Ibrahim Gardner
Temple University is an educational institution that offers a variety of academic programs and opportunities for its students. The university has specific criteria for classifying students as full-time, which is essential for maintaining legal status, particularly for international students. Undergraduate students at Temple University are considered full-time when registered for a minimum of twelve credits, while graduate students must meet a nine-credit threshold or possess a full-time equivalency course load. International students, in particular, are required to maintain full-time enrollment status, and specific circumstances, such as assistantships, thesis research, and medical conditions, can influence their full-time designation. Time status, or enrollment status, is a crucial consideration for students, impacting their legal standing, tuition fees, and access to resources like email and library services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate full-time status | Registered for a minimum of 12 credits |
| Graduate full-time status | Registered for 9 credits or a full-time equivalent course load |
| Graduate full-time status (international students) | Enrolled in 6 credits during the fall and spring semesters, with an assistantship requiring at least 20 hours of service per week |
| Graduate full-time status (thesis or dissertation research/writing stage) | Registered for a minimum of 1 credit |
| Graduate full-time status (final semester of coursework) | Must be in compliance with the Graduate School's "Full-time Policy" |
| Graduate full-time status (completed coursework and preparing for comps/prelims) | Must be in compliance with the Graduate School's "Full-time Policy" |
| Graduate full-time status (medical condition) | Must have a medical condition that prohibits a full-time course load, with appropriate documentation |
| Graduate full-time status (final course requirements) | May register for the amount of credits needed to complete the degree, even if it is less than full-time |
| Graduate full-time status (first semester) | May need time to adjust to the American classroom, English language, or intensive reading requirements |
| Full-time enrollment (international students) | Required to maintain full-time enrollment status every fall and spring semester; summer sessions may be excluded |
| Full-time enrollment (online courses) | Only one "online" course counts towards full-time enrollment per fall or spring semester |
| Full-time enrollment (graduate level) | Some courses, such as dissertation, may carry full-time status regardless of registered credits |
| Full-time enrollment (exceptions) | Students enrolled in Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, or Podiatric Medicine professional programs are considered full-time regardless of registered credits |
| Full-time enrollment (over 18 credits) | Requires special approval from the Director and carries additional tuition charges |
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What You'll Learn
Undergraduate students need 12 credits
Undergraduate students at Temple University need a minimum of 12 credits to be considered full-time students. This is a general rule, but there are exceptions and other factors that can influence a student's full-time status.
Firstly, it's important to note that time status, or enrollment status, is determined by the number of credits a student is registered for in a given term. While 12 credits are the minimum for full-time status, taking on more credits can impact a student's tuition fees and require special approval. For instance, 19 or more semester hours are considered an academic overload and will result in additional tuition charges. In such cases, students must seek approval from the Director and discuss their options with their academic advisor.
International students, in particular, have specific requirements to maintain their status. They must be enrolled full-time every fall and spring semester, and this includes having a minimum of three in-person classes and one online class. During the summer session, international students are not required to register unless their academic department mandates it.
Students facing medical issues or other exceptional circumstances may also be eligible for a reduced course load. In such cases, they must submit a "Request for a Reduced Course Load" form, and it is not guaranteed that their request will be approved. It's important to note that financial restrictions are not considered valid grounds for part-time status.
Additionally, students wishing to withdraw from a course that would reduce their credit count below the full-time minimum must first have their reduced course load approved by the relevant office. This is to ensure that their status remains compliant with the university's policies and that they do not face any unintended consequences, especially in the case of international students with visa requirements.
In conclusion, while undergraduate students at Temple University typically need a minimum of 12 credits to be considered full-time, there are various factors and exceptions that can influence this status. Students are advised to consult with their academic advisors and the relevant university offices to ensure they maintain the correct enrollment status and meet their academic goals.
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Graduate students need 9 credits
At Temple University, graduate students need to be enrolled in 9 credits to be considered full-time students. This is in contrast to undergraduate students, who are required to register for a minimum of 12 credits to be considered full-time.
Graduate students at Temple University must adhere to the graduate school's "Full-time Policy" regarding full-time enrollment. This policy outlines specific requirements for full-time status, such as enrolling in at least 9 credits. It's important to note that graduate students who have completed the required coursework for their degree may need to enroll in specific courses or projects to maintain their full-time status.
International graduate students at Temple University are automatically considered full-time students for immigration purposes under certain conditions. For example, if a graduate student holds a full-time assistantship or externship requiring at least 20 hours of service per week, they must be enrolled in 6 credits during the fall and spring semesters to be considered full-time. Additionally, graduate students in their final semester of coursework, advancing to the research stage in the next semester, must comply with the Graduate School's "Full-time Policy."
It's worth mentioning that graduate students at Temple University can request a reduced course load under specific circumstances. For instance, a student with a medical condition preventing them from taking a full-time course load must provide medical documentation. Similarly, a student in their first semester at Temple University who needs time to adjust to the American classroom or the English language may be eligible for a reduced course load. In such cases, the student's academic advisor must complete and submit a "Request for a Reduced Course Load" form. However, financial restrictions are not a valid reason for part-time status, and students with financial difficulties are expected to maintain their full-time student status.
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International students must maintain full-time status
International students at Temple University are required to maintain full-time enrolment status to keep their legal status in the United States. This means enrolling in at least 12 credits, or three in-person classes and one online class, during the fall and spring semesters. Graduate students must be enrolled in nine or more credits of coursework until all coursework is completed.
International students on an F-1 visa must complete a full course of study, which is 12 credits for undergraduate students and nine credits for graduate students. They must also attend the college/university that USCIS has authorised them to attend (the school that issued the Form I-20). Students must request a new Form I-20 to reflect any changes in their major or funding.
To maintain full-time status, international students can count only one online course towards their full-time enrolment per semester. They are not required to register for summer sessions unless their academic department requires it. However, during the final semester to complete their program, students are required to enrol in at least one in-person class, even if it is during the summer.
International students at Temple University can also benefit from various dedicated scholarships. These scholarships are available to all international students, and students are encouraged to reach out to their specific college to learn about scholarships available in their departments.
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Students can request a reduced course load
At Temple University, a full-time student is defined as one who is enrolled in at least 12 semester hours or credits. This typically translates to around 15–17 semester hours, with any credits above 18 incurring additional tuition charges. Students must maintain full-time registration every fall and spring semester, though the summer semester is not mandatory unless specified by their academic department.
To be eligible for a reduced course load, students must meet specific conditions. For example, if a student is facing a serious medical or family emergency that prevents them from completing their classes, they may petition for a Withdrawal with Approved Excuse (WE). In some cases, students may be granted permission to stop out, which involves not enrolling in coursework for an upcoming semester. However, they must ensure they have no outstanding contracts with the university, such as housing, meal plans, or financial aid.
Graduate students must also comply with the graduate school policy regarding full-time enrollment. To be designated as full-time, graduate students who have completed their required coursework must be enrolled in at least 1 semester hour of a culminating experience or project required to complete their degree.
It is important to note that students cannot self-register for a regular full-term fall or spring class after the first week of the term. Therefore, any requests for a reduced course load should be made as early as possible in consultation with the relevant academic advisor.
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Full-time enrollment is required every fall and spring semester
Full-time enrollment is a requirement for every fall and spring semester at Temple University. Undergraduate students need to be registered for a minimum of twelve credits to be considered full-time, while graduate students need to be enrolled in nine credits or a full-time equivalency course load. Students enrolled in Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, or Podiatric Medicine professional programs are considered full-time regardless of the number of registered credits.
For international students, maintaining full-time enrollment status is crucial for visa purposes. They must be enrolled in at least twelve credits, with a minimum of three in-person classes and one online class. If an international student wishes to withdraw from a course, they must first seek approval from the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to ensure they remain compliant with the requirements.
Graduate students at Temple University have specific criteria to be designated as full-time. For instance, a graduate student who holds an assistantship requiring a minimum of 20 hours of service per week must be enrolled in 6 credits during the fall and spring semesters. Additionally, if a graduate student is at the thesis or dissertation research/writing stage, they need to be registered for a minimum of 1 credit.
Students who wish to reduce their course load should consult their academic advisor and submit a "Request for a Reduced Course Load" form. However, financial restrictions are not a valid reason for part-time status. Students with a medical condition that prohibits a full-time course load may submit medical documentation to support their request for a reduced course load.
It is important to note that students cannot self-register for a regular full-term fall or spring class after the first week of the term. Any registration during the second week requires written permission from the instructor and assistance from their academic advisor.
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Frequently asked questions
Undergraduate students are considered full-time when they are registered for a minimum of twelve credits. Graduate students are considered full-time when they are registered for nine credits or a full-time equivalency course load.
Students who want to change from full-time to part-time must have their academic advisors complete and submit a "Request for a Reduced Course Load" form. Students are required to be registered full-time before they apply for a reduced course load.
Students taking a leave of absence must complete a "Leave of Absence Request" form and submit it to their department advisor. Students who do not return following the approved term for their leave of absence or who did not apply for a leave of absence and are not enrolled for two consecutive terms must apply for readmission.
Application deadlines depend on your anticipated degree program. Check the Graduate Bulletin page for your degree program to confirm the application deadline.
