International Student Office
The International Student Office is established to:
- Assist international students with the services required to facilitate their matriculation at the University
- Assist international students in meeting various Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) requirements throughout the study period
- Provide information designed to facilitate the adjustment of international students to life in the United States and at Southern University
The office is located in Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union, second floor, Suite 203. The International Student Advisor may be reached at (225) 771-2940. The Facsimile (FAX) number is (225) 771-2202.
Regulations of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, governing nonimmigrant F-1 students, require international students in this category to pursue a full course of study while maintaining nonimmigrant student status.
Under this regulation, a graduate student will be required to register for a minimum of nine semester hours of course work in a degree program. Any modification of these requirements resulting in non-degree study or a course load less than the above minimum requirements must be authorized by the International Student Advisor in consultation with the Department Chair, advisor and the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Students who fail to observe the above requirements will not be eligible to receive a Certificate of Eligibility (Form 1-20) and other letters of certification in support of their continuation in the nonimmigrant F-1 student status. Students in the Exchange Visitor Visa (J-1) category requesting transfer to the University's Private Exchange Visitor program from another program must obtain approval from the International Student advisor before admission to the University becomes valid .Questions concerning United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) regulations should be directed to the International Student Advisor.
Admission of Special Needs Students
Southern University does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the recruitment and admission of students, in the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, or in the operation of any of its programs and activities, as specified by federal laws and regulations. The designated coordinator for compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, is the Coordinator of Student Services, 246 Augustus C. Blanks Hall, (225) 771- 3950.
Students who have been officially admitted into a graduate program of study who have special needs which qualify for accommodations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, particularly Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, must report their disability to the Office for Services to Students with Disabilities located in Augustus C. Blanks Hall, Room 246. Information on making a request for services and accommodations on how to report a disability can be secured by writing to:
Southern University and A&M College
Office for Services to Students with Disabilities
246 Augustus C. Blanks Hall
Southern University
Baton Rouge, LA 70813
Phone: 225.771.3546 (V/TTD)-Fax:225.771.3949