Enrollment Requirements & Reduced Course Loads

Policies:

• Maximums:
  • F-1 students can count no more than one online/distance learning class or three (3) credits, whichever is less, towards full-time enrollment requirements each semester.
  • J-1 students can enroll in a maximum of one online or distance learning class per semester.
     
• Courses with an instructional method of "Flexible/Hyflex" or "Online-Distance Learning" are considered distance learning classes.
   
• If a student needs only one course to finish their program of study (i.e. during their last semester at Emory), it cannot be taken through online/distance education as there must be a physical presence classroom requirement for the course. The physical presence requirement must be for all students in the course, not just the F-1/J-1 student.

Enrollment Examples:

• An F-1 student enrolled in a program that considers 12 credits full-time can take 3 credit hours, or 1 class, towards the required 12 credits per semester. Any credits taken over 12 credit hours can also be distance learning.
   
• An F-1 student enrolled in a program that considers 9 credits full-time can take 3 credit hours, or 1 class, towards the required 9 credits per semester. Any credits taken over 9 credit hours can also be distance learning.

• F-1 and J-1 students do not need to register for the summer session unless:
  • their program requires summer enrollment; OR
  • the summer term will be the student's first or last term
     
• Students who plan to take a leave of absence in the fall and want to stay in the US for the preceding summer, must enroll full-time in the summer semester, because they are not returning to resume full-time studies in the fall.  
   
• Undergraduate students who will begin their Emory program or return from a leave during the summer are held to the following enrollment requirements:
  • 12 credit hours total for the summer if beginning in the first summer session; OR
  • 6 credit hours if beginning in the second summer session.

• To Complete Course of Study in Current Term (Final Semester)
  • A student may enroll part-time if they are in their final semester and need less than a full course load to complete their program.
  • If a student needs only one course to finish their program of study (i.e. during their last semester at Emory), it cannot be taken through online/distance education as there must be a physical presence classroom requirement for the course. The physical presence requirement must be for all students in the course, not just the F-1/J-1 student.
     
• Experiencing Academic Difficulties
  • Reasons for a RCL based on academic difficulties:
    • Improper course level placement
    • Initial difficulty with English language*
    • Initial difficulty with reading requirements*
    • Unfamiliarity with US teaching methods* 
      *Students may only receive an RCL based on these reasons during their first year.
  • Students can receive a RCL for academic reasons for a total of one semester during their program.
  • If authorized for a RCL based on academic difficulties, the student must be enrolled at least half-time (i.e. at least 6 credit hours for undergraduate students).
     
• Medical Issues
  • Students can be granted a RCL if they are experiencing medical issues that prevent them from studying full time.
  • During their program, a student can be granted a reduced course load for medical reasons for a total of 12 months.
  • To be eligible, the student must obtain a letter or other documentation from a licensed medical doctor (includes psychiatrist), doctor of osteopathy, psychologist, or clinical psychologist in the US.
    • The letter must indicate what level of coursework the student is able to carry (if any) during the current term.
    • This information is held in the student's protected record, but the student's department reviewer will be able to see it. Therefore, it is recommended that the letter not include any specifics about the student's medical condition or treatment.

Students wanting to request a reduced course load should follow these procedures:

1. Discuss their plans with their department reviewer (academic advisor, dean, program director, etc.).
   • If requesting a medical RCL, the student does not need to share the details of their medical condition.
      
2. Log in to ISSS Link and submit a "Reduced Course Load Authorization" e-form which can be found under the "General Student Services" tab. The e-form will ask the student to include the following:
   • Name and contact information of their department reviewer
   • Reason for requesting an RCL*
   • Medical documentation (if the RCL is for medical reasons)*

       *See "RCL Reasons" above for a list of RCL reasons and medical documentation requirements. 

3. Upon submission of the e-form:
   • The student's departmental reviewer will receive an e-mail requesting that they log into ISSS Link and approve the request.
   • Once reviewed by the academic department, the student's ISSS advisor will review the request within five business days and determine if the student is eligible for a reduced course load.
   • If approved, the student will receive an e-mail letting them know that their new form I-20 or DS-2019 is ready. 
      
4. After receiving the new I-20 or DS-2019, the student can drop below a full course load.

It is very important that students not drop below full-time until they receive an e-mail from their ISSS advisor stating that the reduced course load was approved by both the academic department and ISSS.