International Programs

Registration Requirements
Transfers

Registration Information for New Students

For information on Registering for classes as a newly-admitted student, please visit the New Student Programs & Family Outreach website to learn more. If you are on an OSU Exchange program, please check with your OSU Exchange Coordinator for more information about how you may register.

Registration Requirements

As an international student, you must register for and complete a full course of study each term during the academic year. Full-time status for graduate students is 9 credits per term (12 or 16 credits for graduate students with assistantships). Summer and vacation periods normally do not require registration as long as you are a continuing student. It is very important NOT to withdraw from or audit any classes that will result in less than a full course load. If you have serious academic or medical concerns, you will need to make an appointment with an international student advisor for possible exceptions prior to dropping below full-time status. Undergraduate students may apply for a "reduced course load" at the start of their final term if they have less than 12 credits remaining to complete their degree. Graduate students who have completed all required coursework and all requirements listed on their specific graduate program of study may apply for a "reduced enrollment." Reduced enrollment may be approved for up to 4 terms for a master's student or 6 terms for a doctoral student. Both forms are available on the ISFS website and in the International Program's reception lobby.

Vacation Term: Students on an F-1 or J-1 visa are allowed to take one vacation term during the year in which no registration is required. Most students choose summer as their vacation term. Students who wish to take a term off other than summer term should make an appointment with an international student advisor to determine eligibility.

• Registration Requirements - GRADUATE Students (PDF)
• Registration Requirements - UNDERGRADUATE Students (PDF)
• Reduced Courseload Request Form - Final Term Only (PDF)
• Reduced Enrollment Request Form (PDF)

Transfers

If you will be transferring to OSU from another U.S. school or from OSU to another U.S. school, you will need to initiate the release of your SEVIS record from the old to the new school and check to see that your transfer is completed within the first 15 days of your first term at the new school.