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Must enroll in at least 12 credit hours per semester.

Must enroll in a full course of study as certified by the institution.

• Master’s Programs: 9 credits per term (Fall & Spring Terms Required).
• Doctoral Programs: 9 credits per term or registered for ongoing dissertation with guidance. (Fall & Spring Terms Required).
• UHUB Programs: 6 credits per term (Fall, Spring, & Summer Terms Required).

Must take a combination of clock hours and credits as indicated in their plan of study.

Must meet one of the following requirements:

• 18 clock hours per week if the majority of instruction takes place in a classroom setting.

• 22 clock hours per week if the majority of instruction occurs outside the classroom, such as in laboratory settings.

Only one online course (maximum of 3 credits) per term may count toward full-time enrollment requirements.

Online or distance learning courses cannot be counted toward the full course of study requirement.

• Traditional (T): 0–29% online – Majority of instruction occurs in person.

• HyFlex (HF): Permitted only if the student attends fully in person.

• Hybrid/Blended (B): 30–79% online – Requires in-person attendance for a portion of the course.

• Asynchronous Self-Paced Class (OA): 100% online – No scheduled live sessions.

• Synchronous and Asynchronous Class (OC): 100% online – A mix of scheduled live sessions and self-paced content.

• Synchronous Real-Time Class (OS): 100% online – Requires attendance at scheduled live sessions.

Students in their first semester who encounter academic challenges may be eligible for an RCL under the following conditions:

• Initial difficulty with the English language or reading requirements.

• Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods.

• Improper course level placement.

Students who need less than full-time enrollment in their final semester to complete their degree requirements may qualify for an RCL. If the student is not required to take any additional courses to satisfy the requirements for completion, but continues to be enrolled for administrative purposes, the student is considered to have completed the course of study and must take action to maintain status. Such action may include application for change of status or departure from the U.S.

Eligibility Requirements

• Prior authorization from International Services is required.

• RCL must consist of at least six credits or half the required clock hours for a full course of study.

• Authorization is only granted once and only in the final semester.

• All academic requirements must be completed by the last day of classes for the authorized term.

• A degree audit and authorization from an academic advisor are required to confirm that all degree requirements will be met in the final semester.

Students experiencing a temporary illness or medical condition that prevents them from maintaining full-time enrollment may qualify for an Reduced Course Load.

Eligibility Requirements

• Prior authorization from International Services is required.

• Students must submit medical documentation from a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or clinical psychologist to the DSO to substantiate the illness or medical condition.

• Authorization is valid for the current academic term and must be requested for any additional term.

• A student is eligible for a period of authorized reduced course load for up to an aggregate total of 12 months

Students must complete all necessary steps for a medical leave of absence  through Academic Services.

• Consultation: Students must consult with their academic advisor and DSO before dropping below full-time enrollment.
• Deadline: The deadline to request a full course of study exemption is the first day of classes (per the academic calendar).
• Submission: Eligible students must submit the “Reduced Course Load Exemption” request via the International Services Portal.