Full-Time Enrollment and Full-Time Certification

Learn about full-time enrollment requirements for F1 Students. 

F-1 International Students

All F-1 international students must be enrolled full-time every fall and spring semester. Summer and winter term enrollment is optional unless it is your final (graduating) semester.

Dropping below full-time enrollment without prior authorization from OGI is considered a serious violation of your F-1 status and can be cause for termination of your SEVIS record.

There are 6 different modes of instruction for NJIT courses.

  • "Face-to-face," "converged learning," and "hybrid" are considered in-person. F-1 and J-1 international students are required to attend all converged learning classes in-person.
  • All other modes are considered online.

You must have at least one in-person class in your final semester, even if your final semester is a summer term.

Undergraduate students

Must enroll in 12 credits every spring and fall semester.
 
Enrollment in the summer is optional. You do not need to enroll full-time, or at all, during summer sessions, and may enroll in as man online courses as desired during summer term (unless you will complete your degree after the summer session).
 
Limit on online courses: Only 3 online credits per semester may count towards full-time enrollment. This means, you must have at least 9 credits of in person coursework every semester.
  • You may drop below 12 credits only if:
    • You are in your last semester and you do not need 12 credits in order to graduate. You must apply for Full Time Certification  (FTC) in order to avoid SEVIS termination in your final semester if you are enrolled less than full time. See the next tab called "How to apply for full time certification" for instructions.
    • You have medical or academic reasons that warrant dropping below full time.
**You are still limited to only 3 online credits and you must have at least 1 in-person class. Exceptions may apply for medical reduced course load. You must have prior authorization from OGI to drop below full time.

Graduate students

Enroll in 9 credits every spring and fall semesters.
 
Enrollment in the summer is optional. You do not need to enroll full-time, or at all, during summer sessions, and may enroll in as man online courses as desired (unless you will complete your degree after the summer session).
 
Limit on online courses: Only 3 online credits per semester may count towards full-time enrollment. This means you must have at least 6 credits in person every semester.
  • You may only drop below 9 credits if:
    • You are in your last semester and you need fewer than 9 credits in order to graduate.
      • You must apply for Full Time Certification  (FTC) in order to avoid SEVIS termination in your final semester if you are enrolled less than full time. See the next tab called "How to apply for full time certification" for instructions.
    • You are taking fewer than the required number of credits due CPT Authorization for a co-op/internship. 
      • You must apply for Full Time Certification  (FTC) in order to avoid SEVIS termination in your final semester if you are enrolled less than full time. See the next tab called "How to apply for full time certification" for instructions.
    • You have medical reasons that warrant dropping below full time.
      • If you are a Doctoral student you must request to be Full-Time Certified online through the Highlander Pipeline.
      • If you are a Master's student you must submit the Reduced Course Load for Medical Reasons Request Form. Medical documentation from a U.S. based doctor is required for a medical reduced course load.

All students enrolled less than 9 credits are still limited to only 3 online credits and you must have at least 1 in-person class. Exceptions may apply for medical reduced course load. You must have prior authorization from OGI to drop below full time for medical or academic reasons.

For example, master’s students typically follow this sequence of number of credits per semester:

  • Option 1: 9-9-9-3 (in this case the student will graduate at the end of the 4th semester)
  • Option 2: 12-12-6* (in this case the student will graduate at the end of the 3rd semester)

*Master's thesis students may be Full-Time Certified twice when enrolled in only 3 master's thesis credits. Students cannot take 6 thesis credits at once. Thesis credits have to be combined with other courses.

Ph.D. students

May have multiple semesters of below full-time enrollment due to dissertation work only.
  • You may drop below 9 credits if:
    • You have passed the qualifying exams and are only required to enroll in only (1) dissertation credit. 
      • You must apply for Full Time Certification  (FTC) in order to avoid SEVIS termination in your final semester if you are enrolled less than full time. See the next tab called "How to apply for full time certification" for instructions.
Limit on online courses: Only 3 online credits per semester may count towards full-time enrollment. This means you must have at least 6 credits in person every semester.

You must request to be "Full-Time Certified" through the Highlander Pipeline.

1) Log into the Highlander Pipeline

2) Go to International Student Services

3) Select Full Time Certification (FTC)

  • Complete the FTC form only after you have finalized your schedule for the semester.
    • ​If you change your schedule after submitting this form, you will be required to submit it again.
  • The OGI will review all FTC submissions once the semester begins.
    • There is no need to contact the OGI to inquire about the status of your submission. If we have questions upon review, we will contact you or your academic adviser directly.