Enrollment Requirements

Continuous registration (Senate reg. 275A) is required of all graduate students. To achieve official registration status (maintain graduate standing) when not officially on leave of absence, a student must be registered in at least one regularly authorized course (minimum of 1 unit) [Senate Reg. 275A]. However, students are expected to enroll in more than one unit per quarter in order to meet academic residency, program requirements, and funding eligibility requirements, as described below.

To maintain eligibility for fellowships, academic appointments, and fee remission during the academic year (Fall, Winter, Spring Quarters), students must be registered in a minimum of 8 units. Eligible students may also register Part Time, with some restrictions. Please read the full policy on part-time registration for graduate students here.

* In order for a quarter to count towards Academic Residency, a graduate student must be registered and enrolled in courses of instruction, research, or study totaling or equivalent to at least four units of upper-division or graduate work during a regular term (fall/winter/spring), or two units of such work in a summer session. In doctoral programs, however, no period of attendance of less than one quarter, except two consecutive six-week Summer Sessions in the same summer, can be used to establish residence [Senate Reg. 275C].

In summary, unless officially approved for Part-Time Status, a graduate student should aim to enroll in a minimum of 8 units each quarter, and possibly more as needed to meet the course requirements of the individual program. Students should consult with their departmental advisors on their program of study.

A student must have an official registration status in order to complete degree milestones, including:

Take or complete a master's comprehensive exam or project
Advance to doctoral candidacy
File a thesis or dissertation
Have a degree awarded

A student who is planning to complete one of the above degree milestones during summer, must meet one of the following requirements:

If registered or on a Filing Fee Leave of Absence during Spring quarter, no Summer Session registration is required
If on a personal leave of absence in Spring quarter, must have completed a minimum of 4 units during one six-week Summer Session
If not registered (lapsed) Spring quarter, must be officially reinstated to Fall quarter and have completed a minimum of 4 units during one six-week Summer Session

Privileges

Official registration status is required for the following:

Employment in an academic appointment title (TA, GSR, Reader, Tutor)
Campus services (e.g., Library privileges, University housing, Student Health Services)
Receive financial aid (loans, fellowships)
Defer loan repayment
International student immigration status

Unregistered (Lapsed) Status
Graduate students who fail to register (lapse) relinquish all of the following student privileges:

Pre-existing offers of departmental financial support (i.e., graduate student academic appointments and fellowships)
Use of Student Health Services
Library access
U-Mail (access is terminated after 13 months of lapsed status)
Ability to defer repayment of student loans
International students immigration status (may be asked by the U.S. Immigration Service to leave the United States)
Non-resident tuition reduction is not deferred by the number of lapsed quarters (non-resident tuition reduction is effective for 3 calendar years regardless of registration status)
Quarters in lapsed status still count towards normative and time-to-degree deadlines.

Registration After Lapsed Status
A student not registered for at least one quarter, must submit a Reinstatement Petition to regain graduate student status. Please note that reinstatement is at the discretion of the department and is not automatic.

General Requirements for Graduate Degrees

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