Full Time Status with a Reduced Course Load

Disability Services for Students (DSS) may recommend full time status while enrolled in less than 12 credits hours as a reasonable accommodation for a student whose disability adversely affects his/her ability to complete the number of credit hours required for full time status. The disability must be significant enough that it precludes the student from carrying a full time course load in a designated semester. In addition, the reduced course load must not affect the academic integrity of the program in which the student is enrolled. The accommodation will no longer be in effect if the student drops any of the specific courses or falls below the number of credits approved.

Full time status with a reduced course load is defined as not less than 9 credits. In addition, the student is entitled to all the services, benefits, honors, rights and privileges of full time status at the University of North Dakota (UND), except for situations controlled by external entities not bound by this policy. When granted a reduced course load accommodation, the student must meet the same academic requirements and standards for satisfactory academic progress that apply to other UND students.

Student Responsibilities

• Request the accommodation in a timely manner.


• Provide the necessary documentation and/or information* for DSS to make a reasonable accommodation determination.


• Follow the DSS policy and procedure regarding full time status with a reduced course load.


• Notify DSS if there is a need to drop below the number of approved courses.

DSS Responsibilities

• Verify the student has a disability, as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Amendments Act.


• Determine whether the student’s disability is severe enough to qualify for this status as a reasonable accommodation.


• Notify the student and the UND official that the request has been approved as a reasonable accommodation.

UND Responsibilities

• Notify the student and DSS of the final decision.


• Implement the accommodation.

* Confidentiality of disability information is protected by the Americans With Disabilities Amendments Act and records pertaining to the reduced course load/full time status are subject to FERPA regulations.