UAlbany requires 12 credit hours each semester for full-time status. USCIS requires you to successfully complete a full-time course of study each semester (does not include summer).

If you are an RA or TA or GA, with valid tuition support from your funding source, then you may be allowed to take 9 credit hours of classes plus teaching or research. Graduate students doing research or thesis work after completing coursework can also take reduced credits, as stipulated by your department. Graduate Students receiving fellowships, for which they are not required to work, must enroll in 12 credits to be considered full time.

In certain rare cases, a new student in his/her first semester may be authorized by ISSS to take less than 12 credit hours in order to do remedial English or academic coursework.

Download a Reduced Course Load Authorization form.