Full-Time Enrollment for Graduates

On This Page: Minimum Units Required • Special Considerations • Normal Progress • Summer and Winter Terms

Minimum Units Required

You must enroll full-time every fall and spring semester. Full-time graduate student status is defined in the Catalog as:

STUDENT	UNITS OF GRADUATE CREDIT NEEDED FOR FULL-TIME STATUS
Graduate student	9
Graduate Student with Assistantship/Associate appointment	6
Graduate Student enrolled in only Thesis/Dissertation (900-level courses)	3
Graduate student approved for advanced status	1-2; a minimum of 1 unit of enrollment in 900-level course or other approved graduate capstone requirement, and a maximum of 2 units for a student whose program requires an additional unit for continuous enrollment.

Special Considerations

Fully Online and Live Online Classes

If you are in F-1 status, only 1 class or 3 units count towards full-time enrollment each semester. You can enroll in more online classes beyond full-time.
If you are in J-1 status, you can only enroll in 1 online class total each semester.

On-Campus Employment

If you are employed on campus (including student hourly positions), you must enroll in at least 6 units during fall and spring semesters. See the Eligibility for Student Employment Policy for details.

Graduate Advanced Status

To qualify for Advanced Status, submit the Application for Graduate Advanced Status to the Office of the Registrar each semester (up to 6 semesters). Review the form for eligibility details.

J-1 Exchange Students

J-1 students may apply only 3 units of Independent Study toward their full-time enrollment. You must submit a copy of your Independent Study plan to ISS for review.

Full-Time Enrollment Exemptions

Review Full-Time Enrollment Exemption for information about dropping below full-time for final semester, medical conditions or academic difficulty.

Normal Progress

You must make normal progress toward completing your degree. The minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) to maintain good standing with the university is 3.0, however, some programs may require a higher GPA. Talk to your academic department to learn about course and GPA requirements for your program.

Because of the requirement to make normal progress, there are limitations on certain grading options:

O Audit Grade (courses not taken for credit) - Does not count toward full-time enrollment
I Incomplete Grade - Counts toward full-time enrollment for the semester you were enrolled in the course. If you receive an Incomplete grade for a course in your final term, you cannot remain in the U.S. to finish the requirements without enrolling. Meet with an international student advisor to discuss options.

Summer and Winter Terms

You are not required to enroll in classes during the summer or winter unless you are beginning or ending your program then. Winter and summer courses do not count toward full-time enrollment for fall and spring semesters.

Students with I-20s Starting in Summer

If your I-20 starts in summer, you must enroll in at least 6 units during that session. The mode of delivery determines whether a course counts toward full-time enrollment:

In-Person and Hybrid (Flex In-Person) - Count toward full-time enrollment
Live Online and iCourses - Only 1 class or 3 units total count towards full-time enrollment

Completing in Summer or Winter

If you have not completed all required units, you must enroll in at least one in-person or flex in-person class in the last session of your final term. For example, if you complete your degree during the 7 Week Second session, you must register for at least 1 in-person or flex in-person unit during that session. If there are no in-person or flex in-person units available, you must meet with an international student advisor before your final term begins to discuss options.

If you have completed all required units for your program, you are not required to enroll for any thesis or dissertation units. Enrollment may be required if you need library privileges or plan to use other university facilities or need significant faculty time. For more information, review the Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Students policy.