To remain in Active Student Status graduate degree candidates must be enrolled for at least one credit hour or registered for Continuous Registration (CR 500) during the term (Fall, Spring, or Summer) in which they will complete their degree.

Graduate Advising

Each graduate degree area has a program director/coordinator that serves as the initial graduate advisor to all graduate students in the program. The responsibilities of the graduate advisor and the graduate committee include advisement, approval of the degree plan, approval of a thesis, dissertation, or directed research topic and final document (if appropriate), and administration and approval of comprehensive and/or oral examinations and thesis/project defense.

Continuous Registration Requirement

Students who have been enrolled and received a grade notation in a course (see Academic Policies for grade notations), but whose attendance was interrupted for two or more regular semesters, excluding summer, are required to file an application for readmission for the term in which they wish to enroll.

As an alternative, students may opt for a Continuous Registration (CR) status. Registration for CR status is accomplished in the same way as registration for courses. Students registering for CR will be assessed a fee for each semester of CR registration. Students graduating in any term (including summer) are required to be registered for at least one credit or CR. See the Graduate Studies Registration Overview.

Subject to the established time limits for the earning of graduate degrees and the various academic requirements, CR registrants need not apply for readmission should they wish to take additional graduate courses. Such students are ensured a place in their graduate programs as long as they remain in good academic standing.

The availability of the CR option shall not supersede any other registration requirements to which students may be subject. For example, a student’s advisory committee may require additional coursework. Similarly, some departments may require credit-bearing registration until the degree is completed.

Course Loads

Graduate students enrolled in nine or more semester credit hours are considered full-time graduate students (five or fewer hours in summer semesters); those enrolled for five (or fewer) semester credit hours are considered part-time graduate students (three or fewer hours in summer semesters).