Master's and Educational Specialist Continuous Enrollment Policy

1. A student admitted to a master’s program must register each fall and spring semester for a minimum of 1graduate unit, from original matriculation until all course and thesis requirements are met. A semester in which a student is enrolled for course credit will be counted toward continuous enrollment. Non-credit courses, audited courses or courses from which the student withdraws do not count toward the determination of continuous enrollment for graduate purposes. 
2. Students receiving funding such as assistantships, fellowships, loans, grants, scholarships or traineeships may be required by their funding source to register for more than 1 unit to meet full-time status requirement. Similarly, international students may have different requirements to maintain their visa status.  All students should check with their program advisor regarding such requirements to ensure that they remain qualified for funding and/or visa status.
3. Master’s students who have maintained continuous enrollment, fulfilled all their other degree requirements and were enrolled in the prior semester may defend and file in the summer or winter term without registration. If, however, a student needs library privileges or if they plan to make other use of University facilities or significant faculty time during summer or winter session, enrollment is required.
4. Summer-only students are required to enroll continuously during consecutive summers until all degree requirements are met.

Doctoral Continuous Enrollment Policy

1. A student admitted to a doctoral program must register each fall and spring semester for a minimum of 1graduate unit, from original matriculation until all course and thesis requirements are met. A semester in which a student is enrolled for course credit will be counted toward continuous enrollment. Non-credit courses, audited courses or courses from which the student withdraws do not count toward the determination of continuous enrollment for graduate purposes. 
2. Students receiving funding such as assistantships, fellowships, loans, grants, scholarships or traineeships may be required by their funding source to register for more than 1 unit to meet full-time status requirement. Similarly, international students may have different requirements to maintain their visa status.  All students should check with their program advisor regarding such requirements to ensure that they remain qualified for funding and/or visa status
3. Doctoral students who have maintained continuous enrollment and are taking only comprehensive exams during either Summer or winter term do not have to register for graduate credit during that summer or winter session.
4. Doctoral students who have maintained continuous enrollment, fulfilled all their other degree requirements as well as the 18 hours of dissertation and were enrolled in the prior semester may defend and file in the summer or winter term without registration. If, however, a student needs library privileges or if they plan to make other use of University facilities or significant faculty time during summer or winter session enrollment is required.

Audit courses (non credit-bearing) do not count toward full-time status, nor do audited courses count toward the determination of Continuous Enrollment.

Unless excused by an official Leave of Absence (which may not exceed one year throughout the student's degree program), all graduate students are subject to the Continuous Enrollment Policy and must pay in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees in order to remain in the program. If the student fails to obtain a Leave of Absence or maintain continuous enrollment, he or she will be required to apply for re-admission, to pay the Graduate College application fee, and pay all overdue tuition and fees, including cumulative late penalties. There is no guarantee of re-admission. Tuition or registration waivers cannot be applied retroactively.  Any student considering re-application should first check with the Graduate Student Academic Services Office Office to see whether additional work or updated forms will be necessary.

Continuous Enrollment and Financial Aid

Please note that "continuous enrollment" is not the same as "full-time enrollment" for financial aid and international visa purposes.  Please refer to the most recent UA Academic Catalog found at UA Catalog > Catalog Index > Full-time Student Status.