How do I register for classes in the U.S.?
FAQ.
Answered by Jennifer Glass, Immigration Coordinator of the International Student Resource Center
Last updated: July, 2026
How do I register for classes in the U.S.?
The registration process varies by school, but you’ll usually meet with your academic advisor, review the degree requirements for your particular major and choose relevant courses offered in the particular semester you’re looking at, and then enroll in those courses through an online system — make sure you enroll full-time, which is required for F-1/J-1 status.
The general steps
Meet an academic or faculty advisor to review your degree requirements.
Select courses with your advisor’s guidance.
Enroll officially through your school’s online registration system.
Confirm your enrollment is full-time.
Important: Most of your classes must be in-person or hybrid — only one online class per semester (up to 3 credits) counts toward your F-1/J-1 full-time enrollment requirement. Once the semester begins, make sure not to drop any class that would put you below full-time unless you have already connected with your International Office and been authorized for a Reduced Course Load (RCL). To protect your immigration status, you need an RCL authorization in writing before dropping below full-time enrollment.
RELATED RESOURCES
What is considered full-time enrollment?
Can I take online classes as an international student?
