Full-Time Enrollment

To maintain your legal F-1 status in the U.S., you must be enrolled full-time each fall and spring semester. You do not have to enroll full-time for summer sessions unless you begin your program of study at WKU during the summer.

Full-time enrollment requirements include:

Undergraduate students must enroll in at least 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester.
Graduate students must enroll in at least 9 credit hours each fall and spring semester.
Professional students such as PhD students should follow full-time enrollment requirements as determined by their academic program.

Dropping below full-time enrollment without authorization from an advisor is a serious violation of your F-1 status!

Read about full-time exceptions and procedures

Online Enrollment

You are allowed to take online classes to help fulfill your full-time enrollment requirements. However, only one online class can count towards your full-time enrollment requirement each semester. Additionally, if you are in your final semester, your enrollment may not consist of only online courses.

If you are a student sponsored by your government or another agency, your sponsor may limit the number of online or hybrid courses that you are allowed to take. Make sure to check with your sponsor before registering for any online or hybrid course work to prevent a large bill that your sponsor may not pay.

Consult with an academic advisor to make sure any courses you take at another school will transfer to WKU and count towards your degree program.

Incomplete Courses

Incomplete courses from a previous semester may not count towards your full-time enrollment for a current semester. Additionally, you may not use incomplete courses to extend your program. For F-1 status purposes, your program will be considered completed at the end of your final semester, even if you have an incomplete course. Please be sure to speak with an advisor ahead of time if you think you will need a program extension.