Eligibility for Reduced Registration

Students enrolled in thesis-based degree programs who have completed a minimum number of courses and research credit hours in their degree programs are eligible to continue to pursue their graduate program as full-time students at a reduced registration level. In order to be considered for this reduced, full-time registration category, students must satisfy the following requirements:

1. For M.S. students,
   1. Completion of 30 credits of eligible course, research, and transfer credits combined (36, if Master’s degree requires 36 credits), and
   2. Paid for 24 credits (27, if Master’s degree requires 36 credits).
      1. 1-9 credits per semester count as paid credits; 10-15 credits do not count as paid credits.
   3. Submit Degree Audit form (must have approved committee form on file with OGS) and indicate on the form that they want to be on Reduced Registration by:
      • May 1 for fall semester reduced registration
      • Last day of priority registration (see Academic Calendar) for spring semester reduced registration
2. For PhD students,
   1. Completion of 72 credits of eligible course, research, and transfer credits combined, and
   2. Paid for 54 credits.
      1. 1-9 credits per semester count as paid credits; 10-15 credits do not count as paid credits.
   3. Submit Degree Audit form (must have approved committee form on file with OGS) and indicate on the form that they want to be on Reduced Registration by:
      • May 1 for fall semester reduced registration
      • Last day of priority registration (see Academic Calendar) for spring semester reduced registration
   4. Submit Admission to Candidacy form by the first day of classes in the semester for which the student wishes to be on Reduced Registration.  

Note: 

• Students on reduced registration do not get reduced tuition
• Students on reduced registration pay for the number of credits registered

Reduced registration will benefit students in the following categories who need to be considered full-time students:

• International students
• Students on RA/TA contracts, hourly contracts or fellowships
• Students on financial aid or wishing to defer financial aid payments

Reduced Registration Credit Calculator

Once a student qualifies for Reduced Registration, the student must register correctly. Students who qualify for Reduced Registration, but fail to register correctly will not be put on Reduced Registration.

All students who qualify for Reduced Registration will receive an email with registration instructions. If a student doesn’t get an email, but thinks (s)he should qualify, the student must contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@mines.edu.  Students who register for 4 credits, but are not eligible and or are not on the reduced registration list will not be put on reduced registration and will be considered “less than half-time” students.