Enrollment Requirements for International Students

The Department of Homeland Security and Department of State require international students to pursue a full course of study every semester until their degree program is completed, and make normal progress toward the completion of your course of study.

  • Full course of study for undergraduates is 12 credit hours per Fall and Spring semesters. Enrollment during the summer session is not required unless it is the student's initial semester.
  • Full course of study for graduate students is 9 hours per Fall and Spring semesters. Enrollment during the summer session for three hours is required for all students who have a GTA/GRA. Other conditions may apply; please contact the Office of Graduate Education to confirm your summer semester enrollment requirement.
  • Initial students during Summer enrollment have the following requirements: for undergraduates it is 6 credit hours, and for graduate students it is 3 credit hours. 3 credit hours must be in-person; all other courses may be online instruction during the Summer session.

8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G) For F-1 students enrolled in classes for credit or classroom hours, no more than the equivalent of one class or three credits per session, term, semester, trimester, or quarter may be counted toward the full course of study requirement if the class is taken online or through distance education and does not require the student's physical attendance for classes, examinations, or other purposes integral to completion of the class. An online or distance education course is one that is offered principally through the use of television, audio, or computer transmission. If the F-1 student's course of study is in a language study program, no online or distance education classes may be counted toward a full course of study requirement.

An additional DHS policy states that if the F-1 student needs only one course to finish the program of study, it cannot be taken through online or distance education. USCIS Policy Manual 2 USCIS-PM F.3.B.1 – Online and Distance Education Courses, F-1 Students .

Exceptions to Full-time Enrollment for International Students

This Policy Memorandum establishes enrollment requirements for master’s and doctoral students. It allows students to remain compliant while minimizing educational costs. The enrollment requirements described below do not supersede the minimum enrollment requirements of other offices or agencies. You can read the full policy here .

  • The primary reasons a student may request a reduced course load include: (1) diagnosis of an illness or medical condition, (2) improper course level placement, (3) initial difficulty with reading requirements, (4) initial difficulty with the English language, (5) being a part-time commuter student, (6) completing the course of study in the current term, or (7) unfamiliarity with American teaching methods.
  • Approval for a reduced course load requires affirmation from the student’s academic advisor.
  • Students may also receive full-time enrollment exceptions if participating in full-time CPT, concurrent enrollment, or if approved under Policy Memo II-20 by the Office of Graduate Education.
  • Approval for concurrent enrollment requires that credit hours or courses taken at another school be transferable to Missouri S&T upon completion and apply to the student’s degree program as listed on the Form I-20.
  • Full-time enrollment requirements may be met by combining credit hours taken at Missouri S&T with those taken concurrently at another institution.
  • Method of instruction requirements apply to the combined number of courses taken at Missouri S&T and another school.
  • Proof of enrollment at another school is required before concurrent credit hours can be counted. The method of course instruction will also be evaluated. If requirements are not met, the student’s SEVIS record will not be registered for the semester.
  • Approved students will receive a Concurrent Enrollment Approval Letter. This letter may be requested by the other institution. Please allow at least 10 business days for processing.
  • The Missouri S&T Course Equivalency Database can be accessed through: Joe’SS > Self Service > Transfer Credit > Evaluate Transfer Credit.
  • CPT approval is subject to the discretion of the international advisor. The approver listed on the request form should be the academic advisor, and their name and contact information must be provided.
  • All requirements listed on the request form must be met.
  • Missing information will result in a notification from the advisor.
  • Requests should be submitted well in advance of the CPT start date.
  • All offer letter requirements must be explicitly stated on the offer letter in order for CPT to be approved.
  • See more information here: Curricular Practical Training (CPT).