Reduced Course Load

Full-Time Studies

• Undergraduate Students
  Full-time enrollment requires at least 12 credit hours each semester except when you need a lesser course load to complete the course of study during the current term. You MUST see your academic dean and contact an OIS advisor. 

• Graduate Students
  For immigration purposes, 9 credit hours each semester is considered full-time. If you are taking fewer than 9 credits, you may file a "Deviation from Full Course of Study Form", signed by your academic advisor and return it to the OIS for approval.

You are responsible for filing a "Deviation from Full Course of Study Form" with the Office of International Students each semester engaged in such activity.

You do not need to apply for reduced course load if you drop below full time requirement during the last semester of your study.

Exceptions to Full-Time Enrollment

There are exceptions to the full-time requirement. Contact the OIS if you believe you must enroll part-time or if you have any questions about this topic. If your reason is valid, it would be properly documented and approved by the International Student Advisor prior to registration. Failure to obtain prior authorization from the OIS advisor will cause the student to fall out of status and bar him/her from on-campus employment, practical training, school transfer and change of status. If you have already lost student status by not enrolling full-time in a previous semester, you should make an appointment to discuss your case with an OIS advisor.