International Students

Welcome to the U.S. and to the George Washington University! We hope that your stay here is rewarding and enjoyable.

GW's International Services Office

If you are an international student, the International Services Office (ISO) should be your first stop once you arrive on campus. The ISO will complete a "check-in" procedure with you to ensure that all legal requirements are in place for you to begin your studies. Throughout your stay at GW, the ISO will provide you with guidance on maintaining your legal status.

It is very important for international students to pay close attention to legal requirements for studying in the U.S; visit the ISO website for further information and resources. The ISO also offers a wide variety of programs, events, and workshops for international students - including employment and taxes, strategies for academic success, practice with English conversation, and U.S. culture. International students can also sign up on the ISO website for an email listserv to help stay in touch with requirements and special activities.

Courseload/Credit Hours

Graduate students who are in the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 visa must be registered for a minimum of 9 credit hours for both fall and spring semesters. The corresponding minimum courseload for international undergraduate students is 12 credits. There is normally no requirement for registration in the summer. The only exception to this is that international students who begin their program of study in the summer must register for at least 6 credits.

Exceptions may be made during the last semester of study and for students having academic difficulty or medical problems. Click here for information on requesting approval to take a reduced courseload. Requests should be submitted before the start of the semester.

Important: File Necessary Paperwork and Comply Carefully with Procedures

Throughout your studies at GW, it is extremely important to pay attention to procedures and requirements, and to submit all paperwork on time to the ISO. Failure to comply with Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) requirements may jeopardize your status in the program, and delay or hinder any future request for status changes with the INS.

SPHHS Resources

Mallory Boyd (mallory@gwu.edu) in the SPHHS Office of Student Academic and Career Development Services (Ross 221) can assist international students with requirements, questions, and forms. International applicants have special admissions requirements, which are detailed in the instructions for the graduate application. Jane Smith (sphjms@gwumc.edu), in the Office of Recruitment and Admissions, can answer questions.