By the Preliminary Study List deadline each quarter, students must be enrolled at either full-time status or enrolled in sufficient units to meet requirements for an approved part-time status. Students may add or drop courses through the Final Study List deadline, and have the option to withdraw from a class or alter a variable grading basis through the course withdrawal and grading basis deadline. Additional or alternate deadlines may apply in certain schools, programs, or during shortened sessions within a term.
Undergraduate students are required to take at least 12 units per quarter. Graduate students must take at least 8 units per quarter, but departments and schools may set a higher minimum.
Students with unmet financial or other University obligations may have a hold placed on their account that prevents registration and access to academic documents, and by attending Stanford, they agree to this policy.
Undergraduates are admitted to Stanford University with the expectation that they complete their degree programs in a reasonable amount of time but a Leave of Absence can allow a student to take a break from enrollment either before or after a quarter begins. Leaves of absence may not exceed a cumulative total of two years. There may also be conditions associated with a Leave which are outlined in greater detail below.
Leaves of Absence can allow a student to take a break from enrollment either before or after a quarter begins. Leaves of absence may not exceed a cumulative total of two years, across both the undergraduate and graduate careers. There may also be conditions associated with a leave which are outlined in greater detail below.
Leaves of Absence can allow a student to take a break from enrollment either before or after a quarter begins. Leaves of absence may not exceed a cumulative total of two years. There may also be conditions associated with a Leave which are outlined in greater detail below.
Stanford allows students facing significant health, safety, or functional challenges to take a voluntary leave of absence and, in rare cases, may impose an involuntary leave if a student poses a serious risk or disruption that cannot be mitigated through reasonable accommodations. The process involves an individualized assessment, consultation with relevant parties, written notice and appeal rights, and specific conditions for return, with the goal of supporting student well-being rather than serving as a disciplinary action.
Special registration statuses allow a student to take fewer units in their final quarter. Students on an approved special registration status are typically assessed a reduced tuition rate.
Special registration statuses allow a student to take fewer units than are typically required. Students on an approved special registration status are usually assessed a reduced tuition rate.
Coterm students may request to transfer Stanford courses between their undergraduate and graduate careers to meet degree requirements, subject to approval from both degree programs and the Office of the University Registrar.
Stanford University participates in a limited number of exchange programs at the graduate level, permitting Stanford graduate students enrolled in a degree program to register for courses at other participating universities, and permitting graduate students at those universities to register for courses at Stanford.
A student’s active enrollment status at Stanford may be discontinued for reasons such as failing to enroll or obtain an approved leave of absence by the final study list deadline, voluntarily leaving, academic dismissal, or expulsion. Students in these situations must apply for reinstatement to return to their program, unless they are already in an approved leave within policy limits.
Former students who were discontinued may apply for reinstatement into their degree program. The University is not obliged to approve reinstatements of students. Students who have been expelled from Stanford are not permitted to apply for reinstatement.
Auditing is permitted only for certain Stanford-affiliated individuals with required approvals, and auditors may observe (but not actively participate in) eligible lecture courses without receiving credit or an official record. Auditors must join before the study list deadline, are not eligible for most university services, and count toward course enrollment limits.
Students should notify instructors in advance of absences for religious observances, with additional guidance available from the Office for Religious Life.
Coterminal students are generally ineligible for undergraduate special registration statuses but may qualify for specific graduate statuses based on their tuition group, degree progress, and, where applicable, approval from the Office of Accessible Education.
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