Enrollment Requirements

Full-Time Enrollment Requirements

International students in F-1 or J-1 status are legally required to maintain full-time enrollment throughout each term of their program, uphold good academic standing, and make satisfactory academic progress toward their program objective.

Full-time enrollment at Rowan University is generally defined as 12 or more credit hours per semester for undergraduate students and 9 credit hours per semester for graduate students. One (3 credit) online course may be used each semester to be counted toward the 12 or 9 credit full-time enrollment requirements. Students whose final term is in the summer are not permitted to register exclusively for online courses. Students who have authorization to take a reduced course load (see below) and will take only one course in a semester are not permitted to take that course online. If necessary, they may need to register for an additional in-person class so they are not exclusively registered for on-line classes.

Summer Enrollment

Unless eligible for a reduced course load (RCL), full-time enrollment in the summer IS required for international students beginning or finishing their program of study in the summer term. Students may only count one online course in the summer term towards their full-time enrollment of 12 or 9 credits. Students who will take only one course in ANY term (including summer if it a student’s first of final term) are not permitted to take that course online.

Maintaining Full-Time Status

International students need to register for and MAINTAIN through the entirety of the semester a full course of study that follows the above requirements. Dropping below full-time, or taking too many online classes, is an automatic violation of the F-1 and J-1 visa status.

Reduced Course Loads (RCLs)

Dropping below full-time ALWAYS requires authorization in advance from ISSS. Enrollment in less than a full-time course load MAY be authorized in the following situations.

1. If the student is medically unable to maintain a full-time course load (with letter of recommendation from licensed clinical psychologist or medical doctor).
2. If the student is having difficulty during the first semester of their degree due to (1) initial difficulties with the English language, (2) with the reading requirements, (3) unfamiliarity with American teaching methods, or (4) the student has been placed in or advised by their academic advisor to take a course at an improper course level (with letter of explanation from Graduate Coordinator/Academic Advisor).
3. If the student is in their final semester.

If you are eligible for one of these exceptions, you must receive authorization from ISSS first. Dropping below full-time enrollment without authorization in place is a violation of your visa status.

Please log in to your Terra Dotta portal Control Panel to view step-by-step instructions for the Reduced Course Load Request.