April 30, 2025 

Dear Arts & Sciences Student,

Arts & Sciences BA/BS students may register for a maximum of 18 credits per semester. We are writing to inform you of a change to academic policy governing credit maximums, as voted by Tufts AS&E faculty to go into effect in September. All first-year students are limited to a maximum of 18 credits per semester during their entire first year at Tufts (for both fall and spring semesters); new transfer students and REAL students in their first semester at Tufts are also limited to a maximum of 18 credits. However, effective September 2025, permission to enroll in one or more additional credits for fall and spring semesters will be granted to eligible students as follows:

To be granted permission to enroll in additional credits, eligible students must meet the following conditions as of the first day of classes for the semester:

Students who meet the criteria for additional credits will no longer be required to navigate a petition process, nor will they need to submit a form; instead, their SIS records will be updated with the maximum term limit that corresponds to their class standing. Students eligible to enroll in additional credits can expect their SIS record to be updated with their new maximum term limit by the end of the second day of classes.

Students may not petition for additional credits beyond the maximum semester limits as outlined above. Those students who do not meet the criteria for additional credits should consult their Advising Dean to discuss their course plans.

Any students experiencing technical issues with SIS or with completing registration transactions may contact Student Services. To graduate on time after 8 semesters, students should complete an average of 15 credits per semester. We do not encourage over-enrolling: it is usually not necessary and will not allow you to graduate early. As always, students are reminded to consider their academic residency requirement, which stipulates a minimum completion of 8 semesters of full-time study at Tufts, regardless of progression with cumulative credits.

We hope this new automated process for enrolling in additional credits (once the semester has started) will more conveniently aid students in making course decisions during the official add period.

Sincerely, 

Tanesha Leathers
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Advising
Arts & Sciences BA/BS, Last Names A–D  

Matthew Bellof
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Advising
Arts & Sciences BA/BS, Last Names E–K

Jarvis Chen  
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Advising 
Arts & Sciences BA/BS, Last Names L–Q

Caitlin Casey
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Advising
Arts & Sciences BA/BS, Last Names R–Z and all REAL students