Registration Requirements

Registration Requirements

*This table is applicable to the semester of admission and any subsequent fall and spring semesters, except the final semester. In subsequent summer semesters, registration is not required unless the academic department requires registration, the student has an assistantship/fellowship, the student is authorized for CPT, or the student plans to graduate. Please refer to the Final Semester Minimum Requirements table regarding final semester registration.

Online Restrictions

Online Enrollment Restrictions Applicable to All Students

Online refers to any course that is EDGE or offered principally through the use of “distance education, television, audio, or computer transmission including open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, or satellite, audio conferencing, or computer conferencing” that does not have any physical presence requirements in the course.

• During fall and spring semesters, students may not take only online credits.  Up to three online credits can count towards the full-time course load; the remainder of the credits that count towards the full-time course load must have physical presence requirements.
• During summer semesters, students may take any number of online credits except in the semester of admission (if admitted in summer) or the semester of graduation (if graduating in summer).
• In the final semester, if a student needs less than a full course load to satisfy graduation requirements, then the number of credits taken cannot be online only, online credits cannot exceed physical presence credits, and online credits cannot exceed three.

Thesis/Dissertation Phase

Enrollment Requirements for Master’s Thesis and Doctoral Students

Students who are Master’s Thesis or Doctoral, and have finished all core and elective courses and only need research credits to complete their degree requirements, may register for a minimum of three research credits each Fall/Spring semester and a minimum of two research credits each summer until they graduate. No special authorization is required in this situation. Students with an assistantship/fellowship must maintain the minimum registration requirements set forth by the assistantship/fellowship contract.

Final Semester

Final Semester Minimum Registration Requirements

In the final semester, students are automatically allowed to register less than full-time as indicated in the table below. No special authorization is required in this situation. Students with an assistantship/fellowship must maintain the minimum registration requirements set forth by the assistantship/fellowship contract. If a student needs less than a full course load to satisfy graduation requirements, then the number of credits taken cannot be online only, online credits cannot exceed physical presence credits, and online credits cannot exceed three.

Drop/Withdrawal Requests

Studying is the main purpose for an F-1 international student to come to the United States. Thus, it is important that international students not take any action that detracts from that purpose. While studying in the United States, international students must attend and pass all classes. However, if academic or medical difficulties impede the student’s academic performance, there are some options available.

• If a situation arises that merits dropping a course, and the reason for the drop is one allowed by the immigration rules, the student must review the Reduced Course Load (RCL) page to request approval for the RCL.
• If taking a break from school is necessary, the student should review the Leave of Absence (LOA) page to request authorization for the LOA.
• In the case of an RCL or an LOA, approval from UFIC must be obtained first, before the drop or withdrawal can occur.
• For information regarding dropping a class after the drop/add deadline, please review the Reduced Course Load options