REG 02.20.02 - Adding and Dropping Courses | Policies, Regulations & Rules

REG 02.20.02 – Adding and Dropping Courses

Authority: Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost

History: First Issued: 1966. Last Revised: July 8, 2025.

Additional References:
Schedule Revision Guide
Academic Calendar

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

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 This regulation describes the process used when students wish to add one or more courses or drop one or more courses (but less than all of their courses) for a term.

1.2 Students wishing to drop all of their courses for the term in which they are currently enrolled or for a term in which they were previously enrolled must follow the process described in the Term Withdrawal from the University regulation (REG 02.05.04).

2. OFFICIAL ENROLLMENT (CENSUS)

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

3. ADDING COURSES

3.1 Students may add courses without permission of the instructor during the first six (6) days of fall or spring terms and during the first two (2) days of summer terms.

3.2 Students must have permission from the instructor to enroll in a course during days seven (7) through ten (10) of fall or spring terms and during the third (3rd) day of summer terms.

3.3 After the census date, students must have permission from the instructor of the course and the academic office of the student’s college to enroll in a course. Graduate students must also have permission from the Graduate School to enroll in a course after census.

3.4 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 deadlines.

4. DROPPING OR WITHDRAWING FROM COURSES

4.1 In order to receive financial aid, students must meet the minimum course load requirements of the appropriate funding agency. Dropping below the full-time enrollment level could impact financial aid, housing, and insurance eligibility.

4.2 Course withdrawals that would result in full-time undergraduate students falling below the minimum full-time course load requirements require approval by the academic office of the students’ college (See also NCSU REG 02.20.05 – Course Load)

4.3 Undergraduate students are limited to a maximum of sixteen (16) hours of course withdrawals over their academic career.

4.4 All hours from course withdrawals will count as attempted hours for course repeats, determining eligibility to continue enrollment, and determining eligibility to receive financial aid

4.5 Timing of course drops

4.5.1 Prior to census date, students may self-drop one or more courses for a term without obtaining prior university approval. Students, however, are encouraged to consult with University personnel prior to initiating a course drop to make an informed decision that takes into consideration academic, financial, and campus access impacts.

4.5.2 After census date, but prior to the drop/revision deadline reflected on the Academic Calendar, students may self-drop from a course without university approval. Course withdrawals after census date will result in a W grade on the transcript and count as attempted hours.

4.5.3 After the drop/revision deadline reflected on the Academic Calendar, students are expected to complete all courses for which they are enrolled. Students must receive approval to withdraw from one or more courses in a term after the drop/revision deadline and must provide reasonable supporting documentation demonstrating serious extenuating circumstances to receive approval. Examples of serious extenuating circumstances may include, but are not limited to, medical reasons (physical and/or mental health), personal/family emergency, personal hardship, or military service.

4.5.3.1 Undergraduate student exceptions require approval by the dean’s designee in the academic office of the student’s college.

4.5.3.2 Graduate student exceptions require approval by the dean’s designee in the academic office of the student’s college and the dean of The Graduate School.

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

4.5.3.4 Students whose withdrawal request has been denied may appeal the decision to the Withdrawal Review Committee through the Withdrawal Appeal Process. Appeals must be in writing and received within ten (10) calendar days from the date of the denial decision. If the tenth (10th) calendar day falls on a weekend or University holiday, the deadline for filing the appeal will be extended to the next University business day. Failure to submit the appeal within this time limit will render the original decision final and conclusive.

4.5.4 Non-standard sessions and courses will have drop deadlines that are proportionally consistent with these regular term dates. Students should consult the Academic Calendar and/or the course syllabus for specific deadlines.

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

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