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Enrollment

Units Required for Full-Time Student Status

CAREER

FULL-TIME STATUS

HALF-TIME STATUS

Undergraduate

12

6

Graduate

9*

5*

*See full-time graduate student status for exceptions

International students should check with the University's International Student Services Office to ensure that their registration is in compliance with their visa status.

A student whose financial aid agreement requires enrollment during the summer should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid to verify specific requirements.

Full-Time Undergraduate Student Status

To be considered a full-time student for any term, an undergraduate student must be enrolled in 12 units during that term. Students in doubt about their standing should check with their academic advisor.

First-time students in the summer term can be considered full time at 6 units with approval of the Office of the Registrar.

Full-Time Graduate Student Status

Full-time graduate student status is defined 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.

*Does not apply to students with a graduate assistantship/associate appointment.

During summer terms, full-time graduate status consists of 6 units of enrollment in graduate credit in any combination of sessions.

More information on graduate minimum enrollment policies can be found on Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Students. Please note that some academic colleges may require more units to maintain full-time status when students are receiving financial assistance from the college. Also note that full time and minimum enrollment policies are different to maintain continuous enrollment.

Undergraduate Maximum Number of Units Allowed Per Term

Each college determines the maximum number of units that an undergraduate student may enroll in for each term and session. This maximum includes all coursework carried in residence, as well as concurrent registration in approved courses at other institutions. Approval of the college dean is required to exceed the maximum term or session units.

Term Limitations:

TERM

MAXIMUM # OF UNITS

 Fall Term

19*

 Winter Term

4

Spring Term

19*

Summer Term

18

NOTE:
* All Colleges currently allow up to 19 units per term, with the following exceptions:

  • The College of Law term maximum is 18 units

  • Medical students please consult the College of Medicine.

Session Limitations:
The following session limits apply when the student is registered for an accelerated session within a term.

TERM

MAXIMUM # OF UNITS

3 Week (Presession)

4

5 Week

7

7 Week

9

8 Week

9

10 Week

14

13 Week

18


Related Guidelines & Links:

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