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 Office of International Student Services.
