Special registration categories

Maintain active status

To participate as a graduate student at the University, it is required that you maintain active status. In order remain active, you must register for every fall and spring term. If you do not register for every fall and spring term, your student status is discontinued (considered inactive), and you must apply for readmission if you wish to return. You can read more about active status in the leave of absence and reinstatement policy.

As a graduate student, there may be a time when you need to register solely to meet your registration requirements and avoid inactive status. Special registration categories are options to help you remain active.

Special registration categories

The following special registration categories are restricted to graduate and professional students. Speak with your college or department for more information, or to find out what will work best for your situation.

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GRAD 999: Graduate School Active Status

GRAD 999 is a zero-credit, zero-tuition registration option intended for graduate students who have completed all coursework and (if applicable) thesis credit requirements, and who must maintain registration to meet the registration requirement. GRAD 999 enrollment serves only to maintain active student status. Students with GRAD 999 enrollment are not eligible for financial aid, and this status cannot be used for student loan deferment. Students may not hold graduate assistantships while enrolled in GRAD 999. 

While registered for GRAD 999, you can:

  • Meet the active status requirement
  • File graduate degree plan; petition; application for degree
  • Take master's final exam; doctoral prelim written/oral exam; doctoral final exam
  • Submit degree clearance materials (e.g., exam forms, thesis)
  • Use U Library resources

If you register for GRAD 999, you are not required to pay the Student Services Fee; however, you may elect to do so if you wish to use or support the services covered by the fee. 

International students are strongly encouraged to confer with the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) office if they are considering GRAD 999 registration to discuss how to maintain legal status and maintain health benefits. 

8333: Advanced Master's Status (full-time equivalency for master's students)

8333 is a one-credit registration option for eligible master’s students who must certify full-time status to be in compliance with requirements of the University and/or external agencies (e.g., employment as a graduate assistant; loan deferment). Students eligible for 8333 can be employed in one of the low-tuition/low-fringe job classes. 

While registered for 8333, you can:

  • Meet the active status requirement
  • File graduate degree plan; petition; application for degree
  • Take master's final exam
  • Submit degree clearance materials (e.g., exam forms, thesis)
  • Use U Library resources 
  • Hold graduation assistantships
  • Carry health insurance, but only if TA/RA on Graduate Assistant Health Plan
  • Retain legal status (international students)
  • Defer loans
  • Receive financial aid

Applications for Advanced Master’s Status must be submitted to GSSP by the following deadlines:

  • August 15th for the following fall term
  • December 15th for the following spring term
  • May 15th for the following summer term

Graduate Student Services and Progress will review applications to ensure that you hold active status; have a college-approved Graduate Degree Plan on file; have completed all coursework included on the Graduate Degree Plan – with grades posted to the transcript (exception: Plan B project registrations); and, if your are a Master’s Plan A or Professional Master’s in Engineering (Design Track) student, that you have completed the 10-credit master’s thesis credit (8777) requirement. Upon approval of the 8333 application, the Office of the Registrar will notify you via email (with a copy to your DGS).

8444: Advanced Doctoral Status (full-time equivalency for doctoral students)

8444 is a one-credit registration option for eligible doctoral students who must certify full-time status to be in compliance with requirements of the University and/or external agencies (e.g., employment as a graduate assistant; loan deferment). Students eligible for 8444 can be employed in one of the low-tuition/low-fringe job classes.

While registered for 8444, students can:

  • Meet the active status requirement
  • File graduate degree plan; petition; application for degree
  • Take doctoral final exam
  • Submit degree clearance materials (e.g., exam forms, thesis)
  • Use U Library resources
  • Hold graduation assistantships
  • Carry health insurance, but only if TA/RA on Graduate Assistant Health Plan
  • Retain legal status (international students)
  • Defer loans
  • Receive financial aid

In addition to completing all degree program coursework, you will become eligible to apply for the 8444 Advanced Doctoral Status registration option the term after you:

  1. Successfully complete the preliminary written examination. 
  2. Successfully complete the preliminary oral examination; signed examination form on file with the Graduate Student Services and Progress (GSSP) Office.
  3. Complete all coursework included on the Degree Program Form, with grades posted to the transcript.
  4. Completed 24 doctoral thesis credits.

Application for Advanced Doctoral Status must be submitted to the student’s graduate program office for review and approval by the DGS. Your advisor also must review the application to determine whether you are making satisfactory degree progress. Note: you must submit an application for 8444 Advanced Doctoral Status registration to your graduate program office prior to every term you intend to register for 8444.

8666: Doctoral Pre-Thesis Credits

8666 is a registration option for graduate students who must be registered for a specific number of credits (usually to be in compliance with requirements of the University and/or external agencies such as employment as a graduate assistant, loan deferment, etc.), and for whom neither coursework registration nor the other special registration categories are an option.

While registered for 8666, you can:

  • Meet the active status requirement
  • File graduate degree plan; petition; application for degree
  • Take doctoral prelim written/oral exam; doctoral final exam
  • Submit degree clearance materials (e.g., exam forms, thesis)
  • Use U Library resources
  • Hold graduation assistantships
  • Carry health insurance
  • Retain legal status (international students)
  • Defer loans
  • Receive financial aid

8777: Master's Thesis Credits

8777 registrations cannot be used to meet any degree requirements other than the master’s thesis credit requirement. Grades are not assigned to 8777 registrations. 

While registered for 8777, you can:

  • Meet the active status requirement
  • File graduate degree plan; petition; application for degree
  • Take master's final exam
  • Submit degree clearance materials (e.g., exam forms, thesis)
  • Use U Library resources
  • Hold graduation assistantships
  • Carry health insurance
  • Retain legal status (international students)
  • Defer loans
  • Receive financial aid

8888: Doctoral Thesis Credits

All doctoral candidates (i.e., doctoral students who have passed their preliminary oral examination) are required to register for 24 semester credits of 8888. Graduate programs have the discretion to determine when it is academically appropriate for you to take 8888. 

While registered for 8888, you can:

  • Meet the active status requirement
  • File graduate degree plan; petition; application for degree
  • Take doctoral prelim written/oral exam; doctoral final exam
  • Submit degree clearance materials (e.g., exam forms, thesis)
  • Use U Library resources
  • Hold graduation assistantships
  • Carry health insurance
  • Retain legal status (international students)
  • Defer loans
  • Receive financial aid