To assist you in making the most of your study and work at the university, you must enroll in and complete a minimum of six (6) academic credit hours per semester. Thus, the minimum academic load must be twelve (12) academic credit hours during the academic year. Some variation between semesters can be accomplished, for example, five (5) credits in one semester and seven (7) credits in the next. However, this situation will require approval by the graduate dean. Individuals holding appointments during Spring and/or Summer must be enrolled in a minimum of one course.

If you are required to be considered a "full-time" student for any reason (e.g., loan deferment), you then must be registered for a minimum of eight (8) credit hours, which is full-time for graduate students as outlined in the Graduate Student Catalog. The Graduate School cannot make exceptions to these requirements because you have been awarded an assistantship.

When you near the end of your degree program, there may be a final semester in which the degree requirements can be met by an academis load of fewer than six (6) credits. Under these circumstances, you may still hold a graduate assistantship and register for whatever the degree program requires as long as you are registered for at least one course. This exception must be requested in writing and will require the written approval of the graduate dean. Foreign students must comply with U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service regulations.

Implicit in the above statements is the requirement that you must be a registered student in a degree program in order to hold a graduate assistant position for any semester or session.