Advising for International Ph.D. Students
Courseload Requirements for F-1 & J-1 Visa Holders
F-1 and J-1 student visa holders have specific immigration requirements in connection with their courseload as these are statuses specifically for education in the U.S. There are many visa statuses represented at ODU but the majority of our international students hold either of these two statuses. If they have a visa status other than F-1 or J-1, the below information does not apply; they should be considered to be like your other advisees would be with regard to courseload, etc.
Minimum Required Courseload for Full-Time University Students: 9 credits
Minimum Required Courseload for Bridge Students: 3 credits (Maximum: 3 credits)
Acceptable Reasons for Reduced Courseload
|
Reason |
Minimum Allowable Credits |
Student Action |
Advisor Action |
| Adjustment to U.S. academic system (first semester only) |
6-8 credits |
Submit Reduced Courseload Request Form (RCL) to ISSS |
None |
| Medical issue |
0-8 credits |
Submit RCL and documentation from physician to ISSS |
None |
| Advisor error (e.g. registered student for class and student didn't have pre-requisites) |
6-8 credits |
Submit RCL to advisor and then to ISSS |
Sign RCL and attach letter of explanation |
| All coursework completed, dissertation only remaining |
1-8 credits |
Submit RCL to ISSS |
Sign RCL |
| Graduate Assistantship |
1-8 credits |
Submit RCL to advisor and then to ISSS |
Sign RCL |
| Final semester of program (a class taken for audit does not meet Immigration's enrollment requirements.) |
1-8 credits |
Submit RCL to advisor and then to ISSS |
Sign RCL |
UNacceptable Reasons for Reduced Courseload
| completing work for an incomplete from a previous semester |
fear of failing a class or lowering of GPA |
| insufficient funds |
no classes available that the student wants to take |
Summer Semester:
- Students who are continuing in a program from spring into fall are not required to register for the summer. This is also true for F-1 or J-1 students transferring from another school.
- If a student is new to the U.S. and is starting a program in the summer, s/he must be enrolled in at least six (6) credits.
When Students Request Your SIgnature on Their Paperwork
