7/16/2015

Dear International Masters Student,

Beginning Fall 2015, there will be a number of changes to the Reduced Course Load (RCL) policies and
procedures for Viterbi Masters Students. Please read ALL of the following information carefully.
Change #1:
Beginning Fall 2015, the minimum number of units permitted for the Academic Difficulty RCL for all
Viterbi Masters students will be four (4).
Change #2:
Students will be able to file their RCL forms online.
Continuation of Current Policy:
CPTs must be only 20 hours per week unless Summer or Final Semester
CPTs must be in Los Angeles area unless Summer or Final Semester
Full-Time Enrollment Requirement
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations require that international Masters
students ENROLL and COMPLETE at least eight (8) units each semester in order to maintain valid F-1 or J1 non-immigrant student status. All eight units must apply to the students degree.*
*Exception: A required ALI course can be included in the 8 units.
There are only a few exceptions to the full-time enrollment requirement for the fall and spring
semesters: Medical, Academic Difficulty, and Final Semester.
Criteria for the Medical RCL remain unchanged and should be reviewed on the OIS website. Students
must submit a Final Semester RCL if you take fewer than 8 units in your final semester of your Masters
program. New criteria for the Academic Difficulty RCL is detailed below:
Academic Difficulty RCL
Students may request an RCL due to academic difficulty only once per degree level.
Students who receive an academic difficulty RCL must resume a full course of study in the next
available semester in order to maintain status.
An Academic Difficulty RCL is not required in the Summer semester.
o If Summer is your final semester, please submit a Final Semester RCL
Minimum Units Allowed for Academic Difficulty RCL
Beginning with the Fall 2015 academic semester, the minimum number of units permitted for
the Academic Difficulty RCL will be four (4).
The four units can be an individual 4-unit course or a combination of 3-unit course and 1-unit
course, or other combination.
All four units must apply to the students degree.*

*Exception: A required ALI course can be included in the 4 units.

Approval for all RCL requests

All Viterbi Masters students must have their RCL approved by an advisor in the GAPP office.
Please fill out the online RCL petition form
o Students will be notified when RCL is approved or if additional information is required.
The deadline for submitting the RCL form to OIS is the add/drop date of the fall and spring
semesters.
RCL and Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
All CPTs must be in the Los Angeles area unless taken during:
o Summer or
o students final semester with less than 4 units total including 1-unit CPT or
o students final semester with a 4-unit class + 1 unit CPT
All CPTs must be for 20 hours per week maximum unless:
o Summer or
o students final semester with less than 4 units total including 1-unit CPT or
o students final semester with a 4-unit class + 1 unit CPT
We hope this will help plan your program of study. Please email masters@gapp.us.edu if you have any
questions.