Frank Phillips College
Academic Policies

State Limit on Dropped Classes

Students who enrolled in a Texas public institution of higher education as a first-time freshman in fall 2007 or later are permitted to drop no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career. This limit includes all transfer work taken at a Texas institution of higher education and to second baccalaureate degrees. This student policy was enacted by the State of Texas in spring 2007 (Texas Education Code 51.907). Any course that a student drops is counted toward the six-course limit if:

1. the student was able to drop the course without receiving a grade or incurring an academic penalty;

2. the student’s transcript indicate or will indicate that the student was enrolled in the course; and

3. the student is not dropping the course in order to withdraw from the institution.

Students affected by this statue that has attended or plans to attend another institution of higher education should become familiar with the institution’s policies on dropping courses. This statue applies across all Texas public institution, but procedures for implementation may vary between institutions. Students affected by this policy may request an exemption to the policy by submitting a “Petition for Exemption to 6-Course Drop Policy” form. Exemptions include: illness, family death, active duty service and other good cause as determined by the institution. This form is available in the Dean of Student Services office. Students who enroll in coursework at more than one institution of higher education have an obligation to keep track of the number of dropped courses across all institutions and ensure that they do not exceed six dropped course limit.