What is a course load reduction (“CLR”) and why would I consider one? 
A CLR allows you to take fewer than 4 course credits/semester to help you balance academics and health or personal obligations. You may benefit from a course load reduction (aka CLR) in one or more than one semester if you are managing health or personal circumstances which impact your academics. 

Do I NEED a CLR to take 3 courses (instead of 4)? 
If you typically earn 4 course credits per semester you can take/earn 3 course credits (without a CLR) one time during your first four semesters and one time during your second four semesters while remaining in good academic standing and staying on track to reach 30 course credits to graduate.  

Since academic standing is based on course credits earned after a student has matriculated to Brown this general principle also applies to transfer and RUE students who may have fewer than 8 semesters of enrollment at Brown due to advanced semester standing from enrollment at their previous institution(s).  

A CLR will serve as protection for your academic standing in the event that your health/personal issue persists beyond one semester (or you’ve had previous semesters with less than four credits earned). The CLR is a University acknowledgement that the issue is impacting your academic record. 

Will my expected graduation date change with a CLR?
If you earn 4 course credits per semester in 6 of 8 semesters and 3 course credits in 2 of 8 semesters, do not take a leave of absence, and fulfill all other graduation requirements, your timeline to degree completion should remain the same. Remember you   can take/earn 3 course credits (without a CLR) one time during your first four semesters and one time during your second four semesters while remaining in good academic standing and staying on track to reach 30 course credits to graduate, if you typically earn 4 course credits per semester. Otherwise, you can meet with a College Degree Completion Dean to discuss your degree completion timeline and plans. Both College and Student Support Deans can help brainstorm ways to engage in credit recovery which may include taking courses in Brown summer or Brown winter terms, transferring in credits from another institution or extending your time at Brown to complete remaining requirements for your degree. 

Where should I go to explore the possibility of a CLR?
For personal (non-medical) issues, or a new or short term medical concern: Student Support Services 
For ongoing medical conditions, documented disabilities, or for a CLR which may span multiple semesters: Student Accessibility Services
For degree completion and enrollment unit strategies, RUE and RUE-like student enrollment practices, and substance-abuse/recovery related support needs: The College 

What if I’m not sure if I qualify for a CLR or which office can help me?
You can schedule a meeting with a Student Support Services Dean. The dean will go over your situation and various available options, including the option of a CLR and which office would be best to process the CLR. 

Should I take a CLR with or without a ‘tuition adjustment’?
A variety of factors may influence this decision including whether you wish to graduate in alignment with the same timeline as your original start date at Brown would indicate, at what point in the semester you are reducing your courseload, your financial aid package, as well as factors such as visa status for international students or eligibility for student athletes. It is best to speak with a College Degree Completion Dean or Student Support Service Dean about these options, so we can help discuss the nuances for your individual situation.  Any student wishing to take a course load reduction with a tuition adjustment must speak with a degree completion planning dean in the College before the CLR can be approved.

Students who have more enrollment units than credits may also wish to consider a tuition adjustment to bring these back into closer alignment.

What does ‘tuition adjustment’ mean? 

Tuition is adjusted by the number of enrollment units/courses dropped by the student (e.g. If you drop 4 courses to 3 courses, the registrar will update the tuition rate from ‘standard full time’ to ‘3/4 tuition’). Students taking a CLR with tuition adjustment thus earn fewer enrollment units. Students need 32 enrollment units (averaging 8 semesters earning 4 enrollment units) as well as 30 academic course credits to graduate. Earning fewer enrollment units means you must later earn those enrollment units, for example, by enrolling in an additional semester. A dean can meet with you to talk through this option thoroughly to help you understand how it impacts your specific circumstances.

What is the deadline for requesting a CLR?

The deadline to request a CLR WITH tuition adjustment through SSS, SAS, or the College is the Friday before the ‘end of the fifth week’ of the semester. This allows the university time to process your request fully before the ‘last day to receive any partial tuition refund’.
See: Academic Calendar

The deadline to request a CLR WITHOUT tuition adjustment through SSS or the College is 72 hours before the ‘last day to drop a course’ in a given semester, by 5pm EDT/EST.
See: Academic Calendar

The deadline to request a CLR WITHOUT tuition adjustment through SAS is one week before the ‘last day to drop a course’ in a given semester (given that SAS must process relevant documentation).
See: Academic Calendar


Will a dropped course appear on my transcript?
A dropped course will not appear on external transcripts. Dropped courses only appear on internal transcripts. 

Do I need to speak with any other offices on campus for a CLR?
Maybe! Depending on various factors, you may need additional approval before submitting a CLR:

  • Consult Financial Aid if you are requesting a CLR with tuition reduction and receiving aid.
  • Consult OISSS if you are in F1 or J1 visa status and dropping below 3 courses
  • Consult Athletics if you are a varsity athlete dropping below 3 courses
  • Consult SAS if you already have accommodations through SAS
  • Consult College Degree Completion Deans if you are in your 5th-8th semester and considering a CLR

Is a “Course Load Reduction” different than a “Workload Reduction”?
Not really - the two terms have been used in the past by differing Brown systems, however, the term workload reduction is generally no longer used. “Course load reduction” is used to describe official authorization granted to an undergraduate to take less than 4 courses in a regular fall or spring semester, whether with or without a tuition adjustment. 

Is it better for me to take a CLR or a leave of absence?
A variety of factors may influence this decision.  You can schedule a meeting with a Student Support Services Dean to discuss thoroughly what may fit best with your situation. The dean will go over your needs and circumstances and various available options, including the option of a CLR, medical leave, or personal leave.