At different program levels, the definition of "full course of study" may vary accordingly:
1. At the postgraduate or postdoctoral study level (such as master's, doctoral, or post-doctoral programs), the Designated School Official (DSO) of each academic institution has authority to certify which is a full course of study;
2. At an undergraduate study level, "full course of study" usually consists of at least twelve semester or quarter hours per academic semester;
3. At a postsecondary level conferring associate or other degrees in language, liberal arts, fine arts, or other non-vocational program, "full course of study" also consists of at least twelve clock hours of instruction a week;
4. For a study in any other language, liberal arts, fine arts, or other nonvocational training program, "full course of study" consists of at least eighteen clock hours of attendance a week if classroom instruction dominates the course, or consists of at least twenty-two clock hours a week if the dominant part of the course of study consists of laboratory work;
5. For a study in a primary school or academic high school, "full course of study" consists of class attendance for not less than the minimum number of hours a week prescribed by the school for normal progress towards gradua