Six credits in a five-week session is considered a full load. One credit in one week or three credits in three weeks is also considered a full load. For a five-week session, a student may register for seven credits without filling out an overload petition only if the student is enrolled in one three-credit and one four-credit course. The courses must meet for all five weeks of the session. Any other seven-credit combination requires a completed overload petition on file in the Registrar's Office.

Overloads are discouraged and will be approved only under special circumstances. To request an overload a student in a UNLV degree program fills out an overload petition obtained from the Registrar's Office, obtains all required signatures, and presents the completed petition to the Registrar's office. Non-degree students follow the same procedure except that the Director of Summer Term signs as department chair and college dean. Graduate students need approval from the Graduate Dean. If you enroll in an overload situation and if you do not have an overload petition on file, you are in danger of being administratively dropped subject to fee penalties in effect at the time your registration is canceled.