International Applicants

Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies has a variety of programs to fit the needs of adult learners. Because most of our programs are designed for part-time study in the evenings and on weekends, full-time student or exchange visas are not possible for the majority of SCS programs. Please see below for a comprehensive list of SCS programs and special visa issues pertaining to each program. It is important that you also visit the web site belonging of the program to which you are applying for additional admission information specific to international students.

Graduate Programs

SCS welcomes international students to apply and, if admitted, enroll in our graduate programs. SCS does not, however, process I-20 or DS-2019 forms for full-time student or exchange visas. Our degree programs are designed as part-time programs for working professionals and cannot be used to maintain legal status in the United States.

Student visa documents cannot be issued to students for the purpose of attending SCS graduate programs, however attendance may be permissible for participants already in the U.S. with valid visas for other primary purposes.

Undergraduate Degree Program

The undergraduate degree program administered by the School of Continuing Studies is designed for part-time study in the evenings and on weekends.

While SCS welcomes international student participation in our undergraduate program, SCS does not process I-20 or DS-2019 forms for full-time student or exchange visas. Our undergraduate degree program is designed as a part-time program for working professionals and cannot be used to maintain legal status in the United States.

Student visa documents cannot be issued to students for the purpose of attending the SCS undergraduate program, however attendance may be permissible for participants already in the U.S. with valid visas for other primary purposes.

Professional Health Careers Program

The Premedicine & Professional Health Careers post-baccalaureate certificate programs administered by the School of Continuing Studies are designed for part-time study in the evenings and on weekends.

While SCS welcomes international student participation in the Premedicine & Professional Health Careers programs, SCS does not process I-20 or DS-2019 forms for full-time student or exchange visas. The Premedicine & Professional Health Careers programs cannot be used to maintain legal status in the United States.

Student-at-Large

Students-at-large are not admitted to a program; a student visa cannot be issued to take courses as a student-at-large.

Professional Development Programs

Students taking courses for college credit in a professional development program are not admitted to any program; a student visa cannot be issued to take courses within a professional development program.

Student visa documents cannot be issued to students for the purpose of admission and registering for professional development courses without college credit; attendance in short courses may be permissible for participants already in the U.S., with valid visas for other primary purposes.

College Prep Program

The College Preparation Program welcomes applications from international students. To allow sufficient time for processing visa requests, international students must apply by mid-March 2007.

Non-Degree Special Students
(taking Northwestern University day-school courses during the regular academic year)

At this time, international students who wish to attend Northwestern University as Non-degree Special Students may only enter the US on a J-1 visa. In order to obtain the required visa document, you must show proof that a substantive amount of your financial support for study at Northwestern comes from an institution, organization or government. No visa documents for F-1 visas will be issued to International Non-degree Special Students until further notice.

Summer Session- Visiting Students

International students who wish to attend Northwestern University's Summer Session as visiting students may enter the United States on a J-1 or an F-1 visa and must register full-time, which is defined as three or four courses. In order to obtain the appropriate visa document, please go the International Office web site at www.northwestern.edu/international and click on New Students and follow that to the Applying for a Student Visa link.

In addition to the Visiting Student Registration Form, international students must submit the following materials to the Summer Session Office (405 Church Street, Evanston, Illinois 60208-4220) no later than April 15, 2007:

1. A completed I-20/DS 2019 Request Form, available at http://www.northwestern.edu/international (from this page, follow the directions to the request forms as stated above).
2. All financial documents specified in the I-20/DS 2019 Request Form; failure to submit proper documentation delays the visa process.
3. A copy of your Test of English as a Foreign Language score report showing a minimum score of 100 (internet), 600 (paper), or 250 (electronic).

The Northwestern University International Office processes the request and, upon approval, generates a visa eligibility document. This document is mailed to the address indicated on your I-20/DS 2019 Request Form. If you have questions regarding visa issues, please e-mail the International Office at intadmit@northwestern.edu. Please, do not telephone the International Office as they are unable to return international calls.

Prior to arrival on campus, international students must also submit an Admission Health Record Form to prove that they meet the entrance health requirements mandated by Illinois law and Northwestern University. Contact Health Services at 847-491-2117 or mfd810@northwestern.edu to request a copy or download the form at www.nuhs.northwestern.edu.

If you have further questions, please contact:

International Office
Northwestern University
630 Dartmouth Place
Evanston, Illinois 60208-4190
USA
intadmit@northwestern.edu
www.northwestern.edu/international