Full-Time Enrollment Requirements
To maintain your F-1/J-1 visa status, you must- study on a full time basis toward your program
- finish your program by the program end date listed on your Form I-20/DS-2019
| Bachelor’s: | 12 credits | LLM/SJD: | 9 credits |
| Master’s/PhD: | 9 credits (without an assistantship) | JD: | 12 credits |
| 6 credits (with an assistantship) | UCAELI: | 22 hours/week | |
| Exchange/non-degree: | 12 credits (Bachelor’s), 9 credits (Master’s/PhD) |
Online Courses
F-1 Students: Only one online course (up to 3 credits) per semester may count towards meeting your minimum registration requirement. If it is your final semester and you only have one course remaining, it cannot be an online course unless you intend to finish your program outside of the U.S. or on a different visa type. Starting Fall 2023 courses listed as "In-Person", "Hybrid", or "by Arrangement" will count as in-person. See the registrar's website for a complete listing of all course modalities. J-1 Students: No online courses may count towards meeting your minimum registration requirement.Summer Term, Vacation Term, Summer Final Term
Required Enrollment in Summer: Summer term is usually considered a vacation term, unless your academic program requires summer enrollment or it is a students final term. There are only a small number of programs that require summer enrollment (MS Financial Risk Management, MS Athletic Training, MS Surgical Neurophysiology, Doctor of Physical Therapy). If your program requires summer enrollment then you must otherwise follow the online course requirements for F-1 and J-1 visa holders (courses need to be primarily in-person). On-campus employment is restricted to 20 hours/week.
Summer Vacation Term: If your program does not require summer enrollment and you intend to enroll at UConn in fall term that follows summer, then summer is considered a vacation term. Students may choose to enroll in summer courses (online or in-person). Students may also choose not to study and travel during their vacation term. Students are permitted to work more than 20 hours/week during vacation term. See On-Campus Employment for more information.
Summer Final Term: If summer will be your last term and you will not enroll in classes fall term, then summer is not considered a vacation term. Students enrolling in coursework will need to enroll in at least one in-person course and they need to enroll at UConn. On-campus employment is restricted to 20 hours/week.
Part-Time Study - Reduced Course Load
International students must study full time each semester, unless they qualify to take a reduced course load.
Reduced Course Load for Last Semester
Eligibility: If you are in your final semester and you need less than full time credits to graduate.
Deadline: Submit by the first day of the semester you are graduating. Upload a copy of your enrollment verification with your request.
Reduced Course Load for Academic Difficulties or Medical Reasons
Eligibility based on academic difficulty: You are in your first year of study and have never taken a reduced course load for academic difficulty at the same degree level. Reasons for academic difficulty must be based on initial difficulties with English language, reading requirements, unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods or improper course level placement.
Eligibility based on medical reasons: Documented physical or mental health issue confirmed by a letter from an M.D., D.O. or licensed clinical psychologist.
Deadline to apply: Before you drop below full time enrollment. You must also make an appointment with your ISSS advisor before we can approve your request.
Academic Support for International Students
Use the University’s Academic Resources – UConn provides many on-campus resources to help UConn student succeed academically. Visit the University Resources to learn about further academic resources at your campus.