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International Student Enrollment Requirements

International students studying at Lindenwood University adhere to specific enrollment requirements in accordance with their F-1 visa status.

For international students enrolling in online courses:

8 CFR § 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G) For F­1 students enrolled in classes for credit or classroom hours, no more than the equivalent of one class or three credits per term may be counted toward the full course of study requirement if the class is taken on­line or through distance education and does not require the student's physical attendance for classes, examination or other purposes integral to completion of the class. An on­line or distance education course is a course that is offered principally through the use of television, audio, or computer transmission including open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, or satellite, audio conferencing, or computer conferencing.

  • One online course will count towards full-time status.
  • Lindenwood University policy states that undergraduate students cannot be enrolled in the same number of online as on-ground classes.

Undergraduate On-Ground and Online Course Combinations

Enrollment Status Number of Online & On-Ground Courses
Enrolled in 12 credit hours Three on-ground and one online
Enrolled in 15 credit hours Three on-ground and two online
Enrolled in 18 credit hours Four on-ground and two online, etc.

Graduate On-Ground and Online Course Combinations

Enrollment Status Number of Online & On-Ground Courses
Enrolled in six credit hours One on-ground and one online
Enrolled in nine credit hours Two on-ground and one online

For international students wanting to take an approved reduced course load:

Reduced Course Load (RCL) is when a student is authorized to take less than full-time course load. There are several reasons that RCL can be authorized for an international student:

1. Illness or medical reason.

2. Improper course level placement.

3. Initial difficulty with reading requirements.

4. Initial difficulty with the English language.

5. Unfamiliarity with the US teaching method.

6. To complete course of study in current term.

Each of the items listed have specific requirements in order to be authorized. Please read the requirements on the Study in the States – reduced course load website before selecting the reason.

RCL can be requested by submitting the Reduced Course Load form to the (P)DSO located in the Center for Diversity Inclusion (DCI) office prior to the second week of the term. If the student needs to have a RCL authorized in mid-term, the form should be submitted prior to completing the add/drop form. Reduced Course Load form can be found on the International Services Website or can be requested by emailing InternationalServices@lindenwood.edu.

For international students taking courses at different location:

  • International students are required to take the majority of their program courses on the St. Charles campus.
  • The required courses for the international student’s program cannot have more than 50 percent of the courses taught at an off-campus Learning Center.

For international students participating in Curricular Practical Training (CPT):

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is special work authorization for international students. It allows students to participate in internships or work off of campus as long as the student is enrolled in an internship course for that term. CPT is approved for students in their junior year of their program.

  • CPT is term based, meaning that it is only authorized for the term that the student is taking the internship course.
  • Students must have CPT added to their I-20 if they are receiving compensation or participating in a paid internship opportunity. If they are non-paid/volunteer internships then CPT does not need to be authorized on their I-20.
  • CPT will only be authorized for part-time while the term is in session.
  • Undergraduate/Graduate students:
  • During the fall and spring semesters, graduate and undergraduate students can only work part-time.
  • Graduate and undergraduate semester students can work full-time during the summer session.

CPT Procedures

  • Students are required to fill out all four sections of the CPT form.
  • If the student has an internship procedure/packet, it will need to be included with the CPT form.
  • The student can include a copy of the employer hire letter in lieu of the employer filling out the requested section of the CPT form.