Minimum Enrollment Requirements
RA (Research Assistant) Enrollment Requirement
RAs are required to carry a full load each semester (8 to 15 credits* including research or thesis credits for non-dissertators, 3 credits* for dissertators) and at least 2 credits* during the general 8-week summer session (DHH) (3 credits* for dissertators). Dissertators who hold assistantships are considered full-time with 3 credits* directly related to their dissertation.
TA (Teaching Assistant) and PA (Project Assistant) Enrollment Requirement
Minimum enrollment for PAs and TAs is 2 credits* (3 credits* for dissertators) during the fall and spring semesters.
- To be considered full-time by the Registrar for loan deferment and for certification of student immigration status, non-dissertator PAs and TAs who hold an appointment of at least 33.33% must be enrolled for 6 credits*, or those who hold an appointment of at least 50% must be enrolled for 4 credits*.
- Dissertator PAs and TAs are considered full-time with 3 credits* directly related to their dissertation (generally research and thesis or required seminars).
- Maximum enrollment for PAs and TAs is 15 credits* during the fall and spring.
- The Graduate School has no enrollment requirement for the summer session for PAs and TAs, unless the student is receiving a summer degree, but individual programs may.
Fellowship Enrollment Requirement
Non-dissertator graduate students holding fellowships that are pay-rolled through the university must be enrolled full-time: 8 credits* during the fall and spring semester. Fellows who are non-dissertators with 12-month appointments must also enroll in 2 credits* during the general 8-week summer session (DHH). Those who are not pay-rolled as fellows over the summer are not required to be enrolled. Those who are pay-rolled as fellows during any part of the summer term must enroll in the general 8-week summer session (DHH). Fellows who are dissertators must enroll in 3 credits* during the fall and spring semesters. Fellows with 12-month appointments who are dissertators must also enroll in 3 credits* during the general 8-week summer session (DHH).
Full-Time Enrollment Status at a Glance
| CATEGORIES | MINIMUM ENROLLMENT FOR FULL-TIME STATUS: FALL OR SPRING | MINIMUM ENROLLMENT FOR FULL-TIME STATUS: SUMMER (GENERAL 8-WEEK DHH SESSION) |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertator | Exactly 3 credits directly related to research | Not required unless receiving summer degree or if RA, trainee (with 12-month appointment), or fellow (with 12-month appointment), 3 cr. required. |
| RA, non-dissertator | 8 cr. | 2 cr. |
| TA/Lecturer (SA) 33%, non-dissertator | 6 cr. | Not required unless receiving summer degree, 2 cr. minimum. |
| TA/Lecturer (SA) 50%, non-dissertator | 4 cr. | Not required unless receiving summer degree, 2 cr. minimum. |
| PA 33%, non-dissertator | 6 cr. | Not required unless receiving summer degree, 2 cr. minimum. |
| PA 50%, non-dissertator | 4 cr. | Not required unless receiving summer degree, 2 cr. minimum. |
| Fellow, non-dissertator | 8 cr. | 2 cr. for 12-month appointments. Not required for 9-month appointments. |
| Trainee, non-dissertator | 8 cr. | 2 cr. |
| International student (F-1/J-1 visa), non-dissertator, if no other category in this list | 8 cr. | 4 cr. when summer is admit semester (2 cr. when summer is admit semester and student holds RA appointment or at least 33% TA or PA appointment) |
| If none of the above, full time enrollment is: | 8 cr. | 4 cr. |
* Credit requirements (except F-1 and J-1 visa requirements) must be satisfied by graded courses taken at 300 or above; courses numbered below 300, audit, and pass/fail do not satisfy enrollment requirements.
See full enrollment policy here: policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1208