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Enrollment & Maintaining Status

International students are required by law to enroll in a full course of study at all times. Failure to enroll in a full course of study or dropping below the minimum requirements will result in a student’s immigration status being terminated.

A-State policy prohibits international students from registering at other satellite campuses in the A-State system. If a student wishes to register at another campus, the student will need to apply for a transfer to that campus. The campus must be able to issue the appropriate immigration documents before a transfer will be approved.

Fall and Spring Enrollment Requirements

Academic Level Student Situation Total Hours Required Instruction Type
ESL All ESL students ELA registers students in required 12 hours N/A
Undergraduate (F1, J1) New and continuing students enrolled in an UG program 12 credit hours 9 hours must be “face-to- face” or WEBA instruction. All else can be WEB.
Pre-Requisite Graduate Students New and continuing students admitted for a GR program but having to take UG courses 12 credit hours 9 hours must be “face-to-face” or WEBA instruction. All else can be WEB.
Graduate

New and continuing students enrolled in an GR program
9 credit hours 6 hours must be “face- to- face” or WEBA instruction. All else can be WEB.
Graduate Assistants Graduate Assistants 6 credit hours 3 hours must be “face-to face” or WEBA instruction. All else can be WEB.
Doctoral Students New and continuing students enrolled in a doctoral program 9 credit hours 6 must be “face to face” or WEBA instruction. All else can be WEB.
Thesis or Equivalent Work Students enrolled in a continuing program Follow the rules and regulations as specified in the section on completing course requirements. Or must register in thesis/dissertation (or equivalent) hours following the full course of study requirements. Depends on the department requirement.

Summer Enrollment Requirements

Academic Level Student Situation Total Hours Required Instruction Type
ESL First semester ELA registers students in required hours N/A
Undergraduate UG students who start in spring and do not go home for summer or UG students who start in summer 9 credit hours 6 must be “face-to-face” or WEBA instruction. All others can be WEB.
Continuing (F1, J1)  students who have been enrolled for at least 1 academic year (32 weeks) None Enrollment optional.
Pre-Requisite Graduate Students GR students who are in a GR program, but having to take UG courses and started in Spring or Summer 9 credit hours 6 must be “face-to-face” or WEBA instruction. All others can be WEB.
Graduate GR students who start in spring and do not go home for summer or GR students who start in summer 6 credit hours 3 must be “face-to face” or WEBA instruction. All others can be WEB.
Graduate continuing students

Continuing students who have been enrolled for at least 1 academic year

(32 weeks)		 None Enrollment Optional.
Doctoral students New and continuing* depends on program requirements 6 credit hours for new students 3 credit hours must be “face-to-face” for new students.

Exceptions to Full Time Study

There are some instances in which a student may take below the minimum required hours. They are listed below. If you feel that you meet one of these criteria, please fill out the Reduced Course Load Form, found on this page.

Final Semester

Students in their last semester of coursework are allowed to take less than a full course of study, but they are required to take at least 1 credit hour. If only 1 class is required for graduation, it cannot be an online class. If their last semester is summer, they must still be registered in at least 1 credit hour.

Students who choose this option and do not graduate will be terminated at the end of the semester for failing to enroll in a full course of study. Therefore students are advised to choose this option only after careful consultation with their academic advisor and an immigration advisor.

Illness or Medical Condition

Students must get written permission from a medical doctor stating their medical condition is severe enough that they cannot enroll in a full course of study. The nature of the illness does not have to be revealed, however the Office of International Student Services has to approve this request before a student can drop their classes. This reason cannot be used more than an aggregate of 12 months during the program study.

Academic Difficulty

In rare circumstances a student facing exceptional academic difficulty might be allowed to drop below the required number of credit hours; however, this is allowed only during the first semester of study, and it must be approved by the Office of International Student Services. Students who are approved for this request must be registered in at least 6 credit hours throughout the semester (including summer if required to be registered in the summer).

REMEMBER

Students are responsible for maintaining their own immigration status at all times.

Please remember as you review the information on this page:

  • This information is susceptible to change.
  • This information is not an exhaustive list pertaining to enrollment requirements.
  • For additional information regarding enrollment requirements, students can visit: www.ice.gov, www.uscis.gov, or speak with the international programs office. 

Students are responsible at all times for properly informing the DSO of their immigration status and academic status (as pertaining to immigration matters).

Enrollment & Maintaining Status
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Contact International Admissions

international@AState.edu

Phone: 870-972-2329

Postal Address:
International Admissions
P.O. Box 2230
State University, AR  72467

Shipping Address:
International Admissions
102 North Caraway Rd
Jonesboro, AR  72401

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