Faculty & Staff: To-Know's

If a student wishes to withdraw from a class, they should make an appointment with the CGE, to avoid making mistakes that might endanger his/ her visa status. International students must be enrolled in a full-time:

•  minimum of 12 for undergraduates

• minimum of 8 for graduates

If a student decides to change their major, they will first want to confirm with their academic advisor to submit the change. After, the student will want to complete the "Major Change SEVIS Update Form."

If a student desires to drop below full-time, referred to as a Reduced Course Load, there are a limited number of reasons this could be legally allowed. These include the following: 

• Student needs less than a full course load to complete their program during their last semester.

  • If the students only needs one course to finish their program of study, it cannot be taken through online/distance education as there must be a physical presence classroom requirement for the course 

• Student is experiencing academic difficulties: 

  • Initial academic difficulties during their first year 

    1. • Initial difficulty with the English language 

       • Reading requirements

       • Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods

  • Academic difficulties due to an improper course level placement

  • Students can get a reduced course load for academic reasons for a total of 1 semester during their program.

  • The student will still need to be enrolled at least half-time (at least 6 credit hours for undergraduate students).

• Medical issues prevents student from studying full time. The student can get a reduced course load for medical reasons for a total of 12 months during their academic program.

  • 1. REQUIRED: A letter or other documentation from a U.S.: 

       • Licensed medical doctor (includes psychiatrist)

       • Doctor of osteopathy

       • Licensed psychologist

       • Clinical psychologist 

    2. Documentation must indicate:

       • Specific level of coursework the student is able are to carry (if any) during the current term

       • This information will be held in protected record but your academic advisor will be able to see it, so please don't include any specifics of your medical condition or treatment.

*IMPORTANT: Getting a reduced course load for academic reasons has no effect on a student's ability to get a reduced course load for medical reasons, and vice versa. For example, a student can have a reduced course load for academic reasons during their first semester, and then get a reduced course load later on for medical reasons.*

International students on F-1 visas have 3 avenues of employment: 

1. On-campus Work:  these are university positions or positions that provide direct services to students (i.e. the book store, the registrar's office). 

On-campus employment is limited to:

•  20 hours a week (fall and spring semesters) 

• 40 hours a week (Vacation periods) 

For more information about available job positions on-campus, please visit the Simmons Student Employment page. 

2. Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

• Be in valid F-1 immigration status for at least two full-time semesters (1 academic year). 

  • • Exceptions to 1 Academic Year Requirement (Rare): 

    • Graduate students who have internship as a degree requirement for all students which must occur prior to completion of 1 academic year. 

    • Students who have changed from some other US visa status to F-1 student status and have been continually enrolled full-time for an academic year during the change of status period.

  • Secure an academically appropriate internship/job offer either required for your degree program AND/OR for credit towards your degree program.

    • NOTE: Positions must be appropriate to the student's level of study and major field of study. Retail sales, food service, and other unskilled positions will be denied.

  • Obtain CPT authorization BEFORE beginning employment; authorization cannot be back-dated.

  • The student's supervisor for the internship cannot be an F-1 or J-1 student.

3. Optional Practical Training (OPT) 

In order to be eligible, an F-1 student must: 

• Be a full-time F-1 status for at least one academic year. 

• Be seeking employment in the major field of study listed on their current Simmons I-20

• Be completing their program of study at Simmons 

• Be physically present in the U.S. at the time of the application to USCIS

• NOT have used more than 1 year of full-time CPT during their current degree level (Part-time not included)

If a student requires to travel outside of the U.S., during the academic year or over the break, they will need to have an update Travel Signature from the school designated DSO or PDSO. Students can get the signature by coming in-person to the CGE or get it signed virtually. 

*NOTE: The signatures are valid for 12-months.*

F-1 students are only allowed to take 1 online course per semester, as long as they are enrolled in a full-course load. 

If a student is in their last semester, and needs less than full-time course load to graduate, they cannot take only an online course. The student must be enrolled in an in-person course in addition to the online course. 

If a student needs to extend their program for academic reasons (longer dissertation research, a transfer who lost credits coming to Simmons, etc) they will need to request a Program Extension to change their Program Completion Date on their I-20.  The CGE requires the student's academic advisor to complete this form: Program Extension Request. 

This form is provided to facilitate the communication of certain information required by regulations of the USCIS.  Its completion is needed for a student in F-1 status to be granted more time to complete their studies.  They have not completed the program within the typical time limit and have requested more time.  In order to help this student extend the program, we request that you complete this form in full in order for the Center for Global Education to issue an extension in SEVIS to keep the student in F-1 status.