For most purposes, a full-time student is defined as one who is registered for 9 or more credits. Graduate and teaching assistants who hold standard half-time (one-third line) academic appointments register their assistantships for 6 E credits (for which no tuition fee is to be paid). These 6 E credits, together with 3 credits of courses or research, qualify them as full-time students for official purposes. (Graduate and teaching assistants on partial appointments register for proportionately fewer E credits.) All courses, including both courses of research and regular courses undertaken "not-for-credit" (E and N prefixes), are counted in measuring the student's recordable program of work. These regulations govern student fees, statistical records, residence requirements, and other issues affected by definitions of full-time and part-time status. Some exceptions to the 9-credit rule may occur through arrangements with relevant administrative offices, especially for students who have already accumulated the minimum number of credits required for their degrees.
International students may pursue a full course of study at all times. A "full course of study" does not always mean a full-time credit course load. An explanation of the difference can be found on the website of the Center for International Faculty and Student Services.
