In a semester system, Northeastern University's definition of full-time status may differ from that regarding federal financial aid eligibility. Graduate students who require federal financial aid must meet the higher enrollment standard. To be considered full-time, a graduate student must be enrolled in a minimum of 8 semester hours per full semester.
Course Overload
A maximum course load (different from full-time enrollment) for a graduate (nondoctoral) student is 16 credits taken across a 15-week term, with no more than 8 credits per seven-week session.
To be eligible for a course overload (greater than 16 credits per 15-week term or greater than 8 credits per seven-week session), a graduate (nondoctoral) student must:
- Have a record of successful study with 12 or more credits a term at Northeastern
- Have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.500
- Provide a rationale to support the request
Students need to complete the appropriate form and return it to their academic advisor. Course overload is approved per term.
Each doctoral program has its own enrollment and course load requirements. Doctoral students who wish to seek a course overload must consult with the program director or designee.
International Student Enrollment Requirements
International Students Enrolled at a U.S. Campus
F-1 and J-1 international students studying at a U.S. campus must maintain full-time enrollment status with appropriate on-ground presence for the duration of every required term of study. Please refer to the information on the Office of Global Services U.S. website regarding maintenance of F-1/J-1 student status.
Any failure to comply with enrollment and on-ground presence requirements may impact a student's ability to continuing studying in F-1/J-1 status in the United States.
International Students Enrolled at a Canadian Campus
International students studying at a Canadian campus must maintain active enrollment in order to meet the conditions of their study permit. Please refer to the information on the OGS Canada website regarding maintaining status.
Taking extended or unauthorized breaks in your program may impact your ability to remain and study in Canada. OGS Canada is required to report on your registration status biannually to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
International students in Canada must maintain full-time enrollment in each required academic semester in order to be eligible for on- or off-campus work authorization and to maintain eligibility for the Post Graduation Work Permit, among other requirements.
For students at a Canadian campus on a valid study permit, part-time enrollment is permitted in the final semester only, without impacting status, work authorization, or PGWP eligibility. Please check with your academic advisor to make sure that you are meeting your program requirements before registering part-time in your final semester.
College of Professional Studies Academic Term
In CPS, each academic term in fall, spring, and summer is defined as a semester term consisting of 15 weeks. Some courses are scheduled for the entire 15 weeks, while others are scheduled for either the first seven weeks or the last seven weeks (parts of a term).
Eligibility for Summer Term Off
All students, regardless of the term in which they begin studies, are eligible to take the summer semester off as their standard vacation term, as long as they confirm enrollment in the following fall semester and they are not starting or ending their program of study in that same summer semester.
Directed Study
Directed studies are offered when a course is required for a student’s program of study but said course is not available in a given academic term and there is immediacy for a student to complete said course. Academic deans/directors will make the decision if there is a compelling need to run a course as a directed study.