Courseload Reductions - Tenured/Tenure-Track Faculty
COE courseload
Per COE: Workload Policies, the expected courseload for tenure-track and tenured faculty is two organized courses per long (fall or spring) semester (2/2), for a total of at least 12 semester credit hours (SCH) across the two long semesters of the same academic year. Exceptions to this require prior approval via the appropriate process, described on this page.
With the permission of the department chair, a faculty member may request an adjusted (“unbalanced”) courseload across the two long semesters of a single academic year so that one semester is light and the other heavier, e.g. teach one course in fall and three in spring for a total of four (12 SCH). Changing the distribution but not the number of courses per semester across a single academic year (e.g. fall 2026 and spring 2027) is at the discretion of the department chair and does not require additional approval but should be clearly documented in departmental records.
The courseload for nine-month faculty during the summer term May 16-August 15 is zero or one: they are not required to teach any courses, or may teach one summer course without need for approvals. Nine-month faculty teaching more than one course during the summer session require prior approvals via different and processes than for the long sessions. See more information at COE: Summer Employment - Faculty.
Which process?
Courseload > 12 SCH: If the individual courseload of a greater than 12 SCH (typically more than four courses) across both long semesters of the same academic year is proposed, the department must obtain prior approval through the Instructional Overload process. Follow instructions at COE: Additional Jobs > Instructional Overload.
Courseload < 12 SCH: If an individual courseload less than 12 SCH (typically fewer than four courses) across both long semesters of the same academic year is proposed, follow the guidance on this page. Prior approval and/or documentation is required, depending on the reason for the request.
How to use this page
Start with Flowchart A below (on the left) to determine the appropriate administrative process.
If appropriate, you will be directed by Flowchart A to Flowchart B (on the right).
Follow specific process guidance in the appropriate tab on this page.
Flowchart A
Flowchart B
Please send suggested additions to this page and notifications about broken links to COE-FacultyAffairs@austin.utexas.edu.