Union College operates on a 15-week semester system, which defines courses in semester hours. Traditionally, each hour consists of one 50-minute class period and two hours of additional study per week. A laboratory period of two and one-half to three hours equals one semester hour.
An average load of 15-16 hours per semester over four years (120 weeks total) achieves the 124 semester hours needed for a bachelor's degree. However, the minimum full-time course load of 12 hours meets the requirements of financial aid, immigration, social security and veterans authorities. Students in the Freshman Enrichment, Integrated College Experience, academic probation and academic alert programs are limited to 15 hours. The recommended freshman maximum is 16 hours.
