College of Health Science

Full-Time Enrollment and Reasonable Progress Policy

Not authorized for issuance of F-1 student visas

To maintain satisfactory academic progress and compliance with institutional, federal, and immigration regulations, graduate students are expected to enroll in a course load consistent with the academic design of their degree program.

International students (F-1 visa holders) must maintain a minimum of 6 units per term to be considered full-time under federal immigration regulations established by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and the U.S. Department of Education. Any reduction below this threshold must receive prior authorization from the Office of International Student Services (OISS), "if permissible", through an approved Reduced Course Load (RCL) request in accordance with SEVP regulations.

While the above federal full-time regulations must be followed for F-1 students to maintain their status, the recommended course load for timely progress and program completion is 8 to 10 units per term. Students are advised that enrolling in less than the recommended enrollment may face challenges in completing their intended degree due to immigration restrictions. Enrollment below 6 units is considered less than full-time and may affect eligibility for university scholarships or financial assistance requiring full-time enrollment, as well as the F-1 regulation to maintain reasonable progress toward the degree.

*Online Course Limitations:

Only “one class or three credits (or the equivalent) per term” may be counted toward the full course of study requirement. The student’s schedule must meet the full course of study minimum without relying on more than 3 online credits for that term.

Employment/CPT/OPT

Professional Licensure & Credentialing Limitation

For programs that require or offer practical training as part of the degree, F-1 students must receive Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization from the Office of International Student Services (OISS) before beginning any required or optional training experience that meets federal definitions of “employment.”

Training requires CPT authorization even if it is unpaid, part-time, or conducted on campus when it meets any of the following conditions:

The student provides a service that a normal employee could provide, or the experience otherwise benefits an external organization or client.
The training satisfies programmatic or licensure requirements, such as practicum, student teaching, or fieldwork hours.
The student interacts with external clients or organizations as part of a Pepperdine-operated clinic or training site.

Training also requires CPT authorization when it is formally tracked and evaluated as part of a practicum, field experience, or applied course that is:

Required for degree completion, or
Required by a professional licensing body (for example, MFT, LPCC, Teacher Credentialing, or other clinical/professional credentials).

Programs With Required Curricular Practical

Notice for Programs Requiring Curricular Practical Training (CPT) within the first Academic Year:

Certain academic programs require participation in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) as an integral and mandatory component of the curriculum beginning in the first academic year.

In these programs, it must be clearly outlined and written that:

CPT participation is required for all students as part of degree completion.
The curriculum mandates that students begin CPT in the first academic year (e.g., first or second semester), as clearly stated in the official course catalog and program materials.
The practical training component is a core and non-optional element of the academic program.
Students are formally enrolled in courses that are directly associated with and support the required off-campus training experience.

Because CPT is a required and integral component of the curriculum that must begin in the first academic year, eligible students may be authorized for CPT prior to completing one full academic year.

Notice for Programs Requiring or Offering CPT after Year One of Enrollment:

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) may be authorized for eligible students after the completion of one full academic year of full-time enrollment, in accordance with federal F-1 regulations.

For CPT authorization to be approved, the following conditions must be met:

The practical training must be directly tied to a course that carries academic credit (e.g., internship, practicum, or fieldwork course).
The student must be enrolled in the corresponding course during the same academic term in which the CPT is authorized.
The training experience must be directly related to the student’s field of study.
The experience must support and contribute to the student’s academic objectives as defined by the program curriculum.

Notice for F-1 Students: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Requirement -

This program requires practical training as part of the degree. F-1 students must receive Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization from the Office of International Student Services (OISS) before beginning any required or optional training experience that meets federal definitions of “employment.”

College of Health Science (CHS) - Note: - these programs are not yet authorized for issuance of F-1 student visas:

MS SLP: Required for all; may begin first term or year (SLP 691–695).
MSPAS (Physician Assistant Studies): Required for all; may begin Trimester 5–7 (PA 690–697).