On-line Courses for International Students

ONLINE COURSES

International Student: Online Course Guidelines

The use of online courses is a growing and integral part of most universities' academic curriculum. This is also true at Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU). Please be aware that the Department of Homeland Security requires F-1 students to maintain a full course of study that leads to a specific educational or professional objective. At Southwest Minnesota State University, a full course of study is defined as 12 credits each semester for undergraduate students and 18 credits per academic year for graduate students.

F-1 students who are taking classes that do not require him/her to be physically present on campus for an exam, class meeting or other purposes relating to the class can count only one online class (3 credits) per semester toward the full course of study requirement.

This means that if an undergraduate student is enrolled in 12 credits, only 3 of those credits may be online (3 - 3-credit courses [9 credits] in class + 1 - 3-credit course [3 credits] online = 12 credits). However, if the student is taking more than 12 credits, she/he may take additional credits online (9 credits in class + 3 credits online = 12 [full course of study requirement met]+ 6 additional credits online = 18 total credits). A student who takes 6 credits in class and 6 credits online would be in violation of the full course of study requirement, lose their F-1 status, and have to apply for reinstatement with the Department of Homeland Security.
Students in their last semester who only have one course left must take that course on campus. The key to this rule is “physical presence on campus,” which aligns with the regulations governing F-1 students. If you are in your last semester, please do not plan to take an online course and move away from Southwest Minnesota State University.

As always, if you have any questions, see Don Robertson at International Student Services.

Graduate Online Courses

Keys to Status:
You are in the United States on an F-1 Student Visa. Your sole purpose is to obtain a U.S. education as a full-time graduate student. As part of that education, you will have an opportunity to gain work experience, but under very strict conditions and only during a program-approved internship and/or after you have graduated. In addition to work restrictions, the following are 3 items are important considerations in maintaining your F-1 student status.

Full-time status:
As a graduate student, you must complete 18 credits each year.
There are also limits on the number of online courses you may take each semester. As an international student, you are required to adhere to the limitations set by SEVIS and USCIS on online courses. SMSU's MBA program is designed to meet these requirements.

You are allowed to take only 1 (one 3-credit online course each semester in meeting your 18-credit minimum. Because there are no on-campus courses offered in the summer, an F1 international student must take 9 credits in the Fall semester and 9 credits in the Spring semester. For each semester, the minimum you must enroll for is: 1 three-credit course online and 2 three-credit in-class courses. Once you meet these minimal requirements, you are eligible to take additional online courses. In other words, you must register for 2 in-class required courses for 4 semesters. (Year one: Fall, Spring; Year two: Fall and Spring). Summer sessions do not count toward your 18-minute requirement because they do not have on-campus courses.

Example Course Plan

Year One

Fall Semester

• MBA 607 (on campus)
• MBA 609 (on campus)
• Elective (online)

Spring Semester

• MBA 606 (on campus)
• MBA 660 (on campus)
• Elective (online)

Summer

Any additional courses are optional.

Year Two

Fall Semester

• MBA 681 (on campus)
• MBA 684 (on campus)
• Elective (online)

Spring Semester

• MBA 670 (on campus)
• MBA 685 (on campus)
• Elective (online)

Summer

Any additional courses are optional.

Congratulations, you have graduated!

It is important that you work closely with your academic advisor and Ms. Dahlager to register in a timely manner -- doing so ensures that you will be enrolled in the required and elective classes needed for full-time status.