Credit Hour Requirements
F-1 international students are required to pursue a full course of study and maintain a specific number of credit hours per semester in order to comply with USCIS regulations. If a student falls below these hours, they are out of status. The requirements for FULL TIME enrollment are as follows:
- Undergraduate – 12 credit hours
- Graduate – 9 credit hours
- PhD./Doctorate – 6 credit hours
Students who are in their last semester before degree completion/graduation may be enrolled less than full time.
Students must also be enrolled in classes commensurate with their degree level: Graduate students MUST take graduate level courses, not undergraduate. If the degree requires classes at a lower degree level, check with the Academic Advisor and IMP BEFORE enrolling.
If there is a medical, family, financial, or some other emergency that requires the student to drop below a full course of study, they must contact IMP immediately.
