Fall and Winter Semesters

All students at Bates College are required to be enrolled full-time. To make standard progress toward the degree, students are expected to register for at least 4.0 credits each fall and winter semester. Students may not take fewer than 3.0 credits or more than 5.5 credits in a semester unless the student secures approval from the Committee on Academic Standing for extenuating circumstances. No additional tuition charge is levied upon students who register for more than 4.0 credits. Similarly, no reduction in tuition is granted to students who register for fewer than 4.0 credits during any of their semesters at Bates. 

Students must be enrolled in courses at Bates College for the final semester of their senior year. Senior work in the major field must be completed in residence. Students who did not graduate and are no longer enrolled at Bates College but wish to satisfy an outstanding thesis requirement to satisfy their graduation requirements may petition the Committee on Academic Standing for permission to conduct their thesis out of residence. They must first secure the approval of the appropriate department or program chair and have an instructor from the department or program willing to advise the thesis. If approved by the Committee on Academic Standing, the student is registered for thesis in the semester in which the work is being completed. 

Short Term

Students must successfully complete two Short Term courses in order to fulfill the Bates degree requirements. Students may register for only one course per Short Term and must be enrolled at Bates College in the preceding fall or winter semester to enroll in a Short Term course in that academic year. Enrolling in a third Short Term course is optional; students are not permitted to enroll in a fourth Short Term course.