Enrollment Requirements
Full-time enrollment requirement
U.S. immigration regulations require international students to be enrolled full-time each semester. SDSU students must fulfill the full-time enrollment requirement during the fall semester and the spring semester of each academic year.
What is full-time enrollment?
Full-time enrollment consists of a minimum of 12 units each semester for undergraduate students, a minimum of 9 units each semester for Master's students, and 6 units for doctoral students.
F-1 undergraduate students may participate in one online class for a maximum of 5 units OR participate in multiple online classes that add up to a maximum of 3 units for full-time enrollment. F-1 graduate students may participate in one online course OR participate in multiple online courses that add up to a max of 3 units for full-time enrollment
Must I take summer courses?
SDSU students are not required to enroll in summer session to maintain full-time enrollment status if they will be enrolling the following fall semester. It is a vacation period.
The SDSU International Student Center has developed strict procedures that students must follow to receive approval for less than full-time enrollment. Learn if you can take fewer courses by submitting an Application for Reduced Course Load (ARCL).
International degree-seeking students are allowed to take a leave of absence from SDSU for one or more semesters as long as they meet certain requirements. In this case, since you will not be enrolled, you will not be able to remain in the U.S. in F-1 student status. Learn how to request a leave of absence.
F-1 degree-seeking students are allowed to enroll concurrently at more than one academic institution provided the combined enrollment equals a full course of study and the majority of classes are taken at SDSU. Learn more.