First, please review the Immigration Updates section on our website for up-to-date information regarding entry restrictions, visa applications, and other changes that could impact you.
As a new student outside of the U.S. starting your degree program at CU Denver | Anschutz, you have three options:
Option 1: Come to the U.S. for your first semester.
- For graduate students, enroll in at least five credit hours for a full-time course load. For F-1 and J-1 students, at least one (1) class must be hybrid, on-campus, independent study, internship, or dissertation/thesis credits.
- For undergraduate students, enroll in at least 12 credit hours. Undergraduate students in F-1 or J-1 status can only count one (1) online or remote course towards their full-time enrollment.
- If you are having trouble finding courses to meet your credit requirements, please contact your academic or program advisor for assistance.
Option 2: Take Remote/Online Classes outside the U.S. for your first semester.
- If you prefer not to come to the U.S. for your first semester or cannot arrive in the U.S. by the start date of classes, you may take online or remote courses from outside of the U.S.
- Please contact ISSS to notify us of your plans to study from outside of the U.S. If you plan to study in person for a future semester, an ISSS Specialist will need to update the program start date on your I-20.
- Other Considerations:
- Are you able to access the technology for online coursework in your home country (e.g., Canvas, university email, Zoom, etc.)? Will you require a VPN to access it? Have you considered the difference in time zones between Colorado and your home country?
Option 3: Defer admission to a future semester.
- If you prefer to start your studies in a future semester, you may defer your admission to another semester.
- To request a deferral, complete the deferral form here: Deferral Form.
- After your admission deferral has been processed, ISSS will email you when the I-20 request period for your new first semester has opened.