Faculty, Staff and Departments

Information on international students

who is an international student?

An International Student is a person who is a non-resident student currently studying in the United States with an F-1 or J-1 visa or intend to enter the United States for education with F-1 or J-1 visa.

academic information

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulates the academic progress of international students through Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Among the federal regulations that international students must follow in order to maintain their legal status:

  • Maintain full-time enrollment during the Fall and Spring semester
    • 12 credit hours for undergraduate students
    • 9 credit hours for graduate students with 25% assistantship
    • 6 credit hours for graduate students with 50% assistantship
  • Petition must be filed if international students drop below full-time status. Some of the circumstances include:
    • The student require fewer than 12 credit hours to complete his/her program in the final semester
    • Initial difficulties with English requirement
    • Unfamiliarity with American teaching methods
    • Improper course level placement
  • International students that change their majors/department need to get a new Form I-20 issued
  • An extension needs to be applied if the student cannot complete his/her degree by the ending date on the Form I-20
  • Only grades A,B,C,D or F will be considered as completion of the course. Grades I or W will not qualify

 

employment Information

International students have certain restrictions and guidelines to follow for employment in order to maintain their legal status in the United States:

  • International students are only allowed for employment on-campus and must obtain work permit from ISS prior to the employment
  • Employment must not exceed 20 hours per week, but internationals are allowed to work full-time during summer and official school break
  • Internships are permitted if the nature of the job is related to the major of study and are approved by instructors
  • Optional Practical Training (OPT) can be granted after graduation for a period of 12 months
  • H1-b visa allows international students be employed by American companies and universities:
    • Temporary employment for internationals who have at least a Bachelor's degree
    • Maximum duration for a H1-b visa is six years