Full-time Status
You must be enrolled full-time for each of the two academic semesters (fall and spring). Summer is optional. Full-time is registering for, and completing, 12 units. Important: The equivalent of only one on-line or distance learning class (or three units) will be counted toward the full-course of study requirement.
You may be authorized to take a Reduced Course Load (RCL) under the following circumstances. A reduced course load must still consist of at least six units:
Academic Reasons
- Initial difficulty with English language or reading requirements. This reason will only be accepted in your first year of academic course work.
- Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods
- Improper course level placement
You must request permission to take a RCL before dropping below full-time. If you do not receive authorization from the DSO (International Student Program) being in a RCL you will be considered out-of-status.
You can only be authorized for a RCL one semester during any one course of study at a particular academic level. You must register for a full course of study in the next academic semester (excluding summer) after being authorized to be in a RCL.
Medical Reasons
You may be authorized to reduce your course load due to an illness or medical condition. You must bring in a letter from a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy or a licensed clinical psychologist to the DSO before dropping below a full course of study. If the illness requires you to be in less than full-time for two semesters, a second letter must be given to the DSO before the beginning of the second semester (excluding summer). You may not be authorized to be in less than full-time for medical reasons for more than one year (twelve months) for any one course of study.
You will be considered to be out-of-status if the course load reduction is not authorized before dropping below full-time.