Completing Your Program of Study
There are a few dates and milestones that will determine your official program completion date. It is important to understand your official program completion date, since it is this date that is reflected on your I-20 and it is this date upon which your Immigration Record (and thus, your F-1 Status) is based.
If you are planning to begin a new degree program at MCPHS, the Immigration Services Office must create a new I-20 reflecting the new program’s information. To request an update to your I-20 for your new program of study, you will need to submit an online Application for New I-20.
All students applying for an I-20 for a new program, will be required to upload the following information to the form:
Students already maintaining F-1 Status within the U.S. will also need to upload:
Students who will be accompanied by dependents will also need to upload:
Note: The new I-20 must be created no later than the end of your 60-Day Grace Period. For more information on beginning a new program, please visit the Getting Started section of our website.
There are three standard graduation dates. You must register for graduation with the Office of the Registrar. As you register in your remaining classes, make sure you are completing all requirements for your degree.
Your program completion date will be the University’s official graduation date for the semester in which you complete all program requirements. If you will complete your program of study during the summer, you must be registered in any of the Summer Terms and you must complete Summer SEVIS Registration with the Immigration Services Office.
You can refer to the Academic Calendar posted on the Office of the MCPHS Registar’s webpages for official graduation dates.
Your program completion date will be the University’s official graduation date for the semester in which you complete all program requirements. If you will complete your program of study during the summer, you must be registered in any of the Summer Terms and you must complete Summer SEVIS Registration with the Immigration Services Office.
You can refer to the Academic Calendar posted on the Office of the MCPHS Registar’s webpages for official graduation dates.
Your official program completion date will be the day you submit your Thesis/Dissertation to the Library. Please note that all students who will complete and submit their Thesis/Dissertation during the summer must be registered in at least one Summer Term.
Your completion date is the last day of exams for the term in which you finish your non-degree studies or the date specified on your Form I-20, whichever is earlier.
Changes to Your I-20
If you will be ending your program of study prior to the end date listed on your current I-20, the Immigration Services Office will issue you an amended I-20 reflecting your actual program completion date. Please be aware that many post-graduation benefits (such as applying for employment authorization or for program transfer) must occur within the Grace Period following your true program end date.
Beginning a New Program at MCPHS
If you are planning to begin a new degree program at MCPHS, the Immigration Services Office must create a new I-20 reflecting the new program’s information. To request an update to your I-20 for your new program of study, you will need to submit an online Application for New I-20.All students applying for an I-20 for a new program, will be required to upload the following information to the form:
- Passport Bio Page(s)
- Proof of Funding
- Please review our most up-to-date Cost of Attendance Breakdown for estimated program costs.
- Please review our Financial Documentation Requirements handout for information regarding financial documentation formatting and information that must be reflected on the document.
- If you will be funded by an individual or individuals other than yourself, you must submit a Financial Sponsorship Certification filled out and signed by each individual.
Students already maintaining F-1 Status within the U.S. will also need to upload:
- I-94 Admission Document
- F-1 Visa
Students who will be accompanied by dependents will also need to upload:
- Dependent Passport Bio Page(s)
Note: The new I-20 must be created no later than the end of your 60-Day Grace Period. For more information on beginning a new program, please visit the Getting Started section of our website.