International Student Guidelines

International Business Registration and Immigration Hold

All international students are required to physically attend International Business Registration prior to registering for classes. This is a separate registration process for international students only. Before business registration is complete, all international students will be blocked from registering for classes. During business registration, International Student and Scholars Services (ISSS) will review each student’s immigration documents, confirm to the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) that the student has arrived on campus, and then release the hold on the student’s registration.

Course Audit Policies

International students are not permitted to audit courses UNLESS they are in addition to an already established full-time course load. For example, if an undergraduate student has 8 credit hours and wishes to audit a course worth 4 credits, they are not permitted to do so. However, if they already have 12 credit hours and would like to audit an additional course, it is permitted.

Full-Time Student Status Regulations

International students may not drop below a full course load without prior authorization from ISSS. Full-time status means 18 credits per semester for English Language Institute (ELI) students, 12 credits for undergraduate students, and 9 credits for graduate students.

If you are thinking about dropping a class or reducing your credits, please review the “Reduced Course Load” page first.

PLEASE REMEMBER: Only Designated School Officials and Responsible Officers (DSO/RO can authorize a reduced credit load for international students! Academic Advisors DO NOT have this authority.

Program Extension Policy

Any international student who is unable to complete a full course of study in a timely manner can apply for a program extension. This process can only be done through ISSS, and the student MUST apply 45 days before the completion date on their Form I-20 or DS-2019. If you are aware of a need to apply for a program extension, we ask you to set up an appointment at Contact immediately.

Course Grade Policy

As long as an international student is registered, attending all classes, and meeting Gallaudet University’s academic standards, the student is considered maintaining status and making acceptable progress. A student who is placed on academic suspension is considered no longer enrolled in full-time study or pursuing an educational objective, and therefore not maintaining status.

A student who has been placed on academic warning or suspension and who is not able to complete their program by the expected completion date may not be eligible for an extension of stay unless there is a compelling academic or medical reason to support an extension request.

Attendance Policy

In order to maintain legal status, an international student is responsible for attending the classes in which they are officially enrolled. All international students must comply with the University’s class class attendance policy.

• Undergraduate Class Attendance Policy.  
• Graduate Attendance Policy

A student who stops attending classes for two weeks or more without compelling reasons must be reported immediately to the Office of International Affairs (OIA). U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services holds the University responsible for reporting any international student in breach of the attendance policy, which includes a prolonged absence from classes (mentioned above). Before making a report, OIA will first contact the student to ascertain the circumstances. It is the student’s responsibility to check his or her official University email.