Undergraduate

International undergraduate students on campus

Start your degree in the United States at Wayland.

  • Support for international applicants
  • English proficiency guidance
  • Pathways to academic success

Begin your undergraduate journey in a welcoming, Christ-centered environment designed to help international students thrive.

Graduate

International graduate students at Wayland

Advance your education and career globally.

  • Flexible graduate programs
  • Career-focused degrees
  • International student support services

Pursue your graduate degree at Wayland and prepare for leadership, service, and career advancement in a global context.

Ìý

F-1 Basics

Once you arrive at Wayland Baptist University, it is important to maintain your F-1 status and stay informed about key requirements for studying in the United States. These basics can help you stay on track during your time at Wayland.

F-1 students are generally required to maintain full-time enrollment each semester. Be sure to speak with your academic advisor and international support staff before making changes to your course schedule.

Your Form I-20 should always reflect your current program information. Notify the appropriate university office if you change majors, extend your program, transfer schools, or update important personal information.

Your passport should remain valid at all times. Many students are advised to keep at least six months of validity remaining on their passport whenever possible.

Employment in the U.S. is regulated for F-1 students. Do not begin any on-campus or off-campus work without first confirming that it is permitted and properly authorized.

Before international travel, make sure your travel documents are in order. This may include a valid passport, visa, and a current travel signature on your I-20.

F-1 students may have limited grace periods before or after certain academic milestones. Understanding these timelines can help you plan for travel, graduation, transfer, or next steps after completing your program.

Ìý

Student Stories

Hear from Wayland International Students

Listen to students share their experience finding community, support, and purpose at Wayland Baptist University.

A Welcoming Community

See how international students find connection and belonging at Wayland.

Life at Wayland

Hear what makes the Wayland experience meaningful for students from around the world.

Ìý

F-1 Student Requirements

Full-Time Enrollment and I-20 Status

F-1 international students must meet full-time enrollment requirements and remain enrolled each required term to maintain I-20 and SEVIS compliance.

Undergraduate Students

Minimum 12 credit hours Per long semester: August–December and January–May
  • Students may take all 16-week classes, a combination of 16-week and 8-week terms, or all 8-week terms.
  • Students must be enrolled in every required term. No skipped terms.
  • At least 9 credit hours must be face-to-face. Hybrid courses are acceptable.
  • Only 3 online credit hours count toward the 12-hour minimum.
  • Students may take more than one online class, but additional online courses must be above the minimum full-time requirement.

Graduate Students

Minimum 6 credit hours Per long semester: August–December and January–May
  • Students may take all 16-week classes, a combination of 16-week and 8-week terms, or all 8-week terms.
  • Students must be enrolled in every required term. No skipped terms.
  • At least 3 credit hours must be face-to-face. Hybrid courses are acceptable.
  • Only 3 online credit hours count toward the 6-hour minimum.
  • Students may take more than one online class, but additional online courses must be above the minimum full-time requirement.

Final Term and Authorized Vacation Notes

In a student’s final term, they may request a Reduced Course Load if they have fewer than the required full-time hours left to graduate, or if they cannot find the required number of face-to-face hours.

Important: A student cannot take all online classes during their final term. At least one class must be face-to-face or hybrid.

Students who begin in the spring term are required to attend summer classes that year before becoming eligible for an authorized summer vacation. Wayland Baptist University considers an academic year to be 32 weeks of consecutive attendance.

Ìý

Let’s Connect

Plainview

1900 W. 7th
Plainview, TX 79072

Ìý