International Students

The Spring 2025 course schedule is available and enrollment for visiting students will begin early November. We encourage you to submit your online course enrollment request form as soon as possible after the course schedule is posted.

When reviewing the course schedule, pay close attention to the pre-requisites listed in the course description. Pre-requisites will determine your eligibility for the course.

Assistance with course enrollment

The International Programs office will assist you with enrolling in your classes prior to your arrival on campus. You will receive an email with the course enrollment form to request your preferred courses. Enrollment is a first-come-first-serve bases. Classes fill up quickly so include alternate courses in case your first choice is not available. You will be notified of your schedule once you have been enrolled. 

J-1 students, be sure to have your home university advisor or coordinator approve your course enrollment form after submission. 

Catalog vs. current course schedule

You will need to check the current course schedule for your semester to make sure the classes you intent to take are available. Do not use the course catalog to choose your courses. 

Course load

• Students usually take between 12-16 units (3-5 courses) per semester
• For each unit of class time, you should plan to spend at least 2-3 hours per week studying outside of class
• F-1 and J-1 visa students are required to register for a minimum of 12 units to maintain immigration status
• Tuition is a flat rate for 12-17 units

Class level

• Courses numbered 100-299 are considered “lower division” (for 1st and 2nd year students) and are usually introductory in nature and have few prerequisites
• Courses numbered 300-499 are considered “upper division” (for 3rd and 4th year students) and generally have prerequisites.
• Courses numbered 500-699 are considered graduate-level courses

Online and hybrid courses

F-1 and J-1 students can enroll in one online class that may count towards the minimum credit amount. According to U.S regulations, an online class is one that "does not require the student's physical attendance for classes, examination or other purposes integral to completion of the class." Therefore any course that has some sort of physical attendance requirement, such as for a lecture, exam, or faculty meeting is not considered fully online for visa status purposes. Hybrid classes that are most likely online but have a physical presence requirement are not counted toward the limit for online courses.