William & Mary
Close menu Resources for... William & Mary
Popular Topics
Suggested Results
News Events
Apply Visit Request Info
W&M menu close William & Mary
University Registrar

Variable Credit and Auditing

Students can use PATH for many actions including updating credit hours for a variable credit course. Students seeking to audit a course may not select audit through PATH. Details about each are listed below.

Changing the Credit hours on a Variable Credit Course

If you register for a course that is variable credit (ex. from 1.00 to 3.00 credit hours) you may select the number of credit hours you want. If you select a variable credit course, the system will automatically register you for the minimum number of credit hours allowed for this course. To make changes, use the Schedule and Options tab in Banner 9 Register for Classes. 

Please note that updating the credit hours for a variable credit course is only available through the add/drop window. You only need to complete these steps if you are taking the course for more than the minimum number of credit hours allowed.

Step-by-step Instructions - Video and PDF instructions are also available
  1. Log in to Banner Self-Service, click the Registration link in the Student tab, then click Banner 9 Register for Classes.
  2. On the landing page, choose "Register, Add/Drop & Withdraw" 
  3. Select your term from the drop-down menu and click the "Continue" button. Select the Schedule and Options tab on the next page.
  4.  In the Summary panel at the top of the Schedule and Options tab, a variable credit course will appear with the credit hours underlined and the hours will be clickable. Click on the credit hours to reveal how many credit hours a course can be taken for (ex. 1.00 to 3.00.). In the selection box, enter the number of credit hours you wish to take.
  5. Click the "Submit" button in the bottom right corner. If you do not SUBMIT, your changes will NOT be saved. 
    • A "Save Successful" message will appear in the top right corner under your name if your changes have been saved.
Audit Status

You may not select Audit as a course option via PATH. To audit a course, undergraduate students must complete the Permission to Audit (pdf) form. Graduate students, please contact the Graduate Registrar for your program of study.

You must also visit the Registrar's office to take a course at a different level than that indicated on the course.