Resources for Faculty and Staff
Course Registration Requirements for F-1 and J-1 Students:
Students on F-1 or J-1 visa status must be registered in a full-time course load during the Fall and Spring semesters.
In a student's final semester, if fewer than full-time credits are needed to complete their degree, they can submit a Less than Full-time request. The student’s academic advisor will receive a recommendation request via email to confirm that the student is in their final semester and the number of credits needed to complete their program.
F-1 students must maintain academic progress, including attending all registered classes.
Travel:
If a student needs to travel internationally during the academic semester, they will need to request written permission from their professors. Please copy ISS@fdu.edu on your response to the student. The student is responsible for completing any coursework missed during this time.
On-Campus Employment:
International students can accept on-campus employment with permission from ISS. Students can work up to 20 hours per week on-campus during the semester. We advise students to apply for their Social Security Number prior to beginning any work or training. They will need an offer letter that is written on university letterhead, containing their start date, job title, pay rate, and number of hours they will be working per week. The letter must be signed and dated by their supervisor. Then, the student will need to submit their offer letter to International Student Services for review. We will provide the student with a second letter to bring to the Social Security Administration to complete their application. At their appointment, they can request a receipt of application and report to work while awaiting their social security card.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT):
All international students must obtain authorization from the Office of International Student Services to participate in any paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education, or other practical training placement. Students must complete the CPT request packet, available on the International Student Portal. Submissions should be made well in advance of the internship start date to allow time for processing. They are not permitted to begin their internship or practical training until they receive their new I-20 with the CPT endorsement.
A completed CPT packet consists of the following:
Please email ISS@fdu.edu with any questions regarding internships or off-campus opportunities for international students.
Optional Practical Training (OPT):
OPT is an opportunity for students on F-1 visa status to gain hands-on experience in their field of study after graduation. The window to apply is 90 days before the last day of their program or up to 60 days after the last day of their program (must receive receipt notice before the 60th day following their program). To request for an OPT recommended I-20, the student will need to enter their academic advisor’s contact information. Their academic advisor will need to electronically confirm that they are in their final semester and will be completing their program. Students must receive approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before beginning any work or training for a position.
Students on F-1 or J-1 visa status must be registered in a full-time course load during the Fall and Spring semesters.
- Full-time for Undergraduate students is 12 credits, with a minimum of 9 credits being fully in-person. The remaining 3 credits can be a hybrid/online course.
- Full-time for Graduate students is 9 credits, with a minimum of 6 credits being fully in-person. The remaining 3 credits can be a hybrid/online course.
In a student's final semester, if fewer than full-time credits are needed to complete their degree, they can submit a Less than Full-time request. The student’s academic advisor will receive a recommendation request via email to confirm that the student is in their final semester and the number of credits needed to complete their program.
F-1 students must maintain academic progress, including attending all registered classes.
Travel:
If a student needs to travel internationally during the academic semester, they will need to request written permission from their professors. Please copy ISS@fdu.edu on your response to the student. The student is responsible for completing any coursework missed during this time.
On-Campus Employment:
International students can accept on-campus employment with permission from ISS. Students can work up to 20 hours per week on-campus during the semester. We advise students to apply for their Social Security Number prior to beginning any work or training. They will need an offer letter that is written on university letterhead, containing their start date, job title, pay rate, and number of hours they will be working per week. The letter must be signed and dated by their supervisor. Then, the student will need to submit their offer letter to International Student Services for review. We will provide the student with a second letter to bring to the Social Security Administration to complete their application. At their appointment, they can request a receipt of application and report to work while awaiting their social security card.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT):
All international students must obtain authorization from the Office of International Student Services to participate in any paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education, or other practical training placement. Students must complete the CPT request packet, available on the International Student Portal. Submissions should be made well in advance of the internship start date to allow time for processing. They are not permitted to begin their internship or practical training until they receive their new I-20 with the CPT endorsement.
A completed CPT packet consists of the following:
-
- Employment Offer Letter: Please see CPT packet for sample letter.
- Career Development Internship for Academic Credit Acknowledgement Form: Signed by the CPT Employer and Career Development Office, confirming that the internship is for academic credit.
- Faculty Mentor Recommendation Form: A recommendation from a faculty mentor stating how the internship aligns with the student's field of study. Faculty mentors should hold in-person meetings with the student to discuss the internship's relevance, progress, and alignment with academic objectives.
- Experiential Learning Contract, Course Syllabus, Practicum Syllabus or Independent Study Proposal: Outlining the goals and expectations of the practical experience.
- Proof of Course Registration: Students must be registered for their internship course in order to receive CPT authorization.
Please email ISS@fdu.edu with any questions regarding internships or off-campus opportunities for international students.
Optional Practical Training (OPT):
OPT is an opportunity for students on F-1 visa status to gain hands-on experience in their field of study after graduation. The window to apply is 90 days before the last day of their program or up to 60 days after the last day of their program (must receive receipt notice before the 60th day following their program). To request for an OPT recommended I-20, the student will need to enter their academic advisor’s contact information. Their academic advisor will need to electronically confirm that they are in their final semester and will be completing their program. Students must receive approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before beginning any work or training for a position.