How many classes you should take in a given semester depends on several different factors: Are you working full or part-time? What are your family or community obligations? Do you have any travel plans this semester?

Montana State University uses the following formula for determining the number of hours of work needed for college level courses:

1 credit (undergraduate or graduate) = 45 hours of work per semester. Thus, a 3 credit course = 135 hours of work
per semester.

A typical fall or spring semester is about 15 weeks, so when you divide 135 hours by 15 weeks, it works out to approximately nine hours of work per class, per week (for a 3-credit course). Keep in mind, some courses may require more work, and some may take less. Some graduate classes also run over a shorter time frame and require more hours per week.

Twelve (12) credits in a semester is considered full time for undergraduate students. For a traditional-aged, campus-based college student who does not work or have children, taking 12 or more credits in a semester is fairly common. This load of courses works out to roughly 36-45 hours a week, which, for someone who isn’t working or doesn’t have too many other obligations, isn’t too much to handle. School is their full time job. 

Please carefully consider how much time you will have to devote to your studies before signing up for classes. Montana State Online classes are not self-paced. You will be required to keep up with the class. Even though taking classes online adds additional flexibility for those who can’t attend campus-based courses, the amount of work in an online class is the same as a campus-based class (and sometimes more).