Do international students need to be registered fulltime?
  • International students on an F-1 or J-1 visa must be registered for a full course of study (12 credit hours for undergraduates and 9 credit hours for graduate students) in classes that meet their degree requirements during the fall and spring semesters.
What about summer course registration?
  • Summer enrollment is optional for international students unless it is required by the academic department or program, or if the summer semester is the student’s first semester at Auburn.
  • All graduate students who are employed and being paid on an assistantship during the summer semester must be enrolled for at least one credit hour in order to work/be paid.
  • International students graduating in the summer must enroll in at least 1 credit.
  • International students who begin their studies during the summer are required to enroll in a full course load during their first summer session.
Can international students ever be registered part time?
  • A Reduced Course Load (RCL) can be requested through the Office of International Programs (OIP) under specific special circumstances. These circumstances are a student’s (1) Final Term, (2) Academic issues (First Year Only), and (3) Medical issues. Please contact OIP for the specific requirements and procedures.
  • PhD students who have completed their General Oral Exam and all course work for their degree may register for one hour of research and dissertation. In such cases, the Graduate School will concurrently register the students for the GRAD 6AA0 course (fall/spring, summer not required). This is a non-credit course and identifies the student as having a full course load.
What if my graduation is delayed? Do I need to file the RCL form again?
  • International students who have completed their coursework and did not successfully defend their thesis/dissertation/project/e-Portfolio should contact OIP immediately, as the I-20 was shortened once the original RCL form was processed. A student who has requested an RCL for their final term has already been reported to the federal government that they are completing their program. Extensions should be avoided at any cost. International Students & Scholars Services (ISSS) will review requests on a case-by-case basis. There is no guarantee an extension will be possible.
  • Next, notify your Graduate School Matriculation Advisor that you were scheduled to graduate in the current term, but now need to move your graduation date to the following semester.
  • ISSS will advise you on the optimal course registration for the final semester so that you can maintain visa status and compliance with federal regulations.
Should I apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) through the Office of International Programs?
  • Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows international students to work off campus in a position that is part of their curriculum/program. Students on CPT during the fall and/or spring semesters need to enroll fulltime. CPT during the summer has to be a minimum of one credit hour but is not required to be fulltime. All CPT requests will need to be reviewed and approved by ISSS.
  • Doctoral students who are considered ABD and therefore enrolled in the GRAD 6AA0 course may take fewer than 9 credit hours. Please contact your faculty advisor and/or GPO for further clarification or registration instructions.
What if my program requires an internship/externship/practicum or clinical rotation that is less than 9 credit hours but considered fulltime for my program?
  • Any exceptions will need to be reviewed and approved by both the Graduate School and ISSS prior to a student requesting CPT. Any internship will require authorized CPT.