Enrollment Status

Op3.04-24 Enrollment Status/Reduced Course Load Policy

Enrollment status may be reported to external agencies such as the National Student Clearinghouse. Audited classes are excluded when determining enrollment status. For official reporting purposes, Missouri State uses the following definitions: 

Full-Time. Undergraduate students carrying 12 or more credit hours and graduate students carrying 9 or more credit hours in the fall or spring semester are considered full-time students. Undergraduate and graduate students carrying 6 or more credit hours during the summer session are considered full-time students. 

Three-Quarter Time. Undergraduate students carrying 9-11 credit hours and graduate students carrying 7-8 credit hours during a fall or spring semester are considered three-quarter time students. Undergraduate and graduate students carrying 4-5 credit hours during the summer session are considered three-quarter time students.

Half-Time. Undergraduate students carrying 6-8 credit hours and graduate students carrying 5-6 credit hours during a fall or spring semester are considered half-time students. Undergraduate and graduate students carrying 3 credit hours during the summer session are considered half-time students. 

Less Than Half-Time. Undergraduate students carrying less than 6 credit hours and graduate students carrying less than 5 credit hours during a fall or spring semester are considered less than half-time students. Undergraduate and graduate students carrying less than 3 credit hours during the summer session are considered less than half-time students.

Reduced course load policy

The University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These laws mandate that the University provide academic accommodation for students with disabilities. 

The purpose of the reduced course load policy is to allow for case-by-case consideration of requests that students with disabilities be considered full-time, three-quarter time, or half-time when taking a reduced course load due to their disability. Students must petition for this accommodation each academic year. Students obtaining approval under this policy will adhere to the current fee structure of the University, but will be considered full-time or half-time and entitled to all of the services, benefits, rights and privileges of their status. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours to be approved for full-time status, 4-5 credit hours to be approved for three-quarter time status, and 3 credit hours to be approved for half-time status. 

Reduced course load requests, with supporting documentation, shall be submitted to the Director of the Disability Resource Center. Supporting documentation must include a diagnostic evaluation from an appropriate professional that permits evaluation of the current need for accommodation. The Director shall review potential consequences of reduced course load with the student, including slower progress toward graduation, changes in financial aid, and changes in University billing. The Director shall encourage the student to explore potential external consequences of a reduced course load, including changes in vocational rehabilitation funding and federally regulated financial aid. 

The Director shall submit the student’s request, with supporting documentation, to the Office of the Provost for disposition. If the request is approved, the Office of the Registrar shall ensure that enrollment status is accurately noted on the student’s record and accurately reported.