You must enroll in at least 12 units of coursework in your certificate program each quarter. Most UCLA Extension courses carry 4 units each, so you can enroll in three courses. Some programs include courses that carry different unit values, so you’ll need to make sure you’re enrolled in a total of 12 units every quarter. Enroll in every course for a letter grade.
We recommend that you enroll early, as once the quarterly catalog is available, courses fill quickly. If you drop or withdraw from a course, you may fall below the required 12 units to maintain your visa status. In doing so, your immigration record will be terminated and you will need to plan for your immediate departure from the U.S. Please consult with ISS prior to dropping or withdrawing from any course during the quarter.
An earned grade of F (i.e., you’ve gone to the classes, but haven’t grasped the course material) does not harm your F-1 visa status. That course will not count toward earning your certificate. If you fail a required course, you will have to take it again.
If it is your last quarter and you need fewer than 12 units to complete the program, you can drop below the 12 units minimum during that quarter only.
If in a given quarter your quarterly GPA falls below 1.5, or your cumulative GPA falls below 2.0, you will be subject to academic probation. Subsequent quarters below a 2.0 will result in academic disqualification. These academic statuses will impact your immigration status. Please contact ISS if you have further questions about academic probation or disqualification, and how these will affect your immigration status.