Graduate Enrollment Guide
This page provides enrollment guidelines for Fall, Spring, and Summer terms, including full-time enrollment requirements, assistantship requirements, graduation enrollment requirements, international student considerations, and other important enrollment policies.
Important: Every student should print a copy of their class schedule and verify enrollment before the term begins. It is the student's responsibility to ensure enrollment accuracy. Errors resulting from student action (or inaction) may not be correctable after the final enrollment deadline.
-
Fall & Spring Enrollment Requirements
Domestic Students
Student Status Minimum Enrollment Full-time student 9 credit hours Assistantship 0.50 FTE or greater 6 credit hours Assistantship less than 0.50 FTE 9 credit hours Domestic graduate students’ eligibility for federal financial aid is based on several factors, including actual enrollment hours. Students should consult the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid for specific information.
International Students
Student Status Minimum Enrollment Continuing international student 9 credit hours Assistantship 0.50 FTE or greater 6 credit hours Assistantship less than 0.50 FTE 9 credit hours International students on F-1 and J-1 visas must maintain full-time enrollment during Fall and Spring semesters unless approved for a final semester exception.
First-Semester International Students
Student Status Minimum Enrollment No assistantship 9 credit hours Assistantship 0.50 FTE or greater 6 credit hours Assistantship less than 0.50 FTE 9 credit hours -
Summer Enrollment Requirements
Domestic Students
Student Status Minimum Enrollment Full-time student 3 credit hours Assistantship 0.50 FTE or greater 2 credit hours Assistantship less than 0.50 FTE 2 credit hours Out-of-state tuition waiver recipient 2 credit hours International Students
Continuing international students are generally not required to enroll during the summer to maintain immigration status unless required by assistantship, graduation, or other visa-related requirements. Students should consult the Office of International Students and Scholars for complete details.
Student Status Minimum Enrollment Full-time student 3 credit hours Assistantship 0.50 FTE or greater 2 credit hours Assistantship less than 0.50 FTE 2 credit hours Out-of-state tuition waiver recipient 2 credit hours First-Semester International Students
Student Status Minimum Enrollment Full-time student 3 credit hours Any assistantship 2 credit hours -
Enrollment Requirements for Graduating Students
Fall, Spring, and Summer:
- Students graduating in any semester who do not hold an assistantship and do not need to be declared full-time must be enrolled in a minimum of 2 credit hours.
International Students:
- International students in their final semester who do not hold an assistantship or need full-time status must be enrolled in a minimum of 2 credit hours.
- Students on OPT or CPT must also be enrolled in at least 2 credit hours during their final semester.
- Students should consult the Office of International Students and Scholars for complete details.
Use of University Resources:
- Any semester in which a student uses university resources, including faculty supervision, thesis/dissertation work, comprehensive examinations, creative components, defenses, or research activities, requires enrollment in at least 2 credit hours appropriate to the work being performed.
-
Important Enrollment Policies
Student Responsibilities:
- Students are responsible for verifying their enrollment and course schedule before each term begins. Enrollment errors resulting from student action may not be correctable after enrollment deadlines.
Visa Issues:
- H-1 visa holders may not hold graduate assistantships or enroll in a full course of study.
Facility Use:
- Students must be enrolled in courses to access university facilities and services, including computer labs, library services, the Colvin Center, and other university resources.
Health Insurance:
- Fall/Spring: Students must hold at least a 0.25 FTE assistantship and be enrolled full-time to qualify for university-paid health insurance. International students with J-1 visas must maintain health insurance.
- Summer: Students who were covered during the previous Spring semester continue to receive health insurance coverage through the summer until the Fall semester begins.
Variable Credit Courses:
- Students enrolled in 0-ending courses such as 5000 (Thesis) and 6000 (Dissertation) should verify their enrolled credit hours. Banner defaults these courses to one credit hour, and students are responsible for adjusting enrollment if necessary.
Continuous Enrollment:
- A student who interrupts enrollment for one academic year must reapply for admission and will be subject to regulations in effect at the time of reapplication.
-
Maximum Summer Enrollment
Summer Session Maximum Session Hours Session 1 (May only) 3 hours Session 2 (June & July – 8 weeks) 9 hours Session 3 (June only) 4 hours Session 4 (July only) 4 hours Maximum enrollment across all summer sessions combined: 9 credit hours.
*Any exception must be petitioned to the Graduate College.
-
Graduation Process
Before Applying for Graduation:
- Students should review the Graduation Checklist available through the Graduate Student Community on Canvas and ensure that their Plan of Study is accurate and up to date. Meetings with advisors are strongly encouraged before graduation deadlines.
Submit a Graduation Application:
- Students must submit an online graduation application through Banner Self Service under the Student Records menu. Graduation applications must be submitted by the deadlines listed on the Graduate College Academic Calendar.
Commencement Information:
- Fall and Spring graduates participate in commencement ceremonies.
- There is no Summer commencement ceremony.
- Summer graduates are encouraged to participate in the Spring commencement ceremony.