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Full-Time Enrollment Requirements for F-1 Students

Online Courses 

For F-1 visa holding international students, online course eligibility is extremely limited while the individual is inside the U.S. Online degree programs are not compatible with the F-1 visa, and for students pursuing regular degrees, online course permission is extremely limited.

Credit Hours 

Undergrads: For undergraduates inside the U.S. on an F-1 student visa or holding F-1 visa status, a minimum of 12 credit hours of enrollment is required in all regular semesters. Only ONE online course can be counted toward the F-1 enrollment requirement. 

Graduate: For grad students, a minimum of 9 credit hours of enrollment is required in all regular semesters. Only ONE online course can be counted toward the F-1 enrollment requirement. 

Intensive English for Internationals: For students who are solely pursuing the Intensive English for Internationals program, no online classes may count towards minimum enrollment requirements.

Dropping Below Full-Time Hours

Students that are in the United States on F-1 and J-1 visas are required to attend classes full-time each semester. If it is necessary for the student to drop below full-time hours, they must complete a Request Authorization for Reduced Course Load form. Any student that drops below full-time without prior approval will be considered out of status. Please see the full-time hour requirements below.

 Level of Education   Credit Hours Required for Full-Time Students
 Undergraduate  12 credit hours
 Graduate  9 credit hours

 

Immigration Regulations allow certain reasons for students to take a reduced course load:

  • Initial difficulty with the English language or reading requirements
  • Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods
  • Improper course level placement
  • Temporary illness or medical condition
  • During the final term, semester or session, if fewer courses are needed to complete the course of study.
  • Graduate students who have reached the dissertation-only, thesis-only, or final-project only/capstone project phase of studies. All previous classes must be complete before students are allowed to take a reduced course load.

You should contact the ISS Office if:

  • You have a medical issue and have obtained a doctor's note that suggests withdrawal from classes.
  • You have any academic difficulty requiring course deletion.

Reminder: You should not remain in classes beyond the completion of your program. 

Request for Reduced Course Load Form