If you have an F-1 visa, you  must earn a certain number of credit hours each long semester (Fall, Spring).  Summer classes are not required, unless it’s your first or last semester at UTEP.  
NOTE: A “W” (Withdrawal) indicates a student did not earn credit for a course, and so a class with a “W” grade does not count toward the minimum hours required.

Undergraduate students with a  full-time I-20 must complete 12 credit hours per long semester (any grade but “W” is acceptable).

Graduate students with a full-time I-20 must:

• complete 9 credit hours per semester OR 
• at least one thesis course (considered a full-time equivalent from the 2nd year of Master’s studies and beyond) OR 
• at least one dissertation course(considered a full-time equivalent from the 3rd year Doctoral studies and beyond)
• Alternative Teaching Certificate Program: this program is considered to be similar to a Master’s level of study; however, to achieve the certificate, a student must work as a teacher in an academic environment; students are considered to be taking a full course of study if they are taking 9 credit hours per term without any employment as a teacher OR a teaching position as full-time Curricular Practical Training plus continued academic progress (it is recommended to take 6 credit hours per term, but it is also accepted to earn 9 hours in the academic year – i.e. 3 credits in fall, 6 credits in spring).

F-3 Students  

International students admitted to the U.S. on a Border Commuter I-20 are allowed to study full or part time at UTEP. 

F-3 Students are subject to the following rules:

• Students MAY NOT live in the U.S.
• Students MAY NOT own a car with American plates.
• Students MAY NOT have an F-2 dependent
• Students MAY work on or off campus through Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Border Commuters must:

• RENEW THE I-20 every semester before the expiration date located on section 5 in the I-20. This gives students continuous status which is important for maintaining eligibility for work authorization . If students do not renew the I-20 on time, they have to wait until they have two terms of continuous status.
  
• RENEW THE I-94 card every time the I-20 is renewed and bring a copy to the Office of International Programs.

English Language Institute Students (ELI)

You need to be a full-time student. Usually, you need to register for 18 hours of ELI classes. This is usually 3 classes per session.

The ELI program sessions are 8 weeks long: Fall I, Fall II, Spring I, and Spring II. There is also a summer session which is 10 weeks long. Please click here to see the ELI program calendar

If you cannot take 3 classes, or you need to stop taking a class, talk to the ELI program coordinator. She will probably send you to the Office of International Programs (OIP) later. Sometimes, you are allowed to take fewer classes, but you must have approval from the OIP office.

  If you are from Mexico, you have the option to register as a part-time ELI student. If you would like to do this, you are allowed to take one or two classes. But, you will need a different kind of I-20 from the other ELI students. You need the “Border Commuter” I-20. In order to get this, you must live in Mexico and you cannot work on campus at UTEP.  If you want to be a “Border Commuter,” please talk to the ELI program coordinator.

J1 Students/Scholars/Professors

It is important that you understand and abide by the Exchange visitor program regulations.

To maintain your J-1 visa status as a visiting scholar/professor you must:

            Participate in the activities listed on your DS-2019
            Carry Health Insurance
            Maintain a full course of study
            Carry a valid DS-2019
            Uphold US laws

Notify the office of International Programs within 10 working days if your address changes

For more information please check out the US Department of State Exchange Visitor (link) http://exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges/