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		2008-09 Bulletin of the Duke University Graduate School

Registration

Registration

Registration Requirements. All students must register each fall and spring semester- for "continuation" and pay a registration fee each semester until all degree requirements are completed, unless waived by an approved leave of absence granted by the dean. Failure to maintain continuous registration each fall and spring will result in administrative withdrawal from the university.

Leave of Absence. Students who have been on leaves of absence and who intend to resume a degree program must give the department and the dean notice of this intention two months before registration.

Doctoral students. In addition to "continuation," doctoral students must also register for a total of 6 semesters of full-time tuition. For PhD students, approved transfer of an earned graduate degree may reduce the number of semesters of full-time tuition required for the degree to five semesters. After the 6 semesters of tuition, doctoral students will be charged only the registration fee. Specific course requirements for doctoral students are set by the degree-granting programs and departments. Students must be registered during the terms that they take qualifying, preliminary, and final examinations, and when they submit dissertations to the library.

Master's students. Full-time master's candidates must register for 9 units per semester until a minimum of 30 units of degree credit have been achieved (some programs require more than 30 units). Full-time students can enroll for fewer than 9 units only in the final semester in which they are completing the minimum number of degree credit. A registration fee and "continuation" registration for each semester are also required in all programs. Approved transfer course work into a master's program will not reduce the minimum registration of 30 units for a master's degree at Duke University. Students must be registered during the terms that they take final examinations and submit their theses to the library.

Registration Periods. All students who are enrolled in the Graduate School and who have not been granted a leave of absence by the dean must register each fall and spring until all degree requirements are completed. New students will register immediately prior to the first day of classes in either term; continuing students register during the announced registration periods (set by the Registrar's Office) in November and April.

Late Registration. All students are expected to register at the times specified by the university. A late registration fee of $25 is charged any student registering late, including a current student who delays registering until the registration for new students.

Summer Registration. Students who are in residence at Duke University during the spring and who plan to enroll for courses in the summer session should have their course programs approved by the director of graduate studies. Summer session students should register at announced times beginning with the February registration period and up to the Wednesday preceding the start of the appropriate term. Graduate students who are conducting research related to their degree and/or are receiving university fellowship or assistantship during the summer session, but are not enrolled in any courses, pay only the "continuation" fee.

The university does not mail statements for summer session tuition and fees. All tuition and fees should be paid in the Office of the Bursar at least five full working days prior to the first day of class (see summer session calendar). Students who fail to register and pay all tuition and fees before this deadline will be assessed a penalty by the Bursar. Failure to pay tuition and fees by the end of the drop/add period will result in administrative withdrawal of the student.

Summer session students may add a course or courses before or during the first three days of the term. Courses may also be dropped before and during the first three days, but a 20 percent tuition fee will be charged (1) if the course is not dropped before the first day, and (2) the dropped course(s) results in a total tuition reduction. Courses dropped after the third day of classes are not eligible for tuition refund.

Additional Registration Requirements. It is necessary to be a fully registered student according to the regulations listed in the chapter on "Registration" in order to be eligible for library carrel and laboratory space, student housing, university and some outside loans, and the Student Health Service, including accident and sickness insurance. See the chapter on "Student Life."

Full-time students in any degree program may audit courses without charge during the fall and spring semesters, if this is acceptable to the faculty teaching these courses. Students should obtain faculty permission prior to registering for the class. If the student is not in full-time status, an audit fee is charged.