding additional credits helps to better ensure that students are well-positioned to do well academically because they are in their courses from the start of the semester. 

Those with a cumulative GPA below 2.0, newly admitted and transfer students in their first semester at Penn State, and students in Academic Renewal will not have their credit maximum raised above 19 during the add/drop period. Providing these students the opportunity to successfully complete courses at Penn State before going above 19 is a core part of the University’s commitment to student success.  

Students will begin registering for spring 2022 courses in mid-October. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their academic adviser in advance of their registration time.  A registration timetable can be found at registrar.psu.edu.

The full changes and policy are outlined in Academic and Administrative Policies and Procedures C-2: Undergraduate Registration.