Admission of International Students
Washington Reformed Seminary
The Reformed Presbyterian Seminary of Washington is authorized under federal law to enroll international students. Any person desiring international admission should allow 3-6 months to complete the admissions process. All applicants from non English speaking school must supply official transcripts from the school with a certified English translation. Students who have a primary language other than English must certify that they are proficient in the English language.
1. Documentation For Students in F-1 Status.
International students in need of F-1 status must reach final acceptance by completing the initial admissions process and submit the following documentation prior to receiving the I-20:
-Student Visa(I-20) Application
-Affidavit of Support(notarized) or Letter Sponsorship
-Verification of Funds from Student or Sponsor
(Note: We cannot accept faxes or unofficial photocopies of financial letters or bank statements. All financial information must be statements with dates no older than 2 months prior to the I-20 application date.)
-Copy of Valid Passport
-Copy of Current Student Visa(if applicable)
-Copy of I-94 Card(if available)
-I-901 fee processed
All students accepted into the Bachelors, Masters, or Doctoral program must make a minimum deposit sufficient to cover 1 year of tuition for their first year. Only Cash or Certified Bank Check(USD) will be accepted for this payment.
2. Important Information For Students in F-1 Status.
(1) All F-1 students should be enrolled as full-time students each semester throughout their entire program. Students in the bachelor program must maintain four classes each semester(12 hours), and student in the master program must be enrolled in three classes each semester(9 hours). Doctor of Ministry students must be enrolled in 9 credit hours, 12 clock hours per week while completing research or a combination of both. These hours must be maintained and verified to avoid being out of proper USCIS status.
(2) On Campus Courses: Student are required to take a minimum of 9 hours on campus; graduate students must complete 6 hours on campus(MA, M.Div). Three(3) additional hours are required and may be completed online or on campus.
(3) Online Courses: Students are not limited to one online course, but no matter how many he/she takes, only one course counts toward maintaining a full course of study. Students must remain active in the online course and complete all course assignments. Attendance is determined by weekly activity and completion of weekly course requirements. Any four week occurrence of inactivity will automatically result in a course grade of “F”. This will count as an unauthorized drop below a full course of study in the SEVIS/USCIS system, which may be grounds of termination.
(4) Students are responsible for notifying the International Student Office of any change in their personal information no later than 10 days after the change is implemented. (Example: address, telephone, etc.) The students must also submit US Government form AR-11 to report the change.
(5) A student may be recommended for off campus employment after the student has completed one year in his program of study and proves a financial need. Student in F-1 status with a work permit may work twenty hours per week while classes are in session and forty hours per week during vacation periods. Immigration laws prohibit dependents from securing employment.
Note: If you are currently a student at another institution and already have an F-1 visa, you need a new I-20 issued by RPSW. Therefore, you must submit the I-20 application packet, transfer clearance form, a copy of current visa, I-20, passport, and I-94, along with all other admissions requirements.
Caution: Prospective Students are cautioned not to come to the United States on a Visitors Visa and then attempt to get this changed to a Student Visa once they arrive in this country. The US Immigration Service considers this as coming to the US on false pretenses and may not approve such a request. The only exception is if individuals indicate to the US Consulate in their country in writing that the purpose of a visit to the US is to select a college.
3. Information For the Doctor of Ministry(D.Min) F-1 Visa student
The following terms and conditions are to be understood and adgered to by the Doctor of Ministry((D.Min) F-1 Visa student:
(1) All International students are required by law to maintain a full-time student status.
(2) Doctor of Ministry((D.Min) F-1 Visa students may engage in research without simultaneously registering for 3 courses.
(3) A full time schedule for an F-1 Visa Doctor of Ministry student can include the following scenarios:
a) 9 credit hours of course work
b) 12 clock hours per week engaged in research with no course registration except Major Ministry Project. This research must be reported in writing and verified by University staff.
c) A combination of course work and 12 clock hours per week engaged in research.
(4) Dcotor of Ministry((D.Min) students must complete 12 clock hours per week engaged in research when not registered for any course work.
(5) Doctor of Ministry ((D.Min)students must complete 12 clock hours per week engaged in research when registered for less than 9 credit hours of course work per semester.
(6) Doctor of Ministry((D.Min) F-1 Visa students will not be granted extensions to complete research in the United States. The 5 year maximum program completion allotment will be strongly enforced by the Graduate Dean and Graduate Committee member.
(7) All Doctor of Ministry((D.Min) F-1 Visa students must submit a weekly or monthly, as determined by student and Advisor, detailed research report while completing Major Ministry Project research regardless of the student course load.
(8) All RPSW financial policies and procedures apply to Doctor of Ministry F-1 Visa students while registered in course work and/or research
(9) Doctor of Ministry((D.Min) F-1 Visa student who fail to submit satisfactory, timely, and detailed research reports will be in violation of I-20 maintenance and may be reported in SEVIS