Reduced Course Load (RCL) Authorization

U.S. immigration regulations mandate that students in F-1 and J-1 immigration status maintain a full course of study for the entirety of their academic program. A full course of study is defined as:

  • 12 credit hours each semester for undergraduates
  • The normative full-time credit load on file with the U.S. government and the Graduate School of record for graduate students
  • Graduate students registered for Thesis Research (or a combination of credit hours and Thesis Research) also meet the full-course-of-study requirement.

All F-1 and J-1 students must obtain approval from OGS for a reduced course load (RCL) before actually dropping below the minimum credit hour requirement. Students who drop below full-time enrollment without prior approval from OGS fail to maintain the terms of their status. They will lose the benefits of their status and will be unable to stay and study in the United States. This may also impact their eligibility for work authorization upon regaining status.

Please contact the program’s dedicated International Student (IS) Advisor to learn more about the RCL eligibility requirements detailed below. In order to request an RCL, students must follow the instructions on OGS’s RCL webpage.

Reduced Course Load Eligibility Requirements

Academic Reasons

In the first semester of study in the United States, a student may be authorized to reduce one course if they are experiencing difficulties with the English language, with reading requirements, with American teaching methods, or due to improper course level placement.

The student must have availed themself of all applicable on-campus resources such as the course instructor(s), the Writing Center, and the Academic Resource Center (ARC) and continue to experience significant difficulty. Imminent failure in a course is not a valid reason to drop below a full course of study.

Written justification addressed to OGS is required from the course instructor and the Dean/Program Director in addition to the student’s RCL Request Form (PDF).

Completing Program in Current Term

Students who need fewer than the normative full-time minimum number of credits in order to graduate in the current term may study less than full-time while still maintaining status. An academic dean or advisor must attest to the remaining required number of credits on the student’s RCL Request Form (PDF). An online or elective internship course cannot be such a student’s only course. If only one course is needed to complete the degree program, that course must be in-person.

Comprehensive Examinations in Course of Program

Graduate students who have completed all formal coursework (or will complete all formal coursework in the current term) and are preparing for comprehensive examinations as a final requirement may meet the full course of study requirement. An academic advisor must attest to the student’s completion of formal coursework on their RCL Request Form (PDF).

Medical Reasons

A student who has to interrupt or reduce their full course load due to an illness or medical condition can still be considered to be maintaining their F-1 or J-1 status during this time. However, they must first get approval from their IS Advisor each term, and they may not be authorized for a reduced course load for more than 12 months in total.

The student must submit documentation to the Academic Resource Center (ARC) from a licensed medical doctor, licensed doctor of osteopathy, licensed psychologist, or licensed clinical psychologist outlining the medical condition and the recommended accommodation, including the specific number of credits in which they should be enrolled.

The academic department’s role is to:

  1. Help the student understand the requirement for medical documentation.
  2. Direct the student to the relevant ARC contact once they have medical documentation.

If the request is approved by the ARC, the ARC will provide OGS a letter of recommendation for the number of courses to reduce for the current academic term. The student must maintain full-time enrollment until OGS issues a new immigration document reflecting the authorization to reduce.

Students approved for a Medical RCL must enroll in at least one in-person course (three credits or more). Students who must withdraw from their entire course load due to illness or other medical conditions are not eligible to remain in F-1 or J-1 status at Georgetown unless they are incapacitated.

Please note:

  • Exclusively online study is not permitted in F-1 or J-1 status. If the student is unable to attend their full-time in-person course load, they must consult their IS Advisor via an advising appointment about their immigration options and their academic dean or advisor about their academic options.
  • F-1/J-1 regulations do not allow for a pregnancy/delivery alone to be considered for a Medical RCL. Pregnancy/delivery does not qualify as a medical diagnosis. If there are medical complications or other issues, the doctor’s letter to the Academic Resource Center (ARC) must address the relevant medical diagnosis or treatment reasons that prevent the student from attending classes full-time. The student must submit documentation to the ARC from a licensed medical doctor, licensed doctor of osteopathy, licensed psychologist, or licensed clinical psychologist to be considered for an accommodation and RCL.
  • Students may also request Title IX adjustments based on general pregnancy needs or accommodations based on a pregnancy-related condition. Information is provided in this overview document (PDF) about pregnancy resource options and the University’s processes. For more information, students can contact their Deputy Title IX Coordinator and visit the Title IX pregnant and parenting website.