Academic Program Changes

Your I-20 program end date should accurately reflect the amount of time you reasonably need to complete your degree requirements. An end date that is too short may create immigration complications and could require an Extension of Stay (EOS) application with USCIS. Conversely, students should not assume they can simply request more time in the future if they fail to plan appropriately.

Students should immediately consult ISS if:

• They are behind in their degree program
• They are considering reducing their course load
• They have changed their academic plans
• They intend to add another major
• They believe they may need additional semesters to graduate
• Their advisor has informed them that graduation will occur later than originally expected

Failure to accurately maintain program information could result in a student's immigration record no longer matching their academic record, potentially affecting future immigration benefits and eligibility for continued F-1 status.

Under the new regulations, undergraduate students will face new restrictions during their first academic year in the U.S. During this period, F-1 students generally will not be permitted to:

• Change majors
• Transfer to another institution
• Change educational levels

This restriction may have implications for students who:

• Enter the U.S. as "undeclared" majors
• Are considering changing academic programs shortly after arrival
• Wish to transfer from one institution to another
• Intend to pursue a different degree path than originally indicated on their admission documents

Because these limitations apply during a student's first academic year in the U.S., it is more important than ever that students carefully research academic programs before selecting a major and before accepting admission to a school. Students considering any academic change should consult ISS before taking action.

Graduate students are among the groups most significantly affected by these regulatory changes. DHS has imposed additional restrictions on educational objective changes and transfers for graduate-level students. In many cases, graduate students may be prohibited from changing academic programs after beginning their course of study.

Examples may include:

• Changing from one master's program to another
• Changing fields of study after beginning a graduate program
• Pursuing a different graduate-level academic objective than originally authorized

Graduate students may also face substantial limitations on transferring schools. Under the new regulations, transfers may only be permitted in limited circumstances approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), such as school closure or other extraordinary situations. Routine transfers that were previously permitted may no longer be available.

Because many graduate and doctoral programs extend beyond several years and often involve dissertation, thesis, research, or capstone requirements, graduate students should work closely with both their academic advisor and ISS to ensure that their academic plans, expected completion dates, and immigration records remain aligned throughout their program.

The new regulations also restrict a student's ability to pursue multiple degrees at the same educational level or at a lower educational level. Under previous rules, students could often complete one degree and then begin another degree at the same level while maintaining F-1 status. Under the new regulations, F-1 students generally will not be permitted to complete an additional degree at the same educational level or at a lower educational level. These restrictions are often referred to as prohibitions on lateral matriculation (earning another degree at the same level) and reverse matriculation (earning a degree at a lower level after completing a higher-level degree).

For students whose program completes after September 15, 2026:

• A student who has completed an Associate's degree would not be able to complete a second Associate's degree.
• A student who has completed a Bachelor's degree would not be able to complete a second Bachelor's degree or an Associate's degree.
• A student who has completed a Master's degree would not be able to complete a second Master's degree, a Bachelor's degree, or an Associate's degree.
• A student who has completed a Doctoral degree would generally not be eligible to pursue another Doctoral degree or a degree at a lower educational level while maintaining F-1 status.

Additional examples include:

• A student who completes a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science would generally not be permitted to begin a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology.
• A student who earns a Master of Business Administration (MBA) would generally not be permitted to pursue a second master's degree in Accounting or Data Science.
• A student who completes a Master's degree and later decides to pursue a Bachelor's degree in a different field would generally not be eligible to do so in F-1 status.
• A student who earns an Associate's degree and then progresses to a Bachelor's degree would continue to be permitted to advance to a higher educational level. The restriction applies to repeating the same level or moving backward to a lower educational level.
• A student who completes a Bachelor's degree, participates in OPT, and then seeks admission to a second Bachelor's degree program would generally not be permitted to obtain F-1 status for that new program.