6. Registration Every student is required to register as early as possible at the beginning of each semester in which courses, research, thesis or dissertation work are planned. The latter may be undertaken only under the direct supervision of a member of the faculty. No credit will be allowed for work done without proper registration. Proper registration is important for determination of the residence requirement. "Residence" implies the pursuit of advanced study or research while registered at UB-SUNY under the supervision of the Graduate School Faculty. A minimum registration period of one year on a full-time equivalent basis is required for the M.S. degree, and two years on a similar basis is required for the Ph.D. A Ph.D. candidate must also fulfill the Ph.D. residency requirement of at least two semesters as a full-time student. Students are required to register continuously during their period of graduate study until all requirements for the degree are completed. Students who, for one reason or another, cannot maintain continuous registration must request a Leave of Absence (using the Graduate Student Petition Form available at http://www.grad.buffalo.edu/forms/students/petition.pdf) before the start of the semester for which the leave is being requested. For this purpose, the student must petition the Dean of the Graduate School and obtain the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies. A leave of absence will only be granted to students in good academic standing. If the student is enrolled for less than 12 credits (less than 9 credits for TA¡¯s, GA¡¯s or RA¡¯s), and for all international students, the Certification of Full-Time Status form should be completed; see the page http://www.grad.buffalo.edu/forms/students/certfts.pdf. Leaves of absence will normally be granted for only one (1) semester at a time. Leaves of more than one (1) semester may require additional justification and documentation from the student and the student's advisor. Documented cases of financial hardship, illness, or compulsory military service constitute valid justification. Students who leave the program after completion of some graduate work, but have not been given an approved leave of absence, must reapply and be readmitted as a new student. Continued leaves of absence beyond two (2) semesters will not be granted.