Course Overload Policies
Standard full-time tuition covers 12-18 credits per semester. All full-time students can automatically take up to 18 credits per semester.
Overloading is registering for more than 18 credits in a semester. Every additional credit beyond 18 credits will incur per-credit charges, unless it is one of the automatic-overloads that is listed below. If your program requires you to take a course load beyond 18 credits, you will automatically be granted an overload covering the additional charges. All courses taken beyond the overload maximum will be charged at the per-credit rate.
Note: There are different overload policies varying by program and start date.
Full-Time Single Degree MBA and MBA+MSDi Students
If you meet the following conditions, you will automatically be approved to overload up to the amounts listed below, and there is no need to submit the overload form:
- You are in your last two semesters of the program.
- Your cumulative GSM GPA is 2.70 or higher.
Please note that we will consider an additional one-credit overload (beyond what is outlined below) if you are registered for IM885 or because you are taking a four-credit graduate elective at another BU program. To overload for an additional credit for one of these reasons, please submit the overload form below.
2nd Year Fall Semester Prescribed Curriculum | 2nd Year Fall Semester Potential Max Credits | 2nd Year Spring Semester Prescribed Curriculum | 2nd Year Spring Semester Potential Max Credits | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Full-Time MBA | 13 credits | 18 credits (an extra 5 credits is already built in) | 12 credits | 18 credits (an extra 6 credits is already built in) |
MBA+MSDi | 16 credits | 19 credits (automatic overload) | 15 credits | 18 credits (an extra 3 credits is already built in) |
PEMBA Students
If you register for 12 or more credits, the University considers you a full-time student. You will be charged a flat full-time tuition rate during the academic year, which covers 12-18 credits. Every additional credit more than 18 will incur per-credit charges.
In your final semester, charges for a course overload up to 21 credits may be waived if you are in good academic standing. Please submit the form below.
Dual Degree Students
Please contact your advisor to determine the course overload policy for your particular program.
PhD Students
You must have your faculty mentor’s permission to register for more than 18 credits in a given semester.
Every additional credit above 18 will incur per-credit charges.
Charges for the course overload up to 20 credits are waived if at least one of the following conditions is met:
- Your cumulative grade point average is 3.70 or higher
- You are registering for a fifth course (up to 20 credits) in your last semester of required PhD courses.
Course Overload Tuition Waiver Form
Course Overload Tuition Waiver

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