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The ��ƷSM����ӰƬ offers several instruction modes for courses. You can learn more about the different instruction modes on this Office of the Registrar webpage. The different instruction modes offer students helpful flexibility when it comes to creating a schedule that works well for them. 

For international students who hold F-1 or J-1 student visa status, keep in mind the legal requirement for on-campus presence when choosing which instruction mode works best for your schedule. On-campus presence refers to the legal requirement for international students in the United States in F-1 or J-1 status to enroll in courses that “require the student's physical attendance for classes, examination or other purposes integral to completion of the class.” Students must register for a certain number of credit hours that are taught using an instruction mode that requires in-person attendance if they wish to remain in the U.S. in valid F-1 or J-1 status. 

While ISSS encourages students to take full advantage of the flexibility offered by the different modalities– such as the hybrid and online options, remember that the immigration regulations limit the number of online credits that count toward full-time enrollment. 

For both undergraduate and graduate students in F-1 and J-1 status, only 3 credits of online/remote/distance education courses can count towards the full-time enrollment requirement. For example, if you are an undergraduate student, you can take a 3-credit class online, but you must have at least 9 additional on-campus credits that are in-person. The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) clearly states on their webpage: “Online or distance learning received at a location other than the SEVP-certified school where the F-1 academic or professional student is enrolled is limited to three credits per session toward a full course of study in each academic term.”&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;

Some of the instruction modes at ��ƷSM����ӰƬ allow a great deal of flexibility in terms of in-person attendance, particularly the instruction mode titled, “Hybrid In Person and Online and/or Remote (HY)”&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;

• The Office of the Registrar explains that these courses are, “Taught using a combination of in-person learning (same meeting patterns for all enrolled students) with online and/or remote coursework.”  

If you are an international student in F-1 or J-1 status enrolled in a hybrid course to meet the regulatory on-campus presence requirement, then you must regularly attend the in-person component of the course. You should be able to document the attendance requirement and your fulfillment of that requirement.  If, during the semester, the in-person component is no longer required, or stops meeting due to lack of attendance, please inform ISSS right away. ISSS will work with you and the department to ensure that the course continues to meet in-person so that you can maintain your F-1 or J-1 status.

Also, if you sign up for a course that has the option of attending both in-person and remotely, be respectful of the instructor and other students and attend the course in-person regularly. Failure to attend the course in-person presents challenges to the instructor and to the students who signed up for an in-person course experience. It also jeopardizes your immigration status if you fail to meet the in-person attendance requirements.

Similarly, if you are enrolled in a course with in-person instruction mode, you must attend in person, even if the faculty member does not require attendance.