REG 02.20.02 – Adding and Dropping Courses

Authority: Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost

History: First Issued: 1966. Last Revised: July 28, 2020.

Related Policies: 
NCSU REG02.20.03 – Attendance Regulations
NCSU REG02.20.05 – Course Load
NCSU REG02.05.04 – Withdrawal from the University
NCSU RUL02.20.01 – Drop For Non Attendance – College of Management

Contact Info:  Department of Registration and Records (919-515-2572)


1.  OFFICIAL ENROLLMENT (CENSUS)

1.1  A student’s official enrollment is determined by the number of hours in which the student is enrolled at census date.  “Census date” means the end of the tenth (10th) day of a fall or spring term or the third (3rd) day of a summer term. (See also NCSU REG02.20.05 – Course Load)

2. ADDING COURSES

2.1  Students may add courses without permission during the first five (5) days of fall or spring terms and during the first two (2) days of summer terms.

2.2  Students must have permission of the instructor to enroll in a course during days six (6) through ten (10) of fall or spring terms and during the third (3rd) day of summer terms.

2.3  After the census date, students must have permission of the instructor of the course and their college dean to enroll in a course.  Graduate students must also have permission of The Graduate School to enroll in a course after census.

2.4  Sessions less than five-weeks in length and non-standard courses may have deadlines for adding courses that are shorter than those described above.  Students should refer to the academic calendar and/or the course syllabus for specific dates.

3. DROPPING OR WITHDRAWING FROM COURSES

3.1  After the first day of the term, students wishing to drop all courses must follow the procedures for withdrawal for the term.  (See also NCSU REG02.05.04 – Withdrawal from the University)

3.2  Except in cases of withdrawal for the term, courses may be dropped until the census date without permission.  However, in order to receive financial aid, students must meet the minimum course load requirements of the appropriate funding agency.  Dropping below full-time enrollment could impact financial aid, housing and insurance eligibility.

3.3  Students are expected to complete all courses for which they are enrolled as of the census date.  Except as noted below, students may self-drop from a course from census through the first eight (8) weeks (40 days) of regular fall and spring terms and during the first thirteen (13) days of summer terms.

3.3.1. Undergraduate and graduate student course drops after census date are considered to be course withdrawals and will result in a W grade on the transcript.

3.3.2 Course withdrawals that would result in full-time undergraduate students falling below the minimum full-time course load requirements will not be allowed except as noted in Section 4.  (See also NCSU REG02.20.05 – Course Load)

3.3.3. Undergraduate students will be limited to a maximum of sixteen (16) hours of course withdrawals over their academic career.

3.3.4. All hours from course withdrawals will count as attempted hours for course repeats, determining eligibility to continue enrollment, determining eligibility to receive financial aid, and for calculating undergraduate tuition surcharge.

3.4  Non-standard sessions and courses will have drop deadlines set to be proportionally consistent with these regular term dates.  Students should consult the academic calendar and/or the course syllabus for specific dates.

3.5  Faculty are encouraged to provide evaluative feedback to students in their classes prior to these deadlines.

3.6  Courses may not be dropped after final grades have been posted.

4. EXCEPTIONS

4.1  Exceptions to the deadlines above are granted only for documented medical reasons or other verified, unforeseen grounds of personal or family hardship.

4.2  Undergraduate student exceptions require approval by the dean of the student’s college.

4.3  Graduate student exceptions require approval by the dean of the student’s college and the dean of The Graduate School.

4.4  Non-Degree Studies student exceptions require approval from the Department of Registration and Records.