On April 6, Provost Ramchand announced that MU will continue remote instruction for summer 2020. This has different implications for international students based on their academic and admissions status at MU.

Current F-1/J-1 international students

Most international undergraduate or graduate students currently enrolled at MU and making normal academic progress are not required to enroll in summer courses to maintain their immigration status. Exceptions that require enrollment in at least one credit hour for summer include students who are in continuous doctoral enrollment and students planning to graduate in summer 2020.

Initial international students

Initial international students are undergraduate or graduate students admitted to begin their program of study at MU for the summer 2020 session who currently reside outside of the United States. The Student and Exchange Visitor Program has advised that admission for these students should be deferred to a future term.

However, if an initial international student has already obtained a valid student visa and is able to enter the U.S. while COVID-19 operations (i.e., remote instruction) continue, the student can become active in SEVIS and should be allowed to enroll full-time.

Transfer international students

Transfer international students are currently studying at another U.S. school — college/university, intensive English program, high school — and have been admitted to begin their program of study at MU for the summer 2020 session. These students can utilize the existing school transfer process to transfer their SEVIS record to MU. They may enroll in online coursework for the summer session under the temporary regulatory provisions for COVID-19 operations. Students should be advised to contact an ISSS adviser and work closely with International Admissions or Graduate Admissions.

International students on OPT

International students currently participating in Optional Practical Training who have been admitted to begin their program of study at MU for the summer 2020 session should have no impact as long as they are fully admitted and have contacted an ISSS adviser. Their status will be updated in SEVIS, and they should enroll in MU online courses and update their current address to maintain their immigration status.

See guidance for admitted international graduate students for fall 2020.