Course load is expressed in trimester credits. A trimester credit represents one 55-minute lecture course or equivalent per week for one trimester of 14 weeks with approximately two hours of preparation per hour in each course. Thus, a four-credit lecture course would meet 220 minutes and require eight hours of preparation per week. Laboratory courses are measured with either a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio, with two or three 55-minute periods of lab time making up one trimester credit. Each department sets clinical ratios.

Full-time students are defined as those who are enrolled in 12 or more credits per trimester. The normal course load for a student at ADU is 12-16 credits per trimester, although more than 16 credits may be required by specific programs in some trimesters (see the academic department sections of this Academic Bulletin). Main and Denver campus students who wish to register for more than 16 credits in any given trimester must obtain permission from their advisor and their department chair.  Distance education students who wish to register for more than 12 credits in any given trimester must obtain permission from their advisor and their department chair.   

A student may not be concurrently registered at another college or university and ADU without permission from the Senior Vice President for Academic Administration. Refer to the Transient Policy in the Academic Information section for more information.