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.