Statistics and Biostatistics Graduate Program

Minimum Registration

Rutgers University requires that all students register every semester, beginning with the semester that they are admitted, and lasting until they graduate or leave the program. Students not wishing to register for formal credits must generally register for a status that Rutgers calls Matriculation Continued, and pay a fee, each semester. Certain students are required to register for larger number of credits.

The Graduate School-New Brunswick has maximal times until degree. These allowed times are sufficient to permit either the MS or Ph.D. degrees to be completed part-time, but significant periods of minimal registration may delay a student past the time allowed by the graduate school.

International students on student visas must maintain full-time student status. Exceptions to this full-time requirement are outlined in the Confirmation of less than full-time form. Generally full-time status requires registration for at least 9 credits per semester. Under certain circumstances, outlined on the reduced course load form and the request for full time status form. Only one of these three forms need be completed.
The rules regarding the minimum number of courses can change from year to year and depend on visa requirements. Students who need to take fewer than the usual minimum course load to be considered full-time (three 3-credit courses) are urged to check with the International Student Office.
Students may be required to maintain full-time status in order to remain eligible for university housing, or to defer repayment of some student loans. If you are required to maintain full-time status for these or other reasons, consult with the entity requiring the status for their precise definition of "full time", and with the graduate director.