Full Time / Part TIme Status
Full-Time
A full-time student is enrolled in at least 12 credits per term.
A full-time program may include a combination of teaching and research assistance; other work leading to the fulfillment of degree requirements, such as preparation for qualifying, comprehensive and final examinations; supervised reading and research; and PhD dissertations, as well as regular course work.
The minimum in-person residence requirement for any degree program may not be satisfied by an accelerated program of study or payment of more than the full-time tuition rate in any single academic year.
Part-Time
Some programs allow students to apply as part-time students at the time of admission. A part-time student is enrolled in fewer than 12 credits in a term.
Students who wish to change their status from full-time to part-time residency must contact their Dean and the Dean for Graduate Studies to make that request. Students are assumed to be full-time until such a request is made. However, moving from full-time to part-time status can have significant loan or immigration status implications, so students should consult with the appropriate financial aid staff and the ISSO before requesting this change. Some programs may not accommodate part-time status and therefore the request to change status may be denied.
Extended Master Students
In special situations a Master's student who has completed residence requirements may be permitted to remain at the university while completing degree requirements. Such an "extended Master student" should register for the appropriate courses required to complete his/her program and will be permitted to utilize the full range of academic services and university facilities.
Post-Resident Students
A graduate student who has completed residence requirements and who needs to utilize the full range of academic services and university facilities while completing degree requirements is a post-resident student. This includes doctoral students who do not have approved dissertation proposals. Post-resident students must enroll in a status course (CONT 500a), as they are considered to be full-time students.
Continuation Students
A doctoral student who has completed all degree requirements (including the dissertation proposal hearing) except the dissertation is eligible for continuation status. Students in this category must enroll in a status course (CONT 250a in the summer term and CONT 500a in the fall and spring terms), as they are considered to be full-time students. Full-time continuation students are eligible for university health insurance, borrowing privileges in the Library, a computer account, use of gym facilities, and purchase of a parking sticker. Students who intend to complete their PhD for an August 31 degree date are administratively enrolled in CONT 250a when an online Application for Degree is received. The summer registration fee is waived for PhD candidates.