Half-Credit Courses
Beginning Fall 2022, Middlebury College will offer half-credit courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which course is half-credit?
On the course schedule, the “Instruction Mode” of the course will say “In Person, Half-Credit.”
In Banner 9, when searching for classes, the “Hours” column lists “.5” or “.5 credits.”
In the Searchable Catalog, filter for “In-Person, Half-Credit” in the course modality block.
Can I register for a total of 3.5 credits?
Yes, you may register for 3.5 credits in a semester. Keep in mind that beginning with the fall 2025 semester, you need at least 34 credits to graduate, so be sure that a semester with 3.5 credits keeps you on pace to graduate. If you have questions about your degree progress, speak with your academic advisor.
How do I register for 4.5 credits?
Registration for more than 4 credits may only be done during Add/Drop.
Seniors:
- Contact the instructor for approval to take the course. Once the Instructor Approval has been entered in Banner, log into Banner and register for the course.
- NOTE: you can see approvals that have been entered for you on the ‘Prepare for Registration’ app in Banner 9.
Sophomores – Juniors:
- Fill out this request form. NOTE: This form requires an upload of advisor’s approval, so be sure you have that before you begin the form.
- Once you submit the form, the Office of the Registrar will add you to the class.
First Year Students: Students in their first or second semester should contact their academic advisor to discuss the possibility of registering for 4.5 credits. If approved, first year students should fill out this request form. NOTE: the form requires an upload of advisor’s approval. Once you submit the form, the Office of the Registrar will add you to the class.
Can I register for more than one half-credit course?
Yes. Keep in mind, if your credit total in a given semester exceeds 4 credits, you will need to follow the procedure for requesting a 5th course (see below).
Can I take a half-credit course as my 5th course?
Seniors:
- Contact the instructor for approval to take the course. Once the Instructor Approval has been entered in Banner, log into Banner and register for the course.
- NOTE: you can see approvals that have been entered for you on the ‘Prepare for Registration’ app in Banner 9.
Sophomores – Juniors:
- Fill out this request form. NOTE: This form requires an upload of advisor’s approval, so be sure you have that before you begin the form.
- Once you submit the form, the Office of the Registrar will add you to the class.
First Year Students: Students in their first or second semester may not register for 5 credits.
Do half-credit courses count toward graduation?
Half-credit courses count toward your overall 34 credits required to graduate (minimum 34 credits required for graduation begins in the fall 2025 semester).
They do not satisfy general college requirements like the academic distributions, Cultures & Civilizations, or College Writing.
Do half-credit courses count in my GPA?
Yes, half-credit courses have standard letter grading and count toward your cumulative GPA.
I have 33.5 credits - can my credit be rounded up?
No, if you have earned a .5 credit course, it will not be rounded up to a full credit. Effective Fall 2025, students with 33.5 credits do not meet the minimum 34 credit graduation requirement, and will not be eligible to graduate.
Do half-credit courses carry academic or cultures/civ tags?
No, half-credit courses do not satisfy academic distribution or Cultures & Civilizations tags.
Can I invoke Credit/No Credit with a half-credit course?
Yes, the Credit/No Credit grade mode is available to invoke with a half-credit course. All rules for Credit/No Credit will still apply regardless of how many credits the course carries.
Do half-credit courses count toward my major/minor?
It is up to each department or program to decide whether a half-credit course can be used to satisfy major or minor requirements.