To maintain legal immigration status, all F-1 international students must enroll full-time each fall and spring semester:
Undergraduate (BFA) Full-Time Enrollment For F-1 Students: 12 credits or more, of which 9 credits or more are in person or hybrid (see definitions & examples below)
Required during the Fall and Spring semesters (summer/winter terms are not required)
Graduate Full-Time Enrollment For F-1 students: 9 credits or more, of which 6 credits or more are in person or hybrid (see definitions & examples below)
Required during the Fall and Spring semesters (summer/winter terms are not required)
*Please be aware of this policy as you register for your courses. These requirements must be met in order for F-1 students to maintain their legal status and remain eligible for benefits such as CPT, OPT and travel signatures.
Student Responsibilities:
- During semester registration - Keep track of remote/in-person classes
- During Add/Drop - Keep track of remote/in-person classes if you decide to make changes to your schedule
- Required Major Courses - When enrolling make sure you enroll in the required minimum of in-person credits
- Final semester of study Reduced Course Load - You must enroll in at least 1 in person or hybrid course if you are taking a reduced course load during your final semester. If only one course is needed to complete your program, that course must be a hybrid or in person course. Contact your International Student Advisor to be approved for a Reduced Course Load.
- Do not withdraw from any of the required in-person or hybrid courses that count towards the minimum credits
MassArt Definitions:
- Online Course: A course that is offered through technology and does not require the student's physical attendance for classes, examinations or other purposes integral to completion of the class
- In-Person Course: A course that requires your regular physical presence on campus.
- Hybrid Course: A hybrid course includes some required physical attendance during the semester. For the purposes of F-1 International Student regulations, it is not considered an online course & does not count toward the online credit limit.
How does this work in the real world?
Undergraduate Example 1: Maintaining Full-time Enrollment
An undergraduate international student is taking 15 credits in the Fall semester. 9 are in-person or hybrid courses, and 6 are online.This student is maintaining their F-1 student status because they meet the full-time minimum requirement of 12 credits, with 9 in-person or hybrid, plus 3 on-line credits. The additional online course is neither required nor prohibited.
Undergraduate Example 2: NOT Maintaining Full-time Enrollment
An undergraduate international student is taking 12 credits in the Fall semester. 6 are in-person or hybrid courses and 6 are online. Since a full-time course load is required in the Fall semester and only 1 online course (3 credits) counts toward the full-time course load, this student is NOT maintaining their F-1 Student status. A minimum of 9 credits in person must be counted toward the 12-credit requirement (9 credits in person and 3 credits online).
Graduate Example 1: Maintaining Full-time Enrollment
A graduate international student is taking 12 credits in the Fall semester. 6 are in-person or hybrid courses and 6 are online. This student is maintaining their F-1 student status because they meet the full-time minimum requirement of 9 credits (6 in-person or hybrid, plus 3 on-line credits). The additional online course is neither required nor prohibited.
Graduate Example 2: NOT Maintaining Full-time Enrollment
A graduate international student is taking 9 credits in the Fall semester. 3 are in-person or hybrid courses and 6 are online. Since a full-time course load is required in the Fall semester and only 1 online course (3 credits) counts toward the full-time course load, this student is NOT maintaining their F-1 Student status. A total of 6 credits in person must be counted toward the 9-credit requirement (6 credits in person and 3 credits online).