On This Page: Minimum Units Required • Normal Progress • Summer and Winter Terms
Minimum Units Required
You must enroll in at least 12 units every fall and spring semester. At least 9 units must be in-person or hybrid (flex in-person). After the semester begins, a minimum unit restriction in UAccess will prevent you from dropping below 12 units. Use the swap function if you need to change your schedule.
Review Full-Time Enrollment Exemption for information about dropping below 12 units for final semester, medical conditions or academic difficulty.
Live Online and iCourses
- If you are in F-1 status, only 1 class or 3 units count towards full-time enrollment each semester. You can take additional Live Online and iCourses above 12 units.
- If you are in J-1 status, you can only enroll in 1 online class total each semester.
Special Considerations for J-1 Exchange Students
- Only 3 units of Independent Study count toward full-time enrollment. Submit a copy of the Independent Study plan to ISS.
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 2.0, however, some majors may require a higher GPA. Talk to your academic advisor to learn about course and GPA requirements for your major.
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
- Grade Replacement Opportunity (GRO) - Counts towards full-time enrollment, however, you cannot use GRO in your final semester if it is your only class and you do not need to receive a higher grade to earn your diploma.
- 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
Continuing Students:
- You must enroll in at least 12 units during the summer.
- At least one class must begin on your I-20 start date, and that class must be in-person or hybrid (flex in-person).
- Only 1 class or 3 units total of live online and iCourses count towards the 12-unit requirement for full-time enrollment.
New Admits:
- You must enroll in at least 6 units during the summer (requires approval from the Office of the Registrar to be considered full-time).
- At least one class must begin on your I-20 start date, and that class must be in-person or hybrid (flex in-person).
- Only 1 class or 3 units total of live online and iCourses count towards the 6-unit requirement for full-time enrollment.
Completing in Summer or Winter
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.