J-1 Full-Time Study Requirement

Full-Time Study at Teachers College

J-1 students under U.S. immigration regulations are required to pursue a full course of study while at Teachers College. Failure to comply with this regulation may lead to termination of your status as well as all J-1 employment benefits, including on-campus employment.

You may meet the full course of study requirement in one of two ways.

1. Full-time Coursework (register for 12 points/credits of coursework): TC defines 12 points of coursework credit as full-time; anything below 12 credits is considered 'half-time' or 'part-time.' If you register for 12 credits you are automatically considered full-time and in compliance with F-1 requirements. You are also automatically considered full-time if you register for certain advanced doctoral / dissertation advisement courses, including:
   • Dissertation Advisement 8900 or 8901
   • Clinical Psychology Internship CCPX 6430
   • Counseling Pscyhology Internship CCPX 6460
   • School Psychology Internship HBSK 6480
2. Full-time Equivalency (register for the equivalent of 12 points by taking courses and obtaining approval for a Certificate of Equivalency, or COE).  If you are taking fewer than 12 points of coursework credit, you may still obtain 'full-time equivalency' if you are also engaged in non-credit academic activities directly related to your degree program.  These activities must be indicated on a Certificate of Equivalency (COE) form from the Office of the Registrar. The COE must be approved by both your academic advisor and the Registrar by the end of the add / drop period (two weeks after classes begin), such that the total number of coursework and equivalency points equals 12.

A COE may be approved for appropriate non-credit academic activities, such as:

• Preparation for required language or comprehensive examinations
• Supervised research for the master's thesis or integrative project
• Supervised research for the doctoral dissertation requirement
• Required or elective internship / fieldwork / practicum / student teaching
• Graduate research or teaching assistantship

For the autumn / spring semester the Registrar will grant the equivalent of 1 point for every 3 hours of approved activity. For example, if you are spending 6 hours per week studying for your comprehensive examinations, you would be granted the equivalent of 2 points of coursework. You must have a total of 12 points of coursework or COE-approved activity in order to be considered full-time.

Study During the Summer Vacation Period

You are not required to study during the summer vacation period. If you choose to study, you may study on a part-time or full-time basis according to your own interest.

Reduced Courseload for J-1 Students

In certain circumstances, an J-1 student may request authorization to engage in a reduced courseload (part-time study). A reduced courseload may be granted only in specific situations. You must request pre-approval for a reduced courseload directly from the Office of International Services. Please note that authorization for a reduced courseload may be granted only for the following situations:

• If you are new to U.S. higher education and are having initial difficulty with the English language or with academic adjustment, you may be authorized to reduced from 12 credits to 9 credits (students who have completed previous graduate work in the United States are not eligible for this type of reduced courseload)
• If you have a documented illness or medical condition, you may be authorized to enroll for fewer than 12 credits (or for no credits at all, if medically warranted). This authorization is granted for one semester at a time and must be re-authorized if the illness or condition persists. A reduced course load for medical conditions can be granted for no more than 12 months in the aggregate during any one course of study.
• If you are in the final semester of your degree program and do not need 12 points (or the equivalent) to complete the degree.

You may request approval for a reduced courseload by downloading and submitting to the OIS a Reduced Courseload Request Form that can be found on our website under 'Forms', 'Registration and Personal Information'.  If the OIS approves your request, you will receive an updated DS-2019 indicating the dates for which the reduced courseload has been authorized.

A Summary

How an J-1 student maintains a "full course of study" for Immigration purposes:

Fall and Spring Semesters	COE filed by end of Add/Drop Required?	Pre-Approval by Int'l Services or your J-1 Sponsor Required?
12 points of coursework (no more than 1 course/3pts. through on-line/distance ed. may be counted toward full course of study)	NO	NO
Activities directly related to degree program (prep. for exams; thesis, project, or dissertation research; student teaching, internship, etc.)	YES	NO
Internship, Practicum or Fieldwork under Curricular Practical Training provisions	YES	YES(if paid)**
Research, teaching or graduate assistantship (less than 20 hrs/week)	YES	NO if TC, YES if CU***
Reduced course load for initial difficulty with English, unfamiliarity with US teaching methods, improper course level placement, illness or medical condition	NO	YES
Last semester of degree program (fewer than 12 points needed to complete degree requirements)	NO	YES

**For paid internship, practicum or fieldwork, Academic Training (AT) must be authorized by the Office of International Services or your J-1 sponsor before employment can begin.

*** Employment paperwork through TC or CU Human Resources must be completed before employment can begin.