Undergraduates Taking Graduate Courses

***Effective Spring 2027, including associated registration activities conducted during Fall 2026.

Policy Owner: Office of Graduate Programs

Policy Purpose

This policy establishes institutional requirements and conditions under which undergraduate students at Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) may enroll in graduate-level courses. The policy ensures academic rigor, protects the integrity of education, and maintains consistency with institutional and accreditation standards while supporting academically qualified undergraduate students.

Policy Scope

This policy applies to all undergraduate students at Florida Tech who seek to enroll in graduate-level courses, whether for undergraduate credit or graduate credit. This policy applies to all academic units, instructional modalities, and instructional locations. It also applies to academic advisors, instructors, program chairs, academic unit heads, college deans, and administrative offices responsible for approval, coordination, and oversight of undergraduate enrollment in graduate-level coursework.

Policy Statement

Florida Tech supports academically qualified undergraduate students in pursuing advanced coursework when such enrollment contributes to student success and academic progression. Undergraduate enrollment in graduate-level courses is permitted only under clearly defined eligibility criteria and academic conditions designed to preserve the rigor and distinct expectations of graduate education. These conditions vary depending on whether the course is taken for undergraduate credit or applied toward graduate credit.

Definitions

Graduate-Level Course: A course numbered at the 5000 level or above.

Graduate Credit: Credit that may be applied toward a graduate degree program, subject to graduate admission, program requirements, and applicable graduate academic policies.

Undergraduate Credit: Credit that may be applied toward a bachelor’s degree.

Regular Graduate Coursework: Graduate courses excluding thesis, dissertation, graduate capstone, graduate research, graduate independent study, and graduate final program examination courses.

Academically Qualified Undergraduate Student: A degree-seeking undergraduate student who has completed a minimum of 60 credit hours towards major degree requirements and has a cumulative Florida Tech GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Procedures/Guidelines

1. Eligibility Requirements
   Only academically qualified undergraduate students may enroll in graduate-level courses. Undergraduate enrollment in graduate coursework must not extend undergraduate degree completion. Degree-seeking undergraduate students may enroll in graduate-level courses only if they:
   • Have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours towards major degree requirements,
   • Have a minimum cumulative Florida Tech GPA of 3.0,
   • Demonstrate readiness for graduate-level academic rigor, and
   • Ensure graduate course enrollment does not extend undergraduate degree completion.
2. Limitations, Restrictions, and Exceptions
   Undergraduate students may enroll in up to 12 graduate credit hours while classified as undergraduates. Undergraduate students may enroll only in regular graduate coursework and are not permitted to register for:
   • Master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation courses
   • Graduate capstone courses
   • Graduate research courses
   • Graduate independent study courses
   • Graduate courses graded Pass/Fail or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
   • Graduate final program examination courses

   Completion of a graduate-level course for undergraduate credit precludes the application of that course toward a future graduate degree, except as provided by the Accelerated Master's (Fast-Track) Programs policy.

   Earned graduate credit not applied towards undergraduate degree requirements may still be applied to a master’s program degree requirements consistent with other graduate policies.

   Undergraduate students who are formally admitted to an Accelerated Master’s (Fast-Track) Program are subject to additional eligibility criteria, credit limitations, academic performance standards, and degree completion requirements as outlined in the Accelerated Master’s (Fast-Track) Programs policy.

   In cases where an undergraduate student is participating in an approved Accelerated Master’s (Fast-Track) Program, the provisions of the Accelerated Master’s (Fast-Track) Programs policy govern the application of graduate credit toward both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

Responsibilities

Office of Graduate Programs:

• Implements and administers this policy in accordance with standards recommended by the Graduate Council and approved by the Provost.
• Monitors compliance with the policy and conducts a review at least annually.
• Communicates policy requirements and ensure their consistent reinforcement.
• Evaluates and determines requests for policy exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
• Maintains and oversees graduate student academic records in conjunction with the Office of the Registrar.

Academic Units:

• Ensure appropriate academic rigor and differentiation for coursework.
• Monitor student academic progress and compliance.
• Provide academic advising and support.

Students:

• Ensure eligibility requirements are met.
• Obtain required approvals prior to enrollment.
• Maintain required academic standing.
• Comply with all university and academic policies.

Compliance Reference

• SACSCOC Standard 9.6: Post-Baccalaureate Program Rigor
• SACSCOC Standard 9.7: Program Requirements