text: to be a full time student, how many units do i need to take every semester?   that depends on how the school is set up.  most universities use credit hours and define a full-time student as one taking 12 credit hours or more.  15 is probably average and more than that is quite challenging, but i've seen people take 18 to 21 hours and make it.  my recommendation is to take 12 to 15 each semester at least until you get the feel for college.  summers are shorter and the classes move faster.  so 6 credit hours is full-time for the summer semester.  sue