A full-time course load is considered to be nine to fifteen credit hours per semester during the academic year and six to twelve credit hours during the summer semester. To exceed 18 hours per semester, a student must have the approval of the Department and the Graduate Dean. Students on one-third time assistantship support cannot carry more than eighteen credit hours per semester without approval by the Department and the Graduate Dean. Approval forms for exceeding eighteen hours are available from the Geography Degree Program Assistant, and must be signed by the Graduate Coordinator or Major Professor. Any M.A./M.S. student who is using university facilities or staff time is required to register for at least three credit hours of course work, and a student shall enroll in GEOG 7000 or 7300 during every semester he/she is in residence and not taking other courses. Students holding an assistantship must register for a minimum of twelve credit hours each semester the appointment is held.