International Students and Scholars Office

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Reduced Course Load

International students are required to maintain full-time status (12 credits per semester) with a few exceptions listed below and described by Federal Regulations. International students must obtain approval from their ISSO Advisor prior to dropping below 12 credits.

To learn more about the limited exceptions to the full-time enrollment requirement see the exceptions below.

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Academic Difficulties

You may apply for an academic reduced course load if you are experiencing:

Initial difficulties with the English language and/or initial difficulty with reading requirements
Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods
Improper course level placement

If you believe that you are experiencing any of these issues, you must obtain a recommendation letter from your Academic/Program Advisor for the ISSO to consider your request for part-time enrollment. The recommendation letter must contain the following:

Brief explanation of the academic concern and how it meets one of the three academic situations above
Specific recommend that you are permitted to drop below full-time enrollment
If the exception is “improper course level placement,” the letter should describe the missing prerequisite courses or skills that prevents you from succeeding in the course

Note: An academic reduced course load may only be authorized once per academic program.

Medical Conditions

You may apply for a reduced course load if you have a temporary medical condition or illness that would require you to enroll in a less than full-time course load, or no courses at all. You must provide medical documentation issued within the past 30 days from a licensed medical doctor (MD), psychiatrist, doctor of osteopathy (DO), licensed psychologist, or clinical psychologist (Ph.D. or PsyD.) practicing in the United States. The documentation must specify if it is recommended that you enroll in a part-time course load or in no courses as well as the time period for the recommended reduced course load.

Final Semester of Study

F-1 students may be enrolled in less than 12 credits in their final semester of study provided all degree requirements have been met. No additional authorization or paperwork is required but we recommend you meet with your Academic/Program Advisor to confirm that you have met all graduation requirements.

Undergraduate students enrolled in less than a full course of study in their final term, should consult with their Academic Advisor and may need to complete the Senior Reduced Status Pre-Approval Application for the Registrar's Office.

Personal (Non-Medical) Leave

If you are eligible for a reduced course load exception, you can submit a request in the ISSO Portal.