F-1 Full Course of Study Requirement
F-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 F-1 employment benefits, including on-campus employment.
Full-time Coursework: TC defines full-time enrollment as 9 credits of coursework. Anything below 9 credits is considered half-time or part-time enrollment. If you register for 9 billable 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 full-time equivalent courses such as::
- Dissertation Advisement 8900 or 8901
- Clinical Psychology Internship CCPX 6430
- Counseling Psychology Internship CCPX 6460
- School Psychology Internship HBSK 6480
Please reach out to your academic advisor to learn more about full-time equivalent courses in your program. For additional information on full-time enrollment, please refer to the Office of the Registrar website.
Study During the Summer Vacation Period
You are not required to study during the summer vacation period if you intend to register for the following Fall term, unless you are admitted to start your program in the summer. If you choose to enroll in courses during the regularly scheduled summer break, you may study on a part-time or full-time basis according to your own interest.
Online / Distance Education
No more than one online/distance education class or 3 credits per semester may count toward the full course of study requirement in the fall and spring terms. An online/distance education class is defined as one which does not require physical attendance at Teachers College to complete the course. Any course that is not coded “in-person” is considered a distance learning course.
Concurrent Enrollment
In certain exceptional situations, you may find it necessary to take courses at an outside (non-Columbia) institution in order to meet your degree requirements. This may arise if you are required to take prerequisites or other required courses that are not offered by Teachers College or another Columbia University affiliate. In such situations, you may request authorization for “concurrent enrollment,” which allows you to meet the full course of study requirement by taking courses at both TC and another SEVP certified institution. TC must be your primary institution, and the outside course(s) must receive the approval of your department, the Office of the Registrar, and the OISS, and be reflected as an approved course on your Degree Audit. In order to receive approval for concurrent enrollment, submit a copy of the course description and registration to the OISS. Approval is semester-by-semester.
Reduced Course Load for F-1 Students
In certain circumstances, an F-1 student may request authorization to engage in a reduced course load (part-time study). A reduced course load may be granted only in specific situations. You must request pre-approval for a reduced course load directly from the Office of International Students and Scholars. Please note that authorization for a reduced course load may be granted only for the following situations:
- Initial difficulty with the English language or with academic adjustment: Students who are experiencing initial difficulty with the English language or reading requirements, or who are unfamiliar with U.S. teaching methods may be authorized for reduced course enrollment from 9 credits to 6 credits. Students who have completed previous undergraduate or graduate work in the United States are not eligible for this type of reduced course load. This type of reduced coursework may only be authorized for one term.
- Documented illness or medical condition: Students may be authorized to enroll for fewer than 9 credits or for no credits at all, if medically warranted. The student must provide medical documentation from a licensed medical doctor, psychiatrist, doctor of osteopathy, licensed psychologist, or clinical psychologist to the OISS to substantiate the illness or medical condition. This authorization is granted for one semester at a time and must be reauthorized 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.
- Final semester: Students in their last semester of studies may be authorized for reduced course load, if less than 9 credits are needed to complete their program. If you need only one course to complete your program in your last term, this course cannot be online.
You may request approval for a reduced course load by submitting a Reduced Course Load Request Form to the OISS through TC-Compass. You must maintain full-time status until you obtain authorization from the OISS.
Please note Teachers College defines academic time status that may have scholarship or tax implications. Please refer to the Office of the Registrar website regarding enrollment time status that are considered below full time status.