Change of Degree Level

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Undergraduate Students

If you complete a bachelor’s degree at UCI and have been accepted into a graduate program at UCI, you will need to request a new I-20/DS-2019 for your graduate program to maintain your visa status.

Follow this process if you:

  • Completed a Bachelor’s and will start a Master’s or Ph.D. Program

When to request:

  • F-1 Students: 
    • Request your new I-20 before the start of the new degree program.
    • Request your new I-20 before the end of your 60-day grace period.
    • If you are on OPT (Optional Practical Training), it will end on the day you begin your new graduate program.
  • J-1 Students: You must request the new DS-2019 before the program end date listed on your current DS-2019. J-1 students who plan to change program level should discuss their timeline with an International Student Advisor at the International Center.

How to Request:

  1. Complete New Graduate Student Request—Student.
  2. You will work with your admitting graduate department to request the new I-20/DS-2019.
  3. The International Center will issue a new I-20/DS-2019 for the new graduate program.

As the Start of the New Program:

  1. At the start of your program, you must complete iNavigateUCI: International Center Visa Check-In.
  2. Continue to maintain status.

Graduate Students

If you change your degree level while enrolled in a graduate program at UCI, you must request a new I-20/DS-2019 to maintain your visa status.

Change of Degree Level During Program

This process should only be used if you intend to change from one degree level to another within an academic unit.

Follow this process if you are changing from:

  • Master’s to Ph.D. program
  • Ph.D. to Master’s program

When to request:

  • Request a new I-20/DS-2019 for your new graduate degree level before making the change into the new degree level.
  • We recommend discussing your plans with an International Student Advisor.

How to Request:

  1. Contact Graduate Division for information on Change of Degree Level and fill out DocuSign form for Change of Degree Level .
  2. Contact your academic department to initiate the Change of Degree Level process.
  3. Complete the International Center Change of Degree Level Visa Document Request.
    1. The Funding Verification is required if you are changing from Master’s to Ph.D.
    2. The International Center will issue a new I-20/DS-2019 for your new degree level.

At the Start of the New Program:

  1. At the start of your program, you must complete iNavigateUCI: International Center Visa Check-In.
  2. Continue to maintain status.

Admission into a new Degree Program  

This process should be used if you are currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at UCI and have been admitted into a different graduate program at UCI.

This applies to you:

  • If you applied for a new graduate program and are not eligible for Graduate Division Change of Degree Level.
  • You are advised to schedule a time to discuss your plans with an International Student Advisor at the International Center to determine your eligibility for a new I-20/DS-2019.

How to Request:

  1. Complete New Graduate Student Request—Student.
  2. You will work with your admitting graduate department to request the new I-20 or DS-2019.
  3. The International Center will issue a new I-20/DS-2019 for the new graduate program.

At the Start of the New Program:

  1. At the start of your program, you must complete iNavigateUCI: International Center Visa Check-In.
  2. Continue to maintain status.