Academics

Students in classThe Academic System at UAF

The academic year at UAF is composed of two semesters that are approximately 15 weeks in length. Summer courses may be scheduled during one or both of two consecutive sessions or they may bridge the entire summer session period beginning in the middle of May and lasting through mid-August.

Credit Hours

The quantity of academic work a student completes at UAF is measured in “credits.” The number of credits a course is assigned usually depends on the number of hours per week that it meets. A “three-credit course” generally meets three hours each week for one semester. At the end of the semester, students who have achieved passing grades in the course earn three credits. Some courses, such as laboratory courses, may meet more hours but have few credits assigned. The number of credits assigned to each course is in the class schedule and catalog.

Course Registration Requirements

According to immigration regulations, students in F-1 and J-1 status must be enrolled full-time and meet the following in-person credit requirements.

Students in F-1 Status:

  • Undergraduate students: You must take 12 credits each Fall and Spring semesters. 9 credits must be in-person in your major.
  • Graduate students: You must take 9 credits each Fall and Spring semesters. 6 credits must be in-person in your major.

Students in J-1 Status:

  • Undergraduate students: You must take the required 12 in-person course credits.
  • Graduate students: You must take the required 9 in-person course credits.

Course Delivery Types

The Following are Considered In-Person Courses:

  1. Session code: F, section number start: 9, type: face-to-face.
  2. Session code: C, section number start: 5, type: combination. NOTE: In-person/on campus component must be 51% or more. If a student is registered for this course delivery type ISSS will review the in-person/on campus component.
  3. Research/thesis credits (F699 or F698).

The Following are Considered via Distance Courses:

  1. Session code: O, section number start: 0, type: online asynchronous.
  2. Session code: U, section number start: 3, type: undefined.
  3. Session code: 7, section number start: 7, type: online synchronous.
  4. Independent/directed studies (F697).

Course Registration 

Contact your academic advisor for course registration instructions. Login to UAOnline to select your courses.

Academic Resources