Registrar: 6 Drop Rule

Since Fall 2007, undergraduate students across the State of Texas must remember what’s known as the 6 Drop Rule. Under this rule, you may not drop more than six courses during your entire undergraduate program. If you are considering dropping or withdrawing from courses, the following guidelines can help you understand how doing so may affect your progress long-term.

Course Drop Definition

A course drop, which will be recorded on your transcript, is defined as a credit course not completed by an undergraduate student who:

1. is enrolled in the course at the census date, which is the 12th class day during the fall and spring semesters, the 4th class day during summer semesters, and the 2nd class day during mini semesters, and
2. will receive a non-punitive grade of Q.

Withdrawal Definition

You are considered to have withdrawn from the institution when you drop all courses during the current semester. Since full-time enrollment for fall or spring is usually considered to be five courses, withdrawing from a single semester may bring you close to the limit.

Who is affected?

The 6-Drop Rule applies to:

• Entering freshmen or first-time college students enrolled in undergraduate courses
• Transfer students who first enrolled at a Texas public institution beginning Fall 2007 or later
• Texas public universities, community colleges, technical institutes/colleges and health science institutions offering undergraduate coursework

As explained in TEC 51.907, the 6 Drop Rule applies throughout the State of Texas. Dropping a course at one institution and then transferring to a new school will not reset your drop count. Any courses you previously dropped do still count toward your limit of six.

Exceptions

The 6 Drop Rule does not affect students who have completed a baccalaureate degree at any recognized public or private institution. If you successfully earn your bachelor’s degree and decide you want to take more undergraduate courses or begin a second bachelor’s degree program, the 6 Drop Rule is no longer in effect.

Further, some types of courses are excluded from the course drop limit, including:

1. Courses taken by students while enrolled in high school – whether for dual credit, early college credit or for college credit alone.
2. Courses dropped at private or out-of-state institutions.
3. Remedial or developmental courses, workforce education courses or other courses that would not generate academic credit that could be applied to a degree.
4. Aerospace Studies courses not eligible for formula funding.
5. Courses taken as required co-requisites such as a lecture class with a required laboratory are counted as one drop whether or not identified as separate courses or as separate sections of a course.
6. Courses which meet the definition of complete withdrawal.