Advising for International Ph.D. Students
Minimum Required Courseload for Full-Time University Students: 9 credits
Minimum Required Courseload for Bridge Students: 3 credits (Maximum: 3 credits)
Acceptable Reasons for Reduced Courseload
|
Reason |
Minimum Allowable Credits |
Student Action |
Advisor Action |
| Adjustment to U.S. academic system (first semester only) |
6-8 credits |
Submit Reduced Courseload Request Form (RCL) to ISSS |
None |
| Medical issue |
0-8 credits |
Submit RCL and documentation from physician to ISSS |
None |
| Advisor error (e.g. registered student for class and student didn't have pre-requisites) |
6-8 credits |
Submit RCL to advisor and then to ISSS |
Sign RCL and attach letter of explanation |
| All coursework completed, dissertation only remaining |
1-8 credits |
Submit RCL to ISSS |
Sign RCL |
| Graduate Assistantship |
1-8 credits |
Submit RCL to advisor and then to ISSS |
Sign RCL |
| Final semester of program (GRAD999, as an audit class, does not meet Immigration requirements.) |
1-8 credits |
Submit RCL to advisor and then to ISSS |
Sign RCL |
UNacceptable Reasons for Reduced Courseload
| completing work for an incomplete from a previous semester |
fear of failing a class or lowering of GPA |
| insufficient funds |
no classes available that the student wants to take |
Summer Semester:
*Students who are continuing in a program from spring into fall are not required to register for the summer. This is also true for F-1 or J-1 students transferring from another school.
*If a student is new to the U.S. and is starting a program in the summer, s/he must be enrolled in at least six (6) credits.
When Students Request Your SIgnature on Their Paperwork
