Graduate International Student Support for Federal Duration of Status Rule Change
This document provides Graduate student-focused resources for staff and faculty. While the International Student Services website shares updated, important information with our international students, scholars, faculty and staff, this KB specifically includes information for those who support graduate international students. Many of the resources on this page will include links to other websites, but this document will focus on questions and concerns of Graduate programs. It will also include minutes from the Graduate Program Duration of Status work group. This sub-group includes representation from all schools/colleges focused on prioritizing questions, contemplating implications, and planning for the future of international student support. Note that this document focuses on F-1 and J-1 students. J-1 scholars and postdocs are supported by the ISS website.
Graduate Student Support Resources
International Student Services website for the New "Duration of Status" Rule
Graduate School/ISS Presentation on Duration of Status Rule Change
Final Rule Quick Facts
Final Rule FAQ
The following are examples of questions we have already received from campus partners. When we have answers, clarified by ISS and the Office of Legal Affairs, they will be included on the ISS webpage with FAQs and updated here.
- Can we offer asynchronous online courses to international students while courses for domestic students remain face-to-face?
- Can students complete degree requirements from abroad?
- Should we consider restructuring our program to accommodate students taking either first year coursework outside of the United States or completing research and dissertations outside of the United States?
- Can a student work as a graduate assistant (TA, RA or PA) while outside the U.S.?
- Can programs continue to offer more than four-year funding commitments to international students?
- Can a PhD student not continuing on with the PhD degree be awarded the master’s degree if those requirements have been met?
- Can a PhD student receive the master’s degree on the way to completing the PhD degree?
- Can a current student in a master’s degree program add a PhD program?
- Can students who enrolled in Capstone Certificates apply for and remain in the country for a master’s degree?
- Can international graduate students complete double degrees (two same-level Graduate degrees), joint degrees (one degree comprised of two academic programs/majors), or special committee degrees (uniquely approved academic program/major for an individual)?
- Can international graduate students complete dual degree programs (defined as completing a graduate degree and a professional degree simultaneously)?
- If a student earned a masters degree outside the U.S. are they prohibited from earning one at a U.S. institution?
- Should we increase recruitment and marketing efforts toward domestic students in the coming years?
Academic planning and curricular questions: Graduate School Assistant Dean Jenna Alsteen, jenna.alsteen@wisc.edu
F-1/J-1 student questions: ISS Advising, iss@iss.wisc.edu, 608-262-2044
J-1 scholar/postdoc questions: International Faculty and Staff Services, IFSS International, ifss@wisc.edu
Graduate Program Duration of Status Work Group Minutes
August 21, 2026