Credit Guidelines

The regulations of The Graduate School with respect to registration are found at Credit Guidelines. Important considerations are:

Tuition waivers

  • If the student is on a fellowship, traineeship, or assistantship, they must be registered for at least six credits each semester to be eligible for tuition waivers.
  • Please note that tuition waivers do not cover associated university fees. These must be paid by the student or by their faculty advisor.

Graduate Teaching or Research Assistants (GTAs/GRAs)

  • Students employed as GTA’s and GRA’s pay in-state tuition rates.
  • GRA’s are limited by The Graduate School to no more than 12 credits per semester if working more than 15 hours per week. GRA’s who are appointed to fewer than 15 hours per week may carry up to 15 credits per semester. Special permission is required to take more than 15 credits.
  • Our TA’s are appointed to a 19 hour per week workload (class time, preparation and grading included).

International Students

International students must register for at least nine credits each semester.

Financial Aid

Usually requires 6 credits per semester.

Montana residency

  • Out-of-state students wishing to become Montana residents must begin a process that takes a full 12 months.
  • Consult the Registrar’s Office for Residency requirements.

Continuous enrollment

All graduate students who have passed their comprehensive exams or have completed their program coursework must be enrolled for a minimum of 3 credits of MB 590/690 while working on their dissertation/thesis.

Comprehensive exams, defense of dissertation/thesis, graduation

Registration for at least three credits is required during the semester in which the student is taking oral examinations, defending a dissertation/thesis and also during the semester of graduation.

One credit final semester registration

A student who has completed all requirements for their degree (coursework, defense, approval of dissertation/thesis by the Vice Provost of DGE) on or before the day of the following semester may register for a minimum of 1 credit. This allows additional time past the intended semester of graduation but prior to the first day of the following semester. Graduation will officially be that following semester. Students who intend to do this should contact The Graduate School.

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