Nondegree Students

J-1 nondegree students work with the international academic advising team rather than advisors in academic colleges and departments. After admission, students should request an advising appointment. Students should provide transcripts, English proficiency documentation, and a list of desired Missouri State courses, especially if the courses have prerequisites.

Students can search for courses using the Missouri State Class Schedule Search. When preparing a course list, students should confirm that class meeting times do not conflict, the course is offered on the Springfield campus, seats are available, and they have completed any required prerequisites at their home university. Sponsored students must also have prior approval from their sponsor.

Class Schedule Search

J-1 nondegree students are required to maintain full-time student status. At Missouri State, full-time status is 12 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. J-1 nondegree students are permitted to take up to 15 credit hours upon request. Students should not drop below full-time enrollment without prior approval from International Partnerships.

Federal regulations limit how many online credits J-1 students may count toward full-time enrollment. J-1 nondegree students may count only one online course, up to three credit hours, toward the full-time enrollment requirement each semester.

J-1 nondegree students may not enroll in:

• Graduate-level courses, numbered 500 and above.
• Courses offered through the Cooperative Engineering Program.
• Courses for which they have not met prerequisites or received an approved override.

Students needing engineering courses to transfer back to their home university should consult with their advisor about alternative options.

A prerequisite is a course that must be completed before enrolling in another course, often a more advanced course. For example, American Democracy and Citizenship (PLS 101) is a prerequisite for Introduction to American Public Policy (PLS 102).

Prerequisite overrides can only be issued by academic departments. If the academic department determines that a student’s previous coursework satisfies the requirement, the department may issue an override that allows the student to enroll in the course. Students who need a prerequisite override should first meet with their academic advisor.

 

J-1 nondegree students are not permitted to add or drop courses on their own. To help ensure that students remain in compliance with J-1 visa regulations, all enrollment changes should be processed through the student advisor.

Students who need an official transcript for their own records or to provide to their home university should submit a transcript request. Transcripts can be pre-ordered. Students may request and pay for e-transcripts while still attending Missouri State. The transcript will be emailed after the end of the semester when final grades are posted.

Transcript request

J-1 nondegree students may work on campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during official Missouri State holidays and breaks. On-campus employment does not need to be related to the student’s field of study.

Before beginning on-campus employment, students must obtain a job-offer letter from the on-campus employer and submit it to International Partnerships. Employment must be authorized by International Partnerships before the start date listed in the job-offer letter.

Off-campus employment is available only in very limited circumstances and requires advance authorization from International Partnerships. Students who believe they may qualify for off-campus employment due to serious, urgent, and unforeseen economic circumstances should first make an appointment with their advisor.

Yes. Academic Training is a type of J-1 work authorization that allows eligible students to participate in practical training related to their field of study. Academic Training may be paid or unpaid, but it must be directly connected to the student’s academic program and must be approved in advance by International Partnerships.

Students who need a background check and a Social Security number to complete their training will need a job-offer letter from the employer, a letter from an academic dean or supervisor explaining how the training benefits the student’s studies, and approval from International Partnerships before the training begins.

Students who have authorized employment may be eligible to apply for a Social Security number. For more information, refer to the Social Security number guide.

Your Guide to Getting a Social Security Number

 

Yes, but students must have a valid travel signature on their DS-2019 in order to re-enter the United States in J-1 status. Students should contact their advisor before traveling to request a travel signature and confirm their documents are valid for re-entry.