Frequently Asked Question - Registration

What is the Graduate School’s registration requirement?
As a Graduate School student you are required to register every fall and spring term to maintain active status
up through and including the term in which you will officially complete your degree. Failure to maintain your
active status will result in the discontinuation of your student status and require applying for readmission.

What is full time status?
Full time status is 6 or more credits. Some University benefits are reliant upon the registration of at least 6 credits.
Students should contact the office providing the benefit to inquire about minimum registration requirements.

What is active status?
The Graduate School requires students to maintain active status in order to file paperwork, be eligible for exams,
file for graduation, and complete their degrees. Active status is maintained by registering in the Graduate School.
A specific credit amount or course type is not necessary.

Currently, I’m not accepted or enrolled in a Graduate School program. How do I make sure classes I take at the
U of M can be used towards a future Graduate School degree?
You may be able to register for graduate credit (coursework appears on a graduate level transcript) when not admitted
to a graduate program. You must work with the graduate program offering the course to gain admission to non-degree
status. You must fill out the Request for Graduate Credit form to get permission from the graduate program. Once
completed this form is processed by One Stop (200 Fraser Hall).

I am a doctoral student who has completed all of my coursework, but I have not yet passed my preliminary oral
examination and need to maintain my full-time status. What should I register for?
You may register for 6 credits of doctoral pre-thesis credits (xxxx 8666). The Graduate School limits the number of
8666 credits to 6 credits for which a doctoral student may register in any fall, spring, or summer term. The Graduate
School also will limit registrations of 8666 to 2 instances and to 12 credits. With graduate program consent, you may
register for 8666 up to 4 times, for a total accumulation of 24 credits (of 8666). Programs have the option to restrict
8666 enrollment. If you receive the following message "Class NOT added. All requirements not met" when trying to
register for 8666, you will need to contact your program office for advising.

I am done with my coursework and thesis credits (if applicable) and only need to maintain my active status.
What should I do?
Graduate School students must register every fall and spring term to maintain active status. Grad 999, a zero-credit,
zero-tuition, non-graded registration option is available for those Graduate School students who must register solely
to meet the Graduate School's registration requirement. You should not register for Grad 999 if you hold an assistantship,
need to maintain legal visa status, defer loans, receive financial aid, or for any reason other than to meet the Graduate
School's registration requirement.

I am done with my coursework and thesis credits (if applicable) and need to maintain full-time status.
What should I do?
You have the option to register as an advanced status student by applying for the full time equivalent (FTE) credit
(xxxx 8333 (masters) or xxxx 8444 (doctoral)). You must apply for this status each term you wish to hold this
benefit. More information is available at http://www.grad.umn.edu/current_students/registration/FTE_procedures.html.

What is the maximum credit load the Graduate School allows?
The Graduate School allows registration for up to 18 credits. However, most offices providing tuition benefits
will not pay for more than 14 credits. Students should check with the office providing the tuition benefit to determine
the number of credits that will be covered.

I didn’t register last term and now my status is inactive. What should I do?
You must apply for re-admission through the Graduate Office of Admissions by completing a Change of Status/
Readmission Application.

Where do I go to get a permission number?
During the first two weeks of the term, you should contact the program offering the course (as indicated by the
course designator) to obtain a permission number. Students being prompted for a permission number for the
following courses: GRAD 999, xxxx 8666, xxxx 8888, xxxx 8777, xxxx 8444, and xxxx 8333, should contact the
Graduate School at 612-625-3490 to obtain a permission number.

My permission number isn’t working. What should I do?
If it is still within the first two weeks of the term, you should check with the program from which you obtained the
permission number. If it is beyond the first two weeks of the term, the permission number will no longer suffice
and you must complete a Registration Exception Request form.

I want to drop a course and get a complete refund. What should I do?
A Registration Exception Request form must be approved by the Graduate School to drop courses if past the
established deadlines set by the Office of the Registrar. However, the Office of the Registrar sets the tuition
refund policy and handles requests for exceptions to the policy by way of a Tuition Refund Appeal.

I want to add/drop a course and it is past the add/drop deadline. What should I do?
You should complete the Registration Exception Request form and return it to 316 Johnston Hall for review.

I have audited a course. How does this affect my tuition and enrollment?
As an auditor, you register for, pay tuition and fees for, and attend classes but do not complete assignments or
take examinations. You receive no credit for the course, but the course will be placed on your transcript with the
symbol V (Visitor) to indicate your special registration status. Though you do not receive credit for audited
courses, the credit value for the course counts in determining the credit total for the student services fee.
Audited courses do not count toward full-time enrollment for international students.

What is GRAD 999?
GRAD 999 is intended for Graduate School students who have completed all coursework and thesis credit
equirements (if applicable) and must maintain registration to meet the Graduate School's fall and spring
registration requirement. GRAD 999 only will maintain a student's active status in the Graduate School.
GRAD 999 does not meet any other University or external agency’s requirements. Students who must maintain
full-time status to hold an assistantship, defer loans, receive financial aid, etc., should not register for
GRAD 999. You should confer with your graduate program before registering for this option to ensure that
they do not have restrictions regarding GRAD 999 registration.

If I am registered for GRAD 999 or less than 6 credits, do I still get library, recreation center,
e-mail privileges, etc.?
You will want to contact the office providing the service you are seeking to inquire about minimum
registration requirements. Questions regarding e-mail can be made to the technology help-line at 612-301-4357.

When will I be eligible to take doctoral thesis credits (xxxx8888)?
Doctoral students are eligible to register for doctoral thesis credits (xxxx8888) the term after passing the Preliminary
Oral Examination. For example, a student who passes the Preliminary Oral Examination in fall 2008 will be eligible
to register for doctoral thesis credits starting with the spring 2009 term.

When will I be eligible to take master’s thesis credits (xxxx8777)?
The Graduate School does not have requirements that need to be met before master’s students are eligible to
register for master’s thesis credits.