Admitted International Students
Your guide to success at University College
Congratulations and Welcome!
You are now officially accepted into a graduate program at University College at the University of Denver. As an international student, there are various tasks to complete and important information for you to know before you begin your graduate program.
This guide will help prepare you for success beginning on your first day of class.
Required Documents
Have you provided the required documents needed to complete your admission application?
- SEVIS form
- Photocopy of passport
- Copy of Visa documents
- Letter of financial verification (if seeking an F1 Visa)
Click here to find helpful information about completing these steps.
Your documents must be received before the first day of the month prior to the term you begin taking classes. For example, if you are starting in the Fall 2016 quarter you must submit your documents before August 1, 2016.
All documents can be sent to: ucolintl@du.edu
What steps should I take to obtain my I-20 (for students seeking an F-1 visa only)?
Confirm Your Acceptance
You must confirm that you have accepted your admissions offer with the University College Admissions office before the first day of the month prior to the term for which you have been admitted.
The link to confirm your attendance will be in your admission email.
Required Orientations and Assessments
There are orientations and assessments that you may be required to complete before starting classes. These include:
- International Student Orientation
- International Student Preparation Week
- English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA)
- Immigration Check-in
Whether you need to complete them or not will depend on your academic background and visa status. See details for each below.
1. International Student Orientation
International student advisors will discuss important topics such as immigration regulations, maintaining your status, campus resources, life at the University, and in the Denver community.
Summer Quarter 2016
When?
- March 17, 2016, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- March 18, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Where?
- Office of Internationalization: 2200 S. Josephine Street
Who must attend?
- All new international students on an F-1 or J-1 visa. Although this orientation is mandatory for F-1visa students, all international students are encouraged to attend.
*Fall Quarter 2016, Winter Quarter 2017*
Dates will be announced approximately 8 weeks prior to the start of the term
2. International Student Preparation Week
This seminar will include writing and speaking exercises that will prepare you for your program and expectations in a University College class.
Summer Quarter 2016
When?
- Wednesday, June 8th, 2016 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where?
- University College Building: 2211 S. Josephine Street
Who must attend?
- Any student whose native language is NOT English, with the exception of students who have earned a regionally accredited bachelor's degree from a U.S. institution or have previously graduated from the University of Denver English Language Center.
*Fall Quarter 2016, Winter Quarter 2017*
Dates will be announced approximately 8 weeks prior to the start of the term
3. English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA)
You will be given an English Language Assessment. Depending on the results, you may be required to take English language courses to help you for success.
Spring Quarter 2016
When?
- March 17, 2016 from 1:00 p.m.-4:30p.m.
Where?
- Office of Internationalization: 2200 S. Josephine Street
Who must attend?
- Any student whose native language is NOT English, with the exception of students who have earned a regionally accredited bachelor's degree from a U.S. institution or have previously graduated from the University of Denver English Language Center.
* Summer Quarter 2016, Fall Quarter 2016, Winter Quarter 2017*
Dates will be announced approximately 8 weeks prior to the start of the term
4. International Student Check-in
Within 30 days of arriving in the U.S., you must report your arrival to an international student advisor. Failure to check-in is a violation of your immigration status and may result in termination of your program.
When?
- March 17, 2016 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Where?
- International House: 2200 S. Josephine Street
Who must attend?
- All students on an F-1 or J-1 visa.
Do I have an academic advisor?
Every University College student has a dedicated academic advisor who has working knowledge of our programs. Your academic advisor can assist you with understanding degree requirements, help map out annual schedules, discuss resources, policies, and procedures, guide you toward academic and professional goals, and provide a graduation review, just to name a few.
When should I meet with my academic advisor?
University College invites students to meet with their academic advisor after you have registered for your first course. We encourage students to touch base regularly and with any questions or concerns. Students may visit the University College Advising Blog for frequently asked questions and updates or make an appointment with your academic advisor by calling the Student Support Center at 303-871-2291 or online through PioneerWeb by selecting the Student tab and choosing University College under the “Make an Appointment” area.
Start Mapping Your Degree Plan
Make an appointment with you academic advisor to discuss your course options and start mapping your degree program. Meeting with your advisor early and often is important to completing your degree on time.
When selecting courses, keep in mind that some programs have limited on-campus course offerings. Many classes are conducted completely online.
Additionally, graduate students must take 8 credits (2 courses) per term (only one can be online) to maintain your student VISA status. Undergraduate students must take 12 credits (3 courses) to maintain your student VISA status.
Do you know who your advisor is?
- Arts and Culture, Chris Heriza
- Environmental Policy Management, Paula Demos
- Geographic Information Systems, Paula Demos
- Global Affairs, Chris Heriza
- Healthcare Leadership, Laura Kintzer
- Information and Communication Technology, Chelsea Scott
- Leadership and Organization, Andrea Gross
- Organizational & Professional Communication, Craig Miller
- Security Management, Laura Kintzer
- Strategic Human Resource Management, Andrea Gross
How to register for classes
Can I take more than the required number of courses for my program?
Generally speaking, students should not exceed the number of hours required for their program.
Please refer to ISSS (International Student & Scholar Services) for your I-20 expiration date, and to determine how many extra courses you are eligible to take.
For more information click on the link above, or copy and paste the following URL into your web browser: http://www.du.edu/isss/visa-immigration/index.html
International Tuition Payment Options
DU partners with peerTransfer to provide you with an easy and secure method of sending international payments. peerTransfer allows you to:
- Save on bank fees and exchange rates in over 48 currencies
Pay from any country and any bank
Receive peace of mind with dedicated multilingual customer support
Track your payment from start to finish
You can make your payment through the ONLINE PAYMENT button at www.du.edu/bursar, or on PioneerWeb, Student tab, My Statement, Online Payment. Select International Bank Transfer as your payment method.
More details can be found at: www.peertransfer.com.
Consequences of withdrawing from a class
Per VISA requirements, you cannot take less than 8 credits per term for graduate students or 12 credits for undergraduate students. Please check with International Student and Scholar Services before withdrawing if you will be taking less than the required number of credits or withdrawing from on-ground courses.
Consequences of failing a class
If you fail a class, and your GPA falls below a 3.0, then you will need to complete an academic probation plan.
While this may not have an immediate impact on your VISA, failing courses will require you to retake classes – extending your time in Denver as well as increasing your tuition (fees).
If you cannot pull your GPA up above a 3.0 in a reasonable amount of time, you risk termination from the program.
**If you are provisionally admitted, meaning you need a ‘B’ or better in your first 3 courses as specified in an admission letter, and you fail a class or drop below a ‘B’ you will be terminated from the program. You can go through a termination appeal, but we recommend staying above a ‘B’ in all your mandatory provisional courses.
Campus Resources
The University of Denver has several academic and non-academic resources and support services to help International Students succeed during their time on campus.
International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS): Assists with immigration documents, cultural adjustment advising, orientation, employment (CPT), and many more international student support services.
Center for World Languages/English Tutoring: English tutoring is available to international students during the following hours:
- Monday 1-3pm
- Wednesday 12-5pm
- Thursday 12-3pm
Writing Center: Promotes and supports effective student writing by providing consultations, workshops, and more.
Disability Services: Provides free accommodations to any student who has a documented disability as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Services include test accommodations, alternate format texts, note takers, and much more.
Career Center: Provides listings for internship and job opportunities, and also helpful workshops that assist students with resume writing, networking, and interviewing skills. We encourage you to connect with the Career Center right away.
The Center for Multicultural Excellence (CME): Advances diversity and Inclusive Excellence through a range of programs and services. CME helps create a welcoming experience for success in our increasingly diverse democracy, international workforce and global society. Opportunities and resources are available on the CME website.
Health Services: The Health & Counseling Center (HCC) provides many medical and mental health services. Health insurance is available to degree-seeking students enrolled in at least one credit hour per quarter, and are taking courses on campus.
Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness: Houses the 14,500 square foot Coors Fitness Center, which includes cardio equipment, weights, fitness classes, and an Olympic size swimming pool. Graduate students registered in 8 credit hours per quarter, and undergraduate students registered in 12 credit hours per quarter have unlimited access to the facility at no charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive CPT/OPT?
Yes, we offer both CPT and OPT.
The type and duration of employment authorization you may receive will depend on the nature of the employment, your immigration status, and the relationship of the employment to your academic program.
Please check with the ISSS (International Student & Scholar Services) office for eligibility and necessary documents/forms.
For more information click on the link above, or copy and paste the following URL into your web browser: http://www.du.edu/isss/cpt-opt-employment/index.html
Will I be able to take all my courses on campus?
As a provision of an F-1 student visa, graduate students are required to take at least two courses (8 quarter credits) with at least 4-credit hour course on campus (undergraduate students on an F-1 visa must enroll in three courses (12 quarter credits) with at least two 4-credit hour courses on campus).
Due to limited on campus course offerings, it is likely that some courses will only be offered online. Review the annual course schedule located on the University College home page and work closely with your academic advisor to map out your program completion to ensure you have campus course options each quarter.
Do I have access to the career service center?
Yes, once admitted you will have access to view internships and job opportunities through the Career Center.
Our advisors recommend you begin working with career services right away.
For more information consult the Career Services website (http://www.du.edu/career/index.html).
How do I find out about health insurance, housing, and student activities?
All international students with an I-20 or DS-2019 issued by the University of Denver are required to participate in the University's Student Health Insurance Plan. For questions about coverage and cost visit the Health and Counseling website at http://www.du.edu/health-and-counseling-center/coveragecosts/
Information about housing and student life is available on the ISSS website at http://www.du.edu/isss/du-life/index.html