International students 必须 be enrolled in and maintain a full-time course load of at least 12 credit hours each semester. Of those 12 credit hours, nine 必须 be taken in the face-to-face, blended or hybrid format.

An international student who drops below full time could lose their F-1 status by dropping below the full-time status requirement. COA offers tutoring to all students at no cost. If you’re enrolled in a class and find you’re having difficulty, go to the tutoring lab (ask for directions to the lab at the Information Desk at the campus you attend). 我们也提供 导师, which is available 24 hours a day. Never drop below full time without first consulting the Designated School Official (DSO) on your campus.

根据联邦法规, there are three circumstances where an F-1 student can be authorized to take less than a full-time course load:

• 学术困难
• 医疗条件
• Completion of a course of study

Students 必须 meet with their PDSO/DSO to discuss their situation and explore their options 之前 降到全职以下. If it becomes necessary to drop below a full course load, a student 必须 have prior approval from a DSO and 必须 complete a Reduced Course Load approval form prior to dropping below 12 credit hours.

International students are allowed to take 3 credit hours of online course work toward full-time enrollment each semester. COA does offer hybrid, blended, Webx and Web Based Conferencing (WBC) classes. Hybrid and Blended classes are considered to be face-to-face classes since weekly class attendance in a classroom is required. Webx and WBC classes are considered to be internet classes since they don’t require attendance on campus and can be taken at home on your computer at a specific day and time. You 必须 take and maintain at least 12 hours each semester, nine of these hours 必须 be face-to-face, 混合课程. International students can take more than three hours of online courses but 必须 maintain nine hours of face-to-face, 混合类或混合类. Any additional online courses will be above and beyond the required 12 credit hours

International students are given two years to obtain an associate degree. If there are extenuating circumstances, a student’s I-20 can be extended by one year, making a total of three years. Students 必须 request an I-20 extension by completing the I-20延期申请表.

Students 必须 attend at least 90 percent of each class. If a student misses more than 10 percent of a class, the instructor can dropped or withdraw the student from the class. Students in internet classes can also be withdrawn for failure to complete assignments or tests. Please speak with a DSO 之前 dropping or withdrawing from a class.

International students are required to attend at least one check-in meeting each semester. Students 必须 attend a check in meeting to be registered in SEVIS for the semester. This lets SEVIS know that you’re registered for classes as expected and on track to obtain your degree at COA in a timely manner.

I-20s are generally provided for two years. 在某些情况下, students can get an extension to their I-20 thus granting them additional time to complete their degree. COA policy states international students 必须 complete their program within three years/six semesters. 为了有资格 I-20国际扩展, students 必须 have at least a 2.平均成绩0分, be making progress toward completing their degree and 必须 be able to graduate within the allotted time. Students should complete the extension form and request a meeting with a DSO.