Begin New Degree Program
Change of Education Level (CEL) with Degree Completion (including 4+1)
A new I-20 is required when you have completed one degree program and will begin another degree program either at the same or higher education level. For example: Completing a Bachelor's degree and starting a Master's program or completing a Master's degree and starting a new Master's program.
Request your Change of Education Level (CEL) I-20 by submitting the Change of Educational Level eForm via the ISSC eForm Portal. Once you have submitted all requested materials, your request will be reviewed within our standard 7 business day processing time, which does not include weekends or ASU observed holidays. During peak seasons, processing times may be more than 7 business days as we deal with a higher volume of requests. Once a request is approved, you can expect to receive your new degree level I-20 after the end of the semester in which you complete your current degree. If you are currently on OPT, your I-20 will be issued after your indicated last day of employment.
You will need the following documentation for your Change of Education Level I-20 Request:
- Valid proof of funding
- Copy of current passport
- Copy of most recent I-94
The Change of Education Level I-20 Request must be submitted to the ISSC before your 60 day grace period ends and before the start date of the new semester. If you have not requested and received your change of education level I-20 request by the end of your 60 day grace period, please contact the ISSC for immigration advice.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING: If you are active on Optional Practical Training (OPT) your work authorization will end on the day your Change of Education Level I-20 is issued. You may choose any date up to one week prior to the start of your new degree. The Change of Education Level I-20 eForm must be submitted to the ISSC before the 60 day grace period following your OPT ends.
TRAVEL: Your Change of Education Level I-20 cannot be produced prior to the completion of your current degree. Returning to the U.S. will require that you have your Change of Education Level I-20. You are not guaranteed entry into the U.S. earlier than 30 days before the start of your new program.
ON-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT BETWEEN ACADEMIC LEVELS: To continue on-campus employment at ASU during breaks following the completion of a degree and beginning another degree, you must have the intention to enroll for the next regular semester, and the ISSC must issue a Change of Education Level I-20 first. We recommend that you submit your Change of Education Level I-20 eForm before graduation so that we can issue your new I-20 as soon as your degree completion is posted to your ASU academic record.
Note: If you finalize your degree program at the end of spring and your new degree program will begin in the fall semester, you are eligible to work up to 40 hours a week in the summer once you have obtained your new I-20. If you finalize your degree program at the end of spring and your new degree program will begin in summer, you are limited to working 20 hours a week in the summer. Please review the on-campus employment webpage for more information.
Change of Education Level without Degree Completion
If you change from a Doctoral degree to a Master’s degree or from a Master’s degree to a Doctoral degree without completing the previous degree you will need an updated I-20.
Request your Change of Education Level (CEL) I-20 by submitting the Change of Educational Level eForm via the ISSC eForm Portal. You will need to make sure to select the “Change of education level without degree completion” option when starting the eForm.
Once you have submitted all requested materials, you can expect to receive your updated I-20 within 7 business days. This does not include weekends or ASU observed holidays. During peak seasons, processing times may be more than 7 business days as we deal with a higher volume of requests.
