Degree Completion

According to regulations, a student has completed their degree when they have satisfied all academic program requirements. This means that your I-20 must end on the final day of the semester you are enrolled in your last required courses, regardless of the semester of your graduation.

No, you may not request to take additional courses in a new semester once your required coursework has been completed, and you may not knowingly postpone the completion of your degree requirements (including the submission of the thesis/dissertation) for any perceived immigration or employment benefit.

VIS will automatically shorten your I-20 to the end date of the term in which you complete all degree requirements. For Ph.D. or master’s thesis students, this will be the term in which the final thesis/dissertation is submitted, unless requested otherwise.

If you will be completing your degree in the fall or spring semester and do not need to be registered full-time to complete degree requirements, you must submit a Reduced Course Load Request in accessVIS by the end of the add/drop period.

F-1 students are permitted to work on campus up to the last day of their final enrolled term. It is your responsibility to inform your employer that you can no longer work on campus after this date.

If you are currently employed on campus and are issued a new I-20 with an adjusted end date, VIS recommends that you give a copy of the I-20 to your payroll coordinator so that they are aware of the end of your on-campus work eligibility.

F-1 students may be eligible to apply for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training that will allow them to work after the last day of their final enrolled term.

F-1 students who are interested in beginning off-campus employment before the last day of their final enrolled term may wish to participate in Curricular Practical Training or Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training.

Students who are applying to a new academic program at the same or different degree level must request an updated I-20 through accessVIS prior to the start of the semester.

Students changing their degree level (i.e. bachelors to master's or master's to Ph.D,) must complete the 'Change of Degree Level' eForm and provide sufficient proof of funding for their new academic level.

Students who wish to pursue a degree at another institution should follow the Transfer-Out procedures. Keep in mind that SBU must transfer your SEVIS record to your new school no later than 60 days after the completion of your program.