Terminology

• To be a Full Time Student you must have at least 12 semester hours.

  Usually a full time student takes 12 to 18 semester hours. If you fall below 12 semester hours you may affect your medical and/or car insurance (or your parents' medical and/or car insurance), your financial aid package (e.g., loans and/or scholarships), and your visa status (if you are an international student.)

  Note, international students are required by law to be full-time students. For grad students this means that they must be taking at least 9 credits and for undergraduates 12 credits. Any questions related to visa situations should be taken to Mary Ann Brunner in the Center for International Education.The University is now mandated to let the INS know if a student goes below full-time.

• Second Degree <> Dual BS Degree <> Double Major <> Minor !!
  • Second Degree : If you have a BS degree from a recognized four year institution or you are working on a four year degree at MTU, you may earn a second BS degree at MTU by completing at least 25% of the requirements of a second BS degree. The Department offering the second BS degree may require more than 25% of the requirements of their degree.

  • Dual BS Degree : This referes to two BS degrees -- one from MTU and one from a cooperating school.

  • Double Major: A double major graduates by earning one degree that satisfies the requirements of two BS degrees.

  • Minor:
    • Non-Teaching Certificate Minor: Each Department that offers a Minor has specific requirements. This are listed on the MTU web -- somewhere.

    • Teaching Certificate Minors: These are described on the MTU Department of Education Web page. A Teaching Minor enables a teacher to be certified to teach subjects, other than their major area, in high schools.