I'm sorry if these questions are dumb, but coming from another country there's a lot of US university system that I still don't get:
1) Can you take more classes than what your program includes? For example, TIE's an 8 course program. Could I take 10 courses instead? Should I have to pay for those additional courses?
2) If the answer is no, what would be the benefit of taking 5 classes? So your next semester is lighter?
3) How much is a credit in class time?