Continuous Enrollment Policy for PhD programs

A student admitted to a doctoral program must register each fall and spring semester for a minimum of 3 graduate units from original matriculation until the completion of all course requirements, written and oral comprehensive exams, and 18 dissertation units. When these requirements are met, doctoral students not on financial assistance and/or needing to maintain appropriate visa status, must register for a minimum of 1 unit each semester until final copies of the dissertation are submitted to the Graduate Degree Certification Office. 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 requirements, and should check with their program advisor regarding such requirements to ensure that they remain qualified for funding. Doctoral students do not have to register for graduate units during summer sessions unless they plan to make use of University facilities or faculty time. If they plan to utilize facilities or faculty time they must enroll for a minimum of 1 unit of graduate credit. If degree requirements (including the Comprehensive Exams and the Final Oral Exam) are completed during the summer term, the student must be registered for a minimum of 1 unit of graduate credit during that term. If degree requirements are completed during an intersession (winter session or the Pre-Session), the student must have been registered for a minimum of 1 unit during the preceding semester. 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. No tuition or registration waivers can be applied retroactively.