A system and method for allowing individual software modules to be reloaded in memory without forcing other modules to be reloaded at the same time. Such reloadable modules address the problem of not being able to reload a module without reloading all classes in the application. In accordance with one embodiment the root classloader and webapp classloader are reorganized, and the individual modules placed in their own classloader. This allows the developer to define their classloader organization according to their needs. The system can then reload modules or classes without affecting the rest of the application.