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Division of Research and Graduate Studies

ENROLLMENT

University policy requires all graduate students to be continuously enrolled at the university each semester until the awarding of the degree.  Students must also be enrolled in any summer term in which an application for graduation is filed.  A full course load is encouraged in order to facilitate timely completion of the degree.

Enrollment in Project (298) or Thesis (299) Units
Initial enrollment in project (298) and thesis (299) units occurs in the departmental office, where the permission and class numbers are obtained.

Continuous Enrollment

To maintain continuous enrollment after enrolling in all courses toward the degree, including project (298) or thesis (299) units, students must enroll in zero units, as follows:

Project Students

Students who have enrolled in the required number of project (298) units, but have not completed their project, must maintain continuous enrollment by enrolling in 298C (zero units) through regular enrollment each semester until the awarding of the degree.  Students may enroll twice in 298C with department approval.  Additional registrations are not encouraged, and must be approved by the Dean of Research and Graduate Studies.  Permission and class numbers for 298C must be obtained from the department.

Thesis Students

Students who have enrolled in the required number of thesis (299) units, but have not completed their thesis, must maintain continuous enrollment by enrolling in 299C (zero units) through regular enrollment each semester until the awarding of the degree.  Students may enroll twice in 299C with department approval.  Additional registrations are not encouraged, and must be approved by the Dean of Research and Graduate Studies.  Permission and class numbers for 299C must be obtained from the department.

Comprehensive Examination Students

Comprehensive examination students who have enrolled in all courses toward the degree, must maintain continuous enrollment by enrolling in GS Continuation (zero units through Continuing and Global Education).  After one semester of enrollment in GS Continuation, students must maintain enrollment thereafter by enrolling in GS 299C (zero units through regular enrollment) each semester until the awarding of the degree.  Authorization for enrollment in both GS Continuation and GS 299C must be approved by the dean in the Division of Research and Graduate Studies office, Frank W. Thomas Building, Room 130.  Permission and class numbers for GS Continuation and GS299C must be obtained from the Division of Research and Graduate Studies Office.

CAMPUS DEFINITION OF FULL-TIME STUDENT STATUS

The university defines full-time study as 12 units, however, while undergraduate course units are counted at face value, graduate course units (those numbered in the 200 series) are weighted at 1.5 units per each course unit. Therefore, 8 units of 200 level courses constitute an equivalent full-time study load of 12 units.

Full time VS. part-time status

Depending on the use of the term, there are several definitions of full time. For the purpose of reporting enrollments, graduate students taking 9 or more units are considered full time and students taking less than 9 units are considered part time.

For the purpose of financial aid (loans, veteran’s assistance, etc.), a full-time student takes 12 “equivalent units” wherein each graduate unit (200-level) attempted by a graduate student is considered as 1.5 units and each undergraduate unit (100-level or below) counts at face value. For example, a student enrolled for 8 units of 200-level courses would be considered a full-time student. Half-time is defined as 6 to 8.5 “equivalent units,” and three-quarter to full-time is defined as 9 to 11.5 “equivalent units”.

Requirement for Full-Time Enrollment International Students

The United States Office of Homeland Security (OHS) requires international students on non-immigrant F-1 and J-1 visas to pursue full-time study in a specific program for each semester of enrollment.

  • Using the definitions for full-time student status, international graduate students are advised to work closely with their faculty advisor to plan a program of full-time study for each semester of enrollment.
  • Graduate program coordinators should not admit international students to their programs in those instances where a sufficient number of courses are not expected to be available during each semester of enrollment in the program.

Verification Purposes (e.g., loan deferments, employment, credential, etc.)

Students enrolled in zero units (GS Continuation, 298C, or 299C) may need to verify their possible qualification for full- or part-time status. Appropriate faculty (Thesis Chair, Project Advisor, or Comprehensive Examination Advisor) approval will be required. For further information, contact the Division of Research and Graduate Studies.

Leave of Absence Request

Students wishing to temporarily suspend their formal studies in order to pursue other activities that will help clarify and contribute to their educational goals may request a leave of absence.  Other reasons for requesting a leave of absence may involve a documented medical reason, or active military duty. 

  • Students must submit a "Leave of Absence Request" form to the Office of the University Registrar for approval
  • An approved leave of absence does not change the existing five-year time limit for completion of the degree.

Time to Degree

A time limit of five years from the oldest course listed on the student’s approved “Petition of Advancement to Candidacy” form is allowed for completion of the master’s degree. A limited number of outdated courses (older than five years) may be validated. (See the "Recommendation for Course Validation" form.)

In rare circumstances only, extensions beyond the five-year limit (no more than two additional years) may be granted, per Title 5, California Code of Regulations. Contact the graduate dean.

EXTENSION ENROLLMENT

On rare occasions, a graduate degree student may use a limited number of extension courses toward the degree. Conditions for enrollment include:

  • Students must have special permission from the graduate coordinator/director;
  • the purpose of enrollment may not be to bypass the university fee structure;
  • a maximum of 9 units, including any other transfer work, may be used on a 30-unit program; and
  • 300-level courses may not be used to satisfy requirements toward the graduate degree.


SUMMER ENROLLMENT

Students applying for the degree to be granted in the summer term must be appropriately enrolled.