International Admissions

If you are seeking an F-1 Visa for the first time, follow the steps below to apply for admissions:

Step 1: Admissions Phone Interview

All applicants are required to have a phone interview with an enrollment advisor. During the call, your advisor will walk you through the admissions process and admission requirements, and answer any questions you have. To schedule your phone interview, please call us at (855) 313-0885 or email us at international@usuniversity.edu.

Step 2: Complete an Online Application

After you have completed the phone interview, the next step is to submit an online application for admission. The deadlines for submission of the application and all supporting documentation for international applicants will be available on the University Website and/or supplemental application form.

You will need to meet the following requirements in order to apply:

Step 3: Apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate

Once you have paid your I-901 SEVIS Fee and obtained a receipt, the next step is to apply for your F-1 visa. Apply as soon as possible! Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early.

Each individual who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members.

Note: Student visas for new students can be issued up to 365 days in advance of the start date for a course of study. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States on your student visa more than 30 days before the start date.

1. How to Apply:
   1. In-person at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
   2. Online using form DS-160.You must: 1) complete the online visa application, and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview. Learn more about completing the DS-160.
2. Schedule Your Interview Appointment
   You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live. Please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside of your home country for a full list of requirements.
3. Pay the Non-Refundable Visa Application Fee, if you are required to pay it before your interview. This fee is separate from the SEVIS fee. Additionally, if your visa is approved, you may also be required to pay a visa issuance fee, if applicable to your nationality. To see if your nationality has a visa issuance fee, review this page.
4. Gather Required Documents for Your Interview
   Gather the following documents in preparation for your interview. Please note that this checklist is not exhaustive and ultimately it is your responsibility to confirm with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate which documents are required for the interview.
   1. Passport
      1. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements)
   2. Form DS-160 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application) confirmation page, if you applied online
   3. SEVIS fee payment receipt
   4. Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview
   5. Photo
      1. You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.
   6. Form I-20
   7. Financial Documents
   8. Acceptance letter from USU
   9. TOEFL iBT or IELTS score(s)
   10. Transcripts or diplomas from previous schools attended
5. Attend your interview
   A consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive a student visa. For more details on the interview process, visit this website.

Please know that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States, it only permits you to arrive and seek permission to enter the country. The final authority to admit entry into the country comes from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the U.S. port of entry.

Note: The University does not provide U.S. visa services to nonimmigrant students, but it does comply with all requirements of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Any fees related to visa services are the sole responsibility of the student.

Step 4: Entering into the United States

Once you receive your F-1 visa you are permitted to enter the United States up to 30 days prior to the start of your program. You will need to send your visa information to your enrollment advisor.

The U.S. immigration process can be confusing, so we’ve put together a checklist that will walk you through what to expect during the process and provide you with some helpful tips and information: Navigating the United States Immigration System

Step 5: Registering for Courses and Preparing to Start

Tuition and fees are due during registration for class and must be paid in full at the time of registration, but no later than ten (10) business days prior to the start of your program. Deferments of payments, installment payments, or payment plans are not allowed. International students are required to enroll in a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester (2 ground courses and 1 online course). Students are required to attend every scheduled class session on campus.

If you are a current F-1 visa student who is maintaining your status and wish to transfer to United States University, follow the steps below to apply for admissions:

Step 1: Admissions Phone Interview

All applicants are required to have a phone interview with an enrollment advisor. During the call, your advisor will walk you through the admissions process and admission requirements, and answer any questions you have. To schedule your phone interview, please call us at (855) 313-0885 or email us at international@usuniversity.edu.

Step 2: Complete an Online Application

After you have completed the phone interview, the next step is to submit an online application for admission. The deadlines for submission of the application and all supporting documentation for international applicants will be available on the University Website and/or supplemental application form.

You will need to meet the following requirements in order to apply:

Step 3: Registering for Courses and Preparing to Start

Tuition and fees are due during registration for class and must be paid in full at the time of registration, but no later than ten (10) business days prior to the start of your program. Deferments of payments, installment payments, or payment plans are not allowed. International students are required to enroll in a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester (2 ground courses and 1 online course). Students are required to attend every scheduled class session on campus.

Academic Calendar | United States University

Both MBA and DBA – international track requires that students gain practical experience in their field of study while enrolled. Students must take at least one term of Curricular Practical Training (CPT) prior to enrolling in the graduate capstone course or systematic project courses. You are permitted to take more than one term of CPT if you choose, as long as you remain eligible. You may start your CPT at any time during the program (day 1 CPT). We recommend that you start looking for CPT opportunities as soon as you enter the program.

You must apply for CPT through the Designated School Official (DSO) and have a job offer at the time of application. The DSO will review your application and determine if you are eligible for CPT. If approved, the DSO will authorize your CPT in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and you may begin working for your employer.

Things to note:

• You must maintain full-time student status while working on CPT, and throughout your program.
• You must maintain your SEVIS record and keep the DSO updated on your employment status.
• CPT is authorized for one (1) semester and students must apply for CPT no later than two (2) weeks prior to the session in which they intend to participate.
• CPT employment may not delay completion of the academic program.

For more information about eligibility for CPT please contact the DSO at DSO@usuniversity.edu.

Details About CPT and Definitions

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is defined as employment which is an integral part of an established curriculum, including: “alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.” (8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)). CPT is work authorization for employment that is either required by a student’s curriculum or for a credit bearing course. CPT is not used for sustaining employment in the United States and those abusing CPT opportunities face serious consequences up to loss of F-1 visa status.

It is indicated in 8 CFR 214.2 (f)(10) that “practical training may be authorized to an F-1 student who has been lawfully enrolled on a full time basis, in a SEVP-approved college, university, conservatory, or seminary for one full academic year. 8 CFR 214.2 (f)(10)(i) asserts “an F-1 student may be authorized by a DSO to participate in a curricular practical training program that is an integral part of an established curriculum.” Students who have received one or more years of full-time CPT at the same grade-level (i.e., bachelor, master, doctorate) are ineligible for post-completion OPT at that grade-level. Also, the one full academic year requirement may be waived under 8 CFR 214.2 (f)(10)(i) for students enrolled in graduate studies that require immediate participation in CPT.”

Students are reminded that CPT authorizations are approved for those practical training opportunities that are directly aligned with the student’s major field of study. Students must have the full-time or part-time offer for practical training before they are permitted to apply for CPT authorization with a Designated School Official (DSO). Once authorized for CPT, students will be enrolled in MGT998 DBA Professional Symposium or MGT999 Graduate Professional Symposium which links to the program learning outcomes of the MBA or DBA and allows students to explore contemporary issues in their field of study and specialization while gaining practical training. The inquiry along with their practical experience in the field during CPT will be used to inform and develop their final project in MGT699 Capstone or DBA Systematic Project Courses.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is 12-month work authorization available to F-1 students who are seeking employment opportunities in their fields of study. This training opportunity provides students the ability to gain practical training in their field of study. This work authorization gives students the ability to work off-campus and can be extended during or after completion of their program.

Types of OPT

There are two types of OPT recommended by United States University in include Pre-Completion OPT and Post-Completion OPT. Pre-Completion OPT is OPT used before a student’s program completion and includes both part-time and full-time work. Post-Completion OPT is any portion of OPT used after the student’s program completion and must be full-time.

Eligibility Requirements for OPT

F-1 students at United States University must be in full-time F-1 status for at least one academic year to be eligible for OPT. Students must be seeking employment in the major field of study listed on their current I-20 form and be completing their program of study at United States University. F-1 students must be physically present in the United States at the time of application to USCIS and not have used more than one year of full-time CPT during their current degree-level [part-time does not count]. Because OPT is based on your completion date, you do not have to be employed at the time of application.

At United States University, one academic year means consecutive enrollment:

Summer I & Summer II – Fall I & Fall II

Fall I & Fall II – Spring I & Spring II

Spring I & Spring II – Summer I & Summer II