Registration

Registration Basics

  • Students can register for classes by logging into www.myu.umn.edu and clicking on “Academics” in the left-hand bar. Exact registration dates for each semester may be found online here.
  • Graduate courses at the University of Minnesota are four digit numbers that begin with either a 5xxx or 8xxx. Exchange students should check with their home institutions if they wish to take undergraduate courses (1xxx to 4xxx), and discuss it with the GPC. 
  • Detailed information on registration is available at One Stop.
  • Register by the first day of classes to avoid late fees. If this does not occur, the student will be discontinued from the program and will have to reapply to continue with their degree.
  • Students are advised to register early, because courses without sufficient enrollment may be subject to cancellation. This also allows the GPC and the advisors to check registration to make sure everyone is on track. 
  • Courses may easily be added, dropped or grade bases changed during the first two weeks of classes. Registration exceptions after that time may be requested, but approval is not guaranteed. The online form ("Graduate Registration Exception Request") for this is on the One Stop Forms page in the "Registration" section.
  • Courses may be dropped up until the 8th week, although a “W” will appear on your transcript after the second week.
  • Graduate Instructors normally carry three courses per semester. Directed readings courses should be taken only for a strong academic rationale, with the approval of the adviser, the DGS, and the department chair. 
  • Graduate students who are still working on coursework are considered full-time when registered for a minimum of 6 credits per semester. International students are required to carry a minimum of 6 credits per semester to maintain their visa status. The tuition benefit for 50% graduate assistantships (i.e. a typical TA load) is for up to 14 credits per semester. After registering for coursework, students should add thesis credits (FREN 8888) until they reach 14 credits for the semester. Contact the GPC with questions or trouble registering for these credits.

The consequences for not registering or for falling below the minimum credits are:

  • your assistantship will automatically be terminated retroactive to the beginning of the semester;
  • your job classification will change to a non-student title (if appropriate);
  • you will be billed for any tuition benefit received that term;
  • you will lose health insurance benefits; and
  • social security taxes will be withheld from your wages.

Incoming Students

  • It is recommended that Graduate Instructors enroll for at least three graduate courses (usually at the 5xxx or 8xxx level) per semester, until program course work requirements are met. No combination of courses may be used to take fewer than five graduate courses per year without the approval of a student’s adviser and the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS). Graduate Assistantships cover tuition up to 14 credits per semester; beyond that graduate students will be required to pay the additional tuition. 
  • Incoming graduate students should enroll in 14 credits for fall semester 2023. They should enroll in FRIT 5999 (3 credits), 2 FREN or FRIT seminars (3 credits each), and 5 credits of FREN 8888 (Thesis Credit: Doctoral) if they are in the PhD program. French Ph.D. students need 24 thesis credits to graduate (they are simply "empty credits" with no coursework), so it's important to enroll in them every semester until 24 credits have been reached. 
  • FRIT 5999 and FREN 5995 are required for both graduate students as well as exchange students. All incoming students should enroll in FRIT 5999 in fall semester 2023, and then FREN 5995 in spring semester 2024 (when the time comes). 
  • Students must be registered for at least one course prior to the first day of classes or else they will be charged a late fee; students can change or add classes afterward as needed. 
  • Enrollment in six credits is required to maintain full-time status, which is especially important for international students.
  • International students will be able to register for classes before they have gone through the ISSS Check-In through MyISSS, but they will need to complete this to lift the hold and be able to register for future semesters. 
  • If students wish to enroll in language classes to meet their language requirement for the Ph.D., they must enroll in the classes at the 4xxx level, rather than the 1xxx level. If this option does not exist when they go to register, they should contact the language department’s office and tell them that they need to enroll at the graduate level

International Students

If for some reason you must fall below the minimum requirements, international students should consult the International Student and Scholar Services office (www.isss.umn.edu, 612-626-7100) for more information; those who need student loan deferment should consult the lending institution.

ABD Students

ABDs register for FREN 8444 or GRAD 0999 depending on the requirements.

Students who have completed their thesis credits and all other requirements except the dissertation and defense, are considered ABD (All But Dissertation). ABDs who need to have full-time equivalent (FTE) status (e.g., for assistantships, UMN fellowships, or loans) register for FREN 8444. Students who don’t need FTE status register for GRAD 0999 (a special no-credit, no-cost option). GRAD 0999 is usually used by students who are abroad and don't have loans or who have exceeded their support (and do not have loans).

  • FREN 8444: The Graduate School requires a form that needs to be filled out and submitted before you may register. The form ("Application for Advanced Doctoral Status") is available on the One Stop Forms page under "Registration." After it is signed, submit it to the Graduate Programs Coordinator.
  • ABD students who choose to take classes are not eligible for FREN 8444 and must pay for the courses themselves as the University will only cover the one-credit FTE registration. (Note: Students who receive awards through the University’s Financial Aid Office could have the amount of their award reduced by using the 8444 option. Contact the Financial Aid Office before registering.)
  • GRAD 0999: Students who are no longer eligible for departmental support may register up to 4 times for GRAD 0999 without getting special approval from the DGS.

Transfer Credits

Transferring graduate courses from outside the University 
Graduate course credits earned at other accredited institutions may be transferred to master’s or doctoral degree plans subject to approval by the University graduate program and the limits described below. In the case of a transfer from a non-United States institution, graduate course credits to be transferred must have been earned in a program judged by the University graduate program to be comparable to a graduate degree program of a regionally accredited institution in the United States. Transfer of thesis credits is not allowed. 

  • For master’s degrees – A minimum of 60% of total course credits (not including thesis credits) required for a specific master’s degree must be taken at the University. Transferred credits can include a maximum of 12 graduate course credits taken as non-degree seeking or non-admitted status. Transfer of thesis credits is not allowed. 
  • For doctoral degrees – The department will determine, on a case-by-case basis, how many transfer course credits doctoral students may apply toward their degree requirement up to 100%. However, doctoral students must take a minimum of 12 course credits at the University. Transferred credits can include a maximum of 12 graduate course credits taken as non degree seeking or non-admitted status. Transfer of thesis credits is not allowed. 

More information can be found online here.

Leave of Absence

Students who are compelled to suspend formal registration for any period of time for medical or other reasons should talk to the the Director of Graduate Studies and Graduate Program Coordinator as soon as possible, preferably before suspending registration. They will also need to fill out the "Leave of Absence Request" form and get an updated funding letter. A LOA stops the clock on the time to degree.

  • If you are registered before the LOA is approved, you must cancel your classes yourself. It doesn’t automatically happen.
  • In order to return, you will need to fill out and submit the “Leave of Absence Reinstatement Request” form. Please do so at least 3 months prior to the term you plan to return for.
  • Once on a LOA, you will not have access to University services unless you opt into them and pay the associated fees.