Full-time/Half-time Status of Graduate Students

NC State uses a uniform Schedule of Full-time/Part-time Status of Graduate Students.

These definitions apply to all graduate students.

Full-time/Half-time Determination for Graduate Students

1. Fall and Spring Semesters

Classification / Full time / Half Time
Non-Thesis Master’s Students

Thesis Master’s Students

/ Registration for nine (9) or more credit hours per Fall or Spring semester, or a minimum of three (3) hours per semester during the semester in which the student is completing the last course(s) required to complete the degree. Students who have completed* all credit hour requirements for their degreemust register for three (3) hours of XXX 689**( Non-Thesis Master Continuous Registration – Full Time Registration). Students may register for this course a maximum of one semester.
Registration for nine (9) or more credit hours per Fall or Spring semester, or a minimum of three (3) hours per semester during the semester in which the student is completing the last course(s) required to complete the degree. For thesis students, this could include XXX 695. Students who have completed* all credit hour requirements (including research credits) for their degree except for completing their research and/or writing and defending the thesis should register for three (3) hours of XXX 699*** (Master's Thesis Preparation) each semester until graduation. / Registration for 3-8 credit hours per Fall or Spring semester, or one (1) hour of XXX 688 (Non-Thesis Master’s Continuous Registration-Half Time Registration) for students who have completed* all credit hour requirements for their degree.
Registration for 3-8 credit hours per Fall or Spring semester, or one (1) hour of XXX 699 (Master’s Thesis Preparation) for students who have completed all credit hour requirements (including research credits) for their degree and are completing their research and/or writing and defending the thesis.

Doctoral

/ Registration for nine (9) or more credit hours per Fall or Spring semester until the student completes all credit hour requirements for the degree, including research credits, and the oral preliminary examination, or three (3) hours per semester of XXX 899**** (Doctoral Dissertation Preparation) for students who have completed* all credit hour requirements for their degree(including research credits and the oral preliminary examination) except for completing their research and/or writing and defending the dissertation. / Registration for 3-8 credit hours per Fall or Spring semester, or one (1) credit of XXX 899 for students who have completed* all credit hour requirements for their degree(including research credits and the oral preliminary examination) except for completing their research and/or writing and defending the dissertation.

*This includes courses with an incomplete grade.

XXX 688 Non-Thesis Masters Continuous Registration – Part Time Registration. Preq: Master’s students. 1. F, S, Sum. For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hours requirements for their degree but need to maintain part-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master’s exam, etc. As noted in the prerequisite above, the course inventory system restricts enrollment in this course to Masters students only (class MR). Course Offerings: fall, sum1, sum2, sprg.

**XXX 689 Non-Thesis Master Continuous Registration – Full Time Registration. Preq: Master’s students. 3. F, S, Sum. For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hours requirements for their degree but need to maintain full-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master’s exam, etc. As noted in the prerequisite above, the course inventory system restricts enrollment in this course to Masters students only (class MR). Students may register for this course a maximum of one semester. Registration restricted to 3 credits only. Course Offerings: fall, sum1, sum2, sprg.

***XXX 699 Master's Thesis Preparation. Preq: Master's student. 1-3. F, S, Sum. For students who have completed all credit hours requirements for their degree(including research credits)but need to maintain continuous registrationto complete their research and/or write and defend their theses. Course Offerings: fall, sum1, sum2, sprg.

**** XXX 899 Doctoral Dissertation Preparation. Preq: Doctoral student. 1-3. F, S, Sum. For students who have completed all credit hours requirements for their degree (including research credits and the oral preliminary examination) but need to maintain continuous registration to complete their research and/or write and defend their dissertation. Course Offerings: fall, sum1, sum2, sprg.

Students going on to a Ph.D. can register for 9 credits of Ph.D. coursework during their last semester of the Masters degree instead of 3 hours of 689 or 699.

revised 9/18/03