Resources and Policies
University Compliance Requirements
USC must comply with federal laws, U.S. Department of State regulations and U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulations related to nonimmigrant visa holders engaged in academic activities — most often F-1 and J-1 visa holders. This includes guidelines for recruitment, admission, enrollment and maintaining lawful nonimmigrant status before, during and after completion of academic objectives.
USC’s International Student and Scholar Policy
USC values international students’ and scholars’ contributions to the furtherance of the university’s mission. To fulfill its responsibilities, USC’s central administration and the schools cooperate and deploy support services to empower all members of our community to achieve their academic, personal and professional goals.
USC Authorization to Issue Form I-20
USC is approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to issue Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status to admitted and USC certified international students. Form I-20 is used to apply for the F-1 student visa at U.S. embassies/consulates abroad to study in an approved degree program at USC.
The Form I-17 and What It Means For Departments
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The Form I-17 is the official SEVP certification record and petition maintained with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that authorizes USC to issue the Form I-20 and enroll F-1 nonimmigrant students. This petition also identifies the institution’s approved locations, programs and Designated School Officials (DSOs).
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USC may issue Form I-20s only for academic programs that are approved and listed on its Form I-17. Any changes to an existing program — such as program length, required units for degree completion or other material modifications — or the addition of a new academic program must be reviewed and approved through an update to the Form I-17 before Form I-20s can be issued for that program. Failure to comply with SEVP regulations may jeopardize the university’s SEVP certification.
If your department is developing a new academic program that is not currently listed on USC’s Form I-17, it must submit a Program of Study Statement to OIS.
Because the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) adjudication of Form I-17 updates for new academic programs may take 12 to 24 months, departments are strongly encouraged to consult with OIS as early as possible, preferably before submitting curriculum proposals that may affect international students. Early coordination helps ensure compliance with SEVP requirements and minimizes delays in obtaining approval to issue Form I-20s for students admitted to new or revised academic programs.
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Bachelor’s Degrees
Course of Study Time Necessary to Complete Number of Units Bachelor’s Freshman Degrees (BA, BS, BFA, BM, BARCH) 4-5 years 128-160 units Bachelor’s Transfer Second Year (BA, BS, BFA, BM, BARCH) 3-4 years 32-160 units Bachelor’s Transfer Third Year (BA, BS, BFA, BM, BARCH) 2-3 years 64-160 units Bachelor’s Certificate 1 year 16 units Master’s Degrees and Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
Course of Study Time Necessary to Complete Number of Units Master’s Degrees (MA, MS, MAcc, MArch, MAT, MBA, MCL, MEd, MFA, MHA, MLArch/MLA, MM, MMFT, MP, MPA, MPH, MPP, MRED, MSPH, MSW, LLM) 1-3 years 21-93 units Other Master’s Degrees (EMUP, ENGR, MAARS, MARP, MASM, MBS, MBT, MCG, MCM, MDR, MHC, MIPM, MITLE, ML, MMDS, MMST, MNLM, MPAP, MPD, MPDP, MSLW, MVA) 1-3 years 21-93 units Post-Baccalaureate Certificate 1-4 years 12-183 units Doctoral Degrees
Course of Study Time Necessary to Complete Number of Units Doctoral Degrees (DDS, DMA, DSW, EdD, JD, MD, PhD) 2-5 years 42-214 units Other Doctoral Degrees (DNA, DPPD, DRSC, DPT, OTD, PharmD) 1.5-5 years 60-136 units