Students may reduce their course load below full time for either academic or medical reasons. In both cases, they must first obtain authorization, in writing, from the International Students Office before they drop classes or fail to enroll full time.

Academic reasons, such as initial difficulty with English language, or unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods, or improper course level placement, must be documented by professors or academic advisors. The government allows a student with approved documentation of the above noted cases to reduce their course load to 6 hours minimum enrollment, and only once per academic level. Such students must resume a full course load for the next and all remaining regular semesters.

Thesis and Dissertation students may enroll for as little as one credit hour of thesis or dissertation courses, if they have completed all other course requirements prior to the reduced course load while on thesis / dissertation.

Students in their final semester may take a reduced course load if only one or two classes are needed to complete the degree. It is important to note that students may not continue to be enrolled only for internship purposes if all degree requirements are met.

Medical reasons including illness, injury, pregnancy and maternity leave must be documented; that documentation must be in the International Students Office prior to any reduced enrollment. Students with a doctor’s note may reduce their course load to zero credit hours for a total of 12 months per academic level. The documentation must come from a licensed Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, or licensed Clinical Psychologist before dropping courses or failing to enroll for the term. This documentation must be renewed each semester that the student is absent, or under reduced course load.

Students must notify the International Students Office before dropping below full time.