Reduced Course Load (RCL)

If you are having initial academic difficulties, a temporary illness or a medical condition that prevents full-time enrollment, or you need fewer than a full course load in your last term to complete your program, you may qualify for a reduced course load (RCL).

Academic Reduced Course Load

  • Use to reduce under 12 units during your first year of your studies in the U.S. due to academic challenges.
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Use this reduced course load for when you are having academic-related difficulties during your first year of your studies in the U.S. and need to enroll in less than 12 units. Must qualify for one of the reasons below: 

  • Initial difficulty with reading requirements
  • Initial difficulty with the English language
  • Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods
  • Improper course level placement
  • Can only be used during first year of studies in the U.S. 
    → If you used Academic RCL at another U.S. institution, you are not eligible anymore
  • Can only be used one time
  • Must be enrolled in 12 units at the time of request
    → You cannot request or be approved for Academic RCL if you are under 12 units without approval. This also includes if professor has dropped the student from their class
  • If approved, must maintain a minimum of 6 units at PCC
  • Can only enroll in one, 3-unit online class towards the remainder of their units while on approved RCL  
  • Must enroll in 12 units in the next regular term
  1. Complete the Academic RCL Form.
  2. Meet with an Academic Counselor. Academic Counselor recommends and signs your RCL form. Note: This is not an approval.
  3. Submit the signed RCL form to the International Student Center (ISC) at iso@pasadena.edu.
  4. Wait for an email notification from the ISC before dropping your class(es). If approved, you may drop your class(es). 
  5. If your request is denied, meet with an Educational Advisor at the ISC for options.
  • Verify that student is enrolled in 12 units before signing off the RCL form
  • Verify that, if approved for RCL, student will have at minimum 6 units at PCC
  • Verify that student has only one, 3-unit online class enrollment towards the remainder of their classes
  • Remind student not to drop their class(es) until they get approval email from the ISC
  • Contact Advisors Rosa Villegas or Cathy Chen if you need help with the RCL form. 

Final Semester Reduced Course Load

Use this reduced course load for when you are completing your program of study (Associate's Degrees only) and will require less than 12 units of enrollment in your final term.

  • Can only be used when an Academic Counselor certifies the student will earn an Associate's Degree and will require less than 12 units to complete their program in their final term
  • Can maintain a minimum of 1 unit
  • Final semester RCL classes cannot be all online
  • Can register for one (1) online class of equal or lesser unit value than hybrid or in-person class(es)
    → For example - If approved for 6 units of Reduced Course Load for Final Semester
    4 units in-person/hybrid + 2 units online = OK
    5 units in-person/hybrid + 1 unit online = OK
    3 units in-person/hybrid + 3 units online = OK
    2 units in-person/hybrid + 4 units online = NOT OK
  1. Complete the Academic RCL Form.
  2. Meet with an Academic Counselor. Academic Counselor recommends and signs your RCL form. Note: This is not an approval.
  3. Submit the RCL form to the International Student Center (ISC) at iso@pasadena.edu.
  4. Wait for email notification from the ISC before dropping your class(es). If approved, you may drop your class(es).
  5. If your request is denied, meet with an Educational Advisor at the ISC for options.
  • Verify student will be earning an Associate's degree(s) from PCC
  • File the petition to graduate and provide student a copy or record of filing
  • Remind student they can register for only one (1) online class of equal or lesser unit value than the hybrid/in-person class(es) 
  • Final semester RCL classes cannot be all online
  • Remind student not to drop their class(es) until they get approval email from the ISC
  • Contact Advisors Rosa Villegas or Cathy Chen if you need help with the RCL form
  •  

Medical Reduced Course Load

Use this reduced course load for when you have a medical condition or illness that is preventing and/or affecting your ability to attend or stay enrolled in full-time status. 

  • Can only be certified by a United States medical docotr (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.), Psychologist (PsychD) or Clincial Psychologist recommending either a zero (0) unit or part-time enrollment in classes.  → Doctors outside of the U.S. cannot certify a Medical Reduced Course Load at PCC
  • Can only be used an aggregate (total) of 12 months
  • Must file a Medical Reduced Course Load form and updated doctor's letter every regular semester they wish to be considered 
  1. Complete the Medical RCL Form.
  2. Submit the Medical RCL Form and an official, signed doctor's letter to the ISC at iso@pasadena.edu.
  3. Wait for email notification from the ISC before dropping your class(es). If approved, you may drop your class(es).
  4. If your request is denied, meet with an Educational Advisor at the ISC for options
  • Letter must be current and contain office letterhead, address, contact information, and medical license number
  • Letter must state the student's medical condition, estimated time of recovery (when possible), recommended enrollment (e.g. part-time enrollment or no enrollment), and recommended semester and year. (e.g. Fall 2025, Spring 2026, etc.)
  • Letter must be signed and dated by an M.D., D.O., PsychD, or Clincial Psychologist
    → Clinical Social Workers, Nurse Practitioners, or any other health care providers other than those listed above cannot sign the letter

Source: Title 8 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 214.2(f)(6)(iii)-(iv)