enables students to be more valuable contributors upon returning to the classroom; they gain self-confidence and become more involved in the educational process. Full-time employment is of significant financial benefit to the student and is valuable in adding to the student's credentials for employment. Upon graduation, the co-op student has a decided edge in competing for professional positions.
The University believes that supervised work experience is no 1th college credit; therefore, upon successful completion of each semester of work experience, semester credit hours are awarded. Cooperative education courses will not be substituted for mandatory classes in the student's major.
The Cooperative Education Pr ogram seeks to meet the needs of students in most academic disciplines offered at Kentucky State University. Therefore, the program is offered to all students after the completion of one full academic year of coursework (30 semester credit hours minimum). Participating students are expected to be in good standing with the University and have a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or better. Students may earn no more than twelve (12) semester credit hours in Cooperative Education courses (including both associate and baccalaureate degrees) during their tenure at KSU. In order to register for Cooperative Education credit, students must submit an application to the Office of Cooperative Education in advance of the term (summer session/semester) during which they wish to co-op.
It is recommended that each student take the time to visit the Cooperative Education Office and meet with staff to discuss available opportunities.
A student may take a course as an Independent Study if special circumstances warrant. A student will be allowed to pursue an Independent Study only with a proven record of academic achievement. An independent Study shall be used only in cases of unavoidable course conflict.
Recent changes in Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services—CIS (formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service—INS) regulations will impact foreign students' enrollment and responsibilities in the United States. It is very important that each international student stay informed of these changes to avoid jeopardizing his/her immigration status. The changes, sanctioned by the US Congress, have come in the wake of the September 11, 2001, acts of terrorism, and are meant to help ensure America's security.
The CIS has created an Inte rnet-based system to maintain current information on international students, exchange visitors, and their dependents (i.e., all those in For J status). The system is called SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). SEVIS will track F and J via holders from the time they receive their immigration docum ents (I-20 or DS-2019) until they complete their programs, and will require the receiving institution to report students and scholars to the CIS who fail to maintain lawful status.
exchange visitors, and their dependents (i.e., all those in For J status). The sy stem is called SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). SEVIS will track F and J via holders from the time they receive the irr immigration docum ents (I-20 or DS-2019) until they complete their programs, and will require the receiving institution to report students and scholars to the CIS who fail to maintain lawful status.
Under the proposed regulations, even minor status violations (e.g., failing to inform CIS of change of major, or failure to process a timely transfer) could result in loss of employment authorization eligibility, the opportunity to return to the US after a visit abroad, or even possible deportation. In order to keep students informed of these important changes, the Office of Global Education & Programs will conduct information sessions each semester or a s deemed necessary, as well as provide up-to-date information concerning the new regulations on the Global Education Web page—via “Academic Support Services.” In addition to issuing I-20s and maintaining an institution’s authorization, schools are required to report the enrollment of any F-1 or M-1 nonimmigrant every semester, term, or session. A lso, the University must report in SEVIS current students that fail to enroll, maintain status, or complete their program.
Schools are currently required to maintain records of the student’s name, date and place of birth, country of citizenship, a address, status, date of commencement of studies, degree program and field of study, practical training, termination date and reason, documents related to the student’s admission, the number of credits completed per semester, and a copy of the I-20. All this information now resides in SEVIS rather than solely as hard files at each school; therefore, CIS should never need to contact a school for access to these records. SEVIS will track the issuance of I-20s, extensions, transfers, authorized employment, and reduced course loads.
Kentucky State University offers opportunities for foreign study to qualified students. Students may take advantage of pr ograms allowing them to p ursue their major at prestigious universities in other countries. As a member of the Cooperative Center for Study A broad and the Kentucky Institute for International Studies, the University offers various study-abroad opportunities, including a summer term, a full semester—fall/spring, and a two-week (Decem ber-January) term. Mo st study-abroad courses available through CCSA or KIIS are part of the University's Liberal Studies requirements, and academic credits will generally transfer to KSU. Opportunities for study abroad are available in several locations, including Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Cen-