Full-Time Enrollment
In order to maintain F-1 status, students must enroll full-time in fall and summer semesters. Summer enrollment is optional unless starting a new program. The following are the full-time requirements for immigration purposes.*
- Fall and Spring
- Undergraduates = 12 credit hours
- Graduates = 9 credit hours
- Summer, if starting a new program
- Undergraduates = 9 credit hours
- Graduates = 6 credit hours
- Summer, if not starting a new program
- Enrollment is optional
* Scholarships and academic departments may have additional requirements.
When full-time enrollment is required, the following also applies:
- All courses must apply to your degree to be counted toward the full-time requirement.
- Only 3 hours of online courses can count toward the full-time requirement.
- You cannot take all the full-time requirement hours as pre-requisite courses.
- At least one of your full-time requirement courses must cover the full semester.
- If it is your last semester, you will be considered full-time enrolled for immigration purposes if you take all remaining courses, even if the total hours is less than the normal requirements. For example: A graduate student with 2 classes left in spring will be considered full-time taking those classes, even though it is only 6 credit hours.
- If it is your last semester, if you lack only one class to complete your degree, that course cannot be taken online.
- Not enrolling in enough hours, dropping below full-time during the semester or taking too many online courses are all F-1 violations that can lead to the termination of your visa status.
Summer: Continuing student not starting a new program, enrollment is optional
- If it is your last semester and you lack only one class to complete your degree, that course cannot be taken online.
Alternative ways to meet the full-time enrollment requirement
- Concurrent enrollment - Submit a Concurrent Enrollment Form to the UT Dallas ISSO by Census Day of each semester.
- Graduating semester - Apply for graduation or submit a Reduced Enrollment Form to the ISSO by Census Day of your final semester.
- Authorized, full-time CPT – Alternative available one fall or spring semester per year, a number of restrictions apply.
- Study Abroad – Students who participate in UT Dallas –approved study abroad programs are enrolled full-time in a special UT Dallas course. For information about study abroad opportunities and requirements, contact the Office of International Education.
Updated: May 24, 2012