Students can request a Reduced Course Load (RCL) based on academic difficulties from their ISSS specialist, while also working closely with their academic advisor. ISSS may authorize a reduced course load on account of a student's initial difficulty with the English language or reading requirements, unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods, or improper course level placement. The student must resume a full course of study at the next available term, session, or semester, excluding a summer session, in order to maintain student status. A student previously authorized to drop below a full course of study due to academic difficulties is not eligible for a second authorization by the DSO due to academic difficulties while pursuing a course of study at that program level (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD). A student authorized to drop below a full course of study for academic difficulties while pursuing a course of study at a particular program level may still be authorized for a reduced course load due to an illness medical condition or in their final semester of study.
All of the options listed below require an academic advisor signature, as well as approval from ISSS.
- Initial Difficulty with the English language
o Students in their first year of study may be eligible to request an RCL if they are having trouble in a course/courses due to English language difficulty. Students must consult with ISSS and their academic advisor to request this RCL.
- Initial Difficulty with reading requirements
o Students in their first year of study may be eligible to request an RCL if they are having trouble in a course/courses due to reading requirements. Students must consult with ISSS and their academic advisor to request this RCL.
- Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods
o Students may be eligible to request an RCL if they are having trouble in a course/courses due to . Students must consult with ISSS and their academic advisor to request this RCL.
- Improper course level placement
o Students may be eligible to request an RCL due to Improper Course Level Placement. Some common situations for this RCL include: a student being misadvised to take a particular course, if a student is enrolled in a course for which they have not met the prerequisites, if a student is struggling in a class where the level of course material is beyond their academic ability. Students must consult with ISSS and their academic advisor to request this RCL.
ALL RCL requests must be approved by your International Services Specialist. The academic advisor is not required to sign an RCL request if a student does not provide sound reasoning or explanation of how their situation qualifies for an academic difficulty RCL; ISSS also reserves the right to deny an RCL request submitted by a student.
To apply for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) for Academic Difficulties, please meet with your International Services Specialist to see if this is an option for you. Students should also be prepared to meet with their academic advisor to complete an RCL request. ISSS does not drop or withdraw students form courses at the university; ISSS only approves the student for an RCL for immigration purposes, and will update a student’s immigration record as needed. The student is responsible for completing any university procedures to formally drop or withdraw from a course.
