Schedule Basics

Before you register for classes, we thought you might appreciate a basic overview of how Richmond’s credit system works and how students commonly go about choosing courses. As mentioned elsewhere, to graduate, every student must complete a total of 35 units of study. Since most courses are worth 1 unit, students who bring no advanced standing (e.g., credit through AP or IB exams, or other transfer credit) will likely need to take approximately 35 courses over their four college years.  Most semesters, that will mean taking four 1-unit courses.  Students may have some 5-unit semesters, but most semesters most students are likely to be taking 4 units of courses.  

Although most courses offered are 1 unit courses, there are some .25- and .5-unit and even a couple of 2-unit courses. To be considered a "full-time student," the minimum number of units for which you can register is 3.5.  You may not take fewer than 3.5 units or more than 5.5 units without permission from your advisor and your coordinate college dean.  Some students prefer to take additional courses during the summer to supplement their studies during the regular school year.  This is fine, though students should be certain to get advance approval from the appropriate parties (usually including your advisor and the relevant department chair) before taking courses elsewhere.  Talk with your academic advisor or the staff in the Academic Advising Resource Center during the school year if you have questions about taking courses over the summer.

All new students should consider carefully the pressures of the first college year.  We strongly encourage all new students to take 4 units worth of courses during their first semester at Richmond.  This "normal load" allows students to make good academic progress while maintaining room for adjustment to the rigors of college academics and the changes that come with living on a college campus before they consider extending their load to 4.5 or 5 units.

Unit Conversion

As of Fall 2008, the University is converting from a semester-hour system to “units.” As new students to Richmond, you will take courses only under units, and the online undergraduate catalog provides all the information you need to understand the new system. Because students who are continuing at Richmond are blending the previous semester-hour system with the new unit system, they will be under slightly different expectations from students entering during or after fall 2008. Please use the University catalog to determine the policies and procedures applicable to you.