Changes to your Major/Program

Please Read First

This page contains information for F-1 and J-1 students who wish to change their major or program.

All international undergraduate students who have changed or added a major or minor, or graduate students who changed or added a program of study, are required to notify the Office of International Student and Study Abroad Services (ISSAS) immediately so that we may update SEVIS and issue you an updated I-20 (for F-1 students) or DS-2019 (for J-1 students).

Please review the information below on how to change your area of study. The process for approval may differ for J-1 students, depending on your situation (see below).

Process

Type of StudentImportant Steps
Undergraduate (Degree-Seeking)

If you must change your major/minor or program, please make the change through OneStop.

  1. First, visit the "Student Forms" section of the OneStop website.
    • View the "Registration & Records" list and- click the "Major Change Request" link to complete their form
  2. After your record has been updated with the change, notify your international student advisor.
    • According to your family name, your advisor is listed on the following page:
    • When emailing your advisor, you must include the following information:
      • Your full name
      • Your Student ID
      • Major/minor/program that you have changed or added
IELPIf you are an IELP (Intensive English Language Program) student who was conditionally admitted and has now gained full admission to an undergraduate program at NDSU, please consult with your international student advisor and the International Undergraduate Admission Team as early as possible upon application as a degree-seeking student so that this transition is smooth. A new I-20 listing the new major will be required. For more information please contact us at:ndsu.intl.admissions@ndsu.edu
Graduate Students

If you are a graduate student who is requesting a program change, you should discuss this with your department and the Graduate School if necessary, and also complete the request form found on the Graduate School website:
https://www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/current_students/forms/

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR ALL J-1 STUDENTS

All international undergraduate students who have changed or added a major or minor, or graduate students who changed or added a program of study, are required to notify the Office of International Student and Study Abroad Services (ISSAS) immediately so that we may update SEVIS and issue you an updated DS-2019.

As a J-1 student, you must get prior approval for changing your major, or degree objective. Your J-1 sponsor is required keep documentation on file that the change was justified.

  • If your DS-2019 is issued by NDSU, please contact Lisa.Hauck@ndsu.edu for more information on updating your major/program.
  • If your DS-2019 is issued by another organization, you must first contact your sponsor to ensure they can allow such a change under the guidelines of your program.
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