Master’s students generally have the option of choosing the courses of their interest from the list of courses available in a particular semester, provided they satisfy the pre-requisites for the course. One of the faculty members from the department also helps a student as the Graduate Advisor helps the student in course selection based on the student’s interests and capabilities.

Course work generally involves assignments, projects, presentations, class participation, etc and credit is given to every part of the course including tests, turning in the assignments, and even class attendance (in certain courses). The students have to work hard on each of the courses taken, throughout the semester in order to get a good grade in that course.

1. Academic Profile (Academic Percentage, certifications, affiliations, etc)
2. Practical Exposure (seminars, journals, projects, internships, work experience, etc)
3. Aptitude Test Scores (TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, etc whatever are applicable)

The above areas are important for a student’s admission into a good university; however, one should understand that not any one of the above is more important than the other. All of these carry weight and with all these, one can make a good impression on the admissions committee.

Semesters, Credits:

There are generally two admission in-takes per year. The ‘Fall’ in-take is for the semester which starts around August and the ‘Spring’ in-take is for the semester which starts around January. Apart from these two semesters, there is also a summer semester but the in-take for this semester is generally low. Students aspiring to pursue a Master’s Degree can start their course work either in the fall or the spring semester but generally Business Schools generally recommend its students to start their course work in the fall semester. However, this varies with University. Most of the universities follow this kind of semester system; however, some universities also follow ‘trimesters’ or ‘quarters’ system and extent of course work varies accordingly.

A Student can take courses as per his/her interest, from the list of courses available, provided the student satisfies the pre-requisites for the courses. Based on the quality or depth of the course, courses carry a certain number of credits that one gains upon completion of that course. Regular graduate level courses carry 3 credits per course. In general, international students require taking at least 3 courses per semester in order to maintain their student visa status i.e., a student generally takes 9 credits per semester (except for the graduating semester). It is up to the student to take courses more than 3 in a particular semester. Advanced courses or courses which include laboratory sessions generally carry more than 3 credits and simple courses carry less than 3 credits (Courses like: under-graduate level courses, some pre-requisite or bridge courses, courses not related to our subject of interest, etc)

Depending on the university and the degree one is seeking, they will have to complete a fixed number of credits in order to gain the degree. For example, most of the universities offering a Master’s degree in Engineering require the student to complete 33 credits to complete the degree requirements. Of the credits that are required, there are some courses which are core and are hence mandatory for the students to complete and then the student also has the option of taking various elective courses (some might need pre-requisite courses).

Based on the degree requirements, some universities may offer a Master’s Degree with a thesis option, where the student takes part in a research program and presents his/her research findings in a comprehensive documentation and presentation to the faculty. This thesis is taken apart from the course work that is mandatory; upon clearance from the faculty, the student will then get a Master’s Degree with a thesis option.

1. Hourly jobs (working at various offices, cafeterias, etc for hourly salary)
2. Research Assistantship (working under a professor on a research topic)
3. Graduate Assistantship (working in different departments ex: lab in-charge, web master, library assistants, etc)
4. Teaching Assistantship (help a professor in grading tests and assignments or assist him/her in taking laboratory sessions, etc)
5. Fellowship (working on your research idea, may be leading up to a PhD)

The hourly job is the only one which comes just with a hourly salary; so the pay one gets is based on the number of hours he/she works (within the 20 hours per week limit). The assistantships and fellowships come with a fee-waiver apart from a good salary; the fee-waiver may be partial or complete and generally they also come with a health insurance.
Apart from the above forms of financial aid for a student, he/she might also get a scholarship which is nothing but a one-time financial award to the student. These scholarships are given at the start of the program or in admission letter itself. These scholarship offers may be valid for a semester or a year and there is no guarantee that they may be renewed for another term. Sometimes, scholarships are awarded to students to lure them to join the particular university; hence students should judge such offers carefully.
Corporate exposure:
As a part of the advantages one enjoys being on an F-1 student visa in the US, he/she is allowed to get corporate exposure too during or after the degree. They are as follows:

1. Curriculum Practical Training or CPT (Student gets to take a break for a semester or more and work with a company in his/her field)
2. Co-op Study (Student gets to work part time in a company while taking up the course work in the university)
3. Optional Practical Training or OPT (Student gets to work full time in a company after graduation)

In order to become eligible for any of the above opportunities, the student has to approach the international students’ office and check with them. The student has to approach a company and get an offer from them for the same; the university’s career center can be of help too in this regard.

1. Never fall short of the minimum course enrollment (generally 3 courses per semester). If one fails to do so, they will have to inform the international students’ office and take prior permission under special circumstances
2. Maintain minimum grades required as per the university’s immigration rules for international students (generally B or above). If the student fails to maintain the required minimum grades, he/she might face probation period or expulsion from the university
3. Do not accept any employment, either on- or off-campus, without written permission from the international students’ office
4. If you leave the US without completing your program of study, leave US for a holiday and intend to come back, complete your program early or change to another non-immigrant status, notify the international students’ office so that your record in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data base accurately reflects your current status
5. Notify the international students’ office upon arrival in the US and every time you change your address
6. Obtain extensions, as needed, of your permission to stay in the US before your I-20 expires

The above are some of the important rules that a student has to follow during his/her stay in the US as an F-1 visa holder, failing which the student might lose his/her visa status and might hence be entitled to leave the country. Any information regarding these can be obtained from the International Students’ Office in the University.

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