Enrollment Status Change

Registrar: How to Change Your Enrollment Status

Students attending the University enroll in one of four enrollment status categories: Full-Time, Part-Time, Leave of Absence and Withdrawn. Each program academic catalog specifies the nature of each of these four categories for the various academic programs of the University.

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology Enrollment Status

A Psy.D. student is considered full-time if the student is: a) enrolled in a minimum of nine credit hours for two of the three previous semesters; b) enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours each semester and is enrolled in a practicum/externship; c) actively working on a dissertation (i.e., enrolled for dissertation credit hours); or d) engaged in a pre-doctoral internship.

The PsyD program is a full-time program. Students should be aware that courses at the University are offered once each academic year and often have pre-requisites. Part-time attendance and/or taking classes outside the established sequence could postpone eligibility for externship as well as graduation. There is a seven year limit to complete the Doctor of Psychology Program.

If a reduced course load changes a student’s enrollment status from full-time to part-time, it is the student’s responsibility to recognize the possible consequences (i.e., potential reduction of financial aid awards, SEVIS status, degree completion time, etc.) and take necessary action with the corresponding office (Financial Aid, International Student Coordinator, Registrar, Academic Advisor, etc.).

MS in Psychology Enrollment Status

A student in the M.S.P. Program is considered full-time if a minimum of six credit hours of coursework is taken per semester.

If a reduced course load changes a student’s enrollment status from full-time to part-time, it is the student’s responsibility to recognize the possible consequences (i.e. potential reduction of financial aid awards, SEVIS status, degree completion time, etc.) and take necessary action with the corresponding office (Financial Aid, International Student Coordinator, Registrar, Academic Advisor, etc.).

MS in Counseling Enrollment Status

A student in the M.S. Counseling Program is considered full-time if the student is: a) enrolled in a minimum of nine credit hours for two of the three previous semesters or b) enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours each semester and is enrolled in a practicum or internship course. For summer, enrollment a student must be enrolled for a minimum of six credits to be full-time and a minimum of three credits are needed for a student to be half-time. Students starting in the summer semester and students who have received approval from their academic advisor will be considered full-time with a minimum of three credits in summer.

This definition of part-time and full-time is to be used for academic and scholarship purposes only. If a reduced course load changes a student’s enrollment status from full-time to part-time, it is the student’s responsibility to recognize the possible consequences (i.e. potential reduction of financial aid awards, SEVIS status, degree completion time, etc.) and take necessary action with the corresponding office (Financial Aid, International Student Coordinator, Registrar, Academic Advisor, etc.)

Leave of Absence

Should a student enrolled in a degree program of the University find it necessary to interrupt active pursuit of their degree, he or she should discuss the need for a leave of absence with their academic advisor and must petition the Academic Dean in writing. Generally, a leave of absence is granted for good cause, and for a minimum of one academic semester for onsite programs or one term for online programs, and limited to one academic year.  Requests will be considered prior to the beginning of an academic semester.  For any request made during the academic semester, the grade assigned will follow the University’s withdrawal policy.

The right to make use of the University’s facilities is suspended while the leave of absence is in effect.  The student who discontinues active enrollment in courses without being granted a leave of absence, or a student granted a leave of absence who does not return to active enrollment in courses at the close of the approved period of time will be considered withdrawn, must apply for re-admission to the degree program, subject to the regulations and requirements then in force.  In such cases, acceptance into the program is not guaranteed, and any courses taken prior to the interruption of enrollment may not count toward graduation if they were not completed within the time allowed for degree completion.

While DMU policy may allow students a leave of absence of up to one calendar year, students who take advantage of this policy may be required to begin repayment of Title IV federal loans.  Students who are participating in Title IV federal financial aid programs may be granted a leave of absence of up to 180 days in a calendar year without entering repayment.  Therefore, students receiving federal financial aid are required to receive counseling from the Financial Aid Office prior to being granted a leave of absence.

Withdrawal from the University

A withdrawal from the University is defined as dropping all registered courses or failure to enroll each semester prior to completing all requirements for graduation.  To withdraw from the University at any time other than the close of the semester, students are required to consult their academic advisor and the Financial Aid Office, complete the University’s withdrawal procedure with the Office of the Registrar, and obtain official written notification of withdrawal.  Discontinuation of class attendance or notification to an instructor of withdrawal does not constitute an official withdrawal from the University.  Any student who withdraws from the University will be assigned a grade of Withdrawal (W), Withdrawal Passing (WP), or Withdrawal Failing (WF) as stated in the University’s course change policy.  Refunds will be made in accordance with the University’s refund policy.  In instances where the University’s withdrawal procedure is not completed, students will be responsible for the full payment of their accounts.

A student who withdraws from the Institute and wishes to continue coursework at the Institute must re-apply for admission following all applicable procedures required and pay the appropriate re-application fees.  

Life Experiences and Course Exemptions

The university does not permit course exemptions for life experiences.