Distance Education Courses for International Students Enrolled at SUNY Plattsburgh

Distance Education Courses for F-1 Students 

What is considered an on-line or distance learning course?

 According to federal regulations, an on-line course is a class taken on-line or through distance learning which “does not require the student’s physical attendance for classes, examination, or other purposes integral to completion of the class.” [8 CFR § 214.2 (f)(6)(i)(G)]

 An online or distance education course is a course that is offered principally through the use of television, audio, or computer transmission including open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, satellite, audio conferencing, or computer conferencing.” [8 CFR § 214.2 (f)(6)(i)(G)]

How many can I take per required semester? 

What does this mean?

For F-1 students studying at SUNY Plattsburgh, a full-time course load is required only during the Fall and Spring semesters. During the Fall and Spring semesters, an F-1 student is limited to only one online or distance education course that can be counted towards a full-time course load, whether it is a SUNY Plattsburgh course or a course offered by another school.

There is no requirement that students be enrolled during the Summer or Winter sessions, which are optional. Thus, F-1 students can take as many online or distance education courses from SUNY Plattsburgh or from another institution as they wish (with SUNY Plattsburgh's approval) during Summer or Winter session.

How does this work in the real world? Please give me some examples.

Example 1:

An undergraduate international student is taking 16 credits, 9 of which are in traditional on campus classes and 6 on-line in the fall semester. Since fall is a required term for SUNY Plattsburgh, only one on-line course, or 3 credits, counts toward the full-time course load. This student is thus maintaining his or her F-1 student status because he has 12 credits (9 traditional plus 3 on-line credits).

 Example 2:

An undergraduate international student in her senior year wants to take three on-line courses during the winter term. She wants to stay at SUNY Plattsburgh during the Winter Term. Since winter term is optional for SUNY Plattsburgh and she can take up to 9 credits during winter term, this student may take all three on-line courses in the winter term. She is maintaining her F-1 student status.

 What if I want to take more than one (1) online course?

In certain circumstances international students are allowed to take more than one online course.  However, they MUST first have approval from the International Student Advisor.  Students interested in taking more than one online course should contact GEO to complete the appropriate paperwork.

If I am in my last semester of study and only need one course to graduate, can I take a distance education course?

No, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policy strictly prohibits students in their last semester of study from taking ONLY a distance education course.  If students only need to take a distance education course they must take another traditional course that requires regular classroom meetings.

How can I see what type of distance education courses are available at SUNY Plattsburgh?

For more information on distance education and online courses check ou the Online Learning at SUNY Plattsburgh webpage.   This site will give you all the necessary information needed on online learning at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Questions, Comments, Suggestions?

If you have any questions about international admission or financial aid at SUNY-Plattsburgh, please contact:

Global Education Office
State University of New York at Plattsburgh
Kehoe Administration Building, Room 210
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, New York 12901 USA

Phone: (518) 564-3287
Fax: (518) 564-3292
Email: geo@plattsburgh.edu