International Student Services and Multicultural Programs

The Office of International Student Services and Multicultural programs provides resources, services, and programs designed to develop the multicultural and international dimensions of Barry University. IMP provides immigration advising, advocacy, support, and other key resources and services to international students and scholars.

Enrollment Requirement

International students are required to be registered full time: 12 credit hours per semester for undergraduates, 9 credit hours per semester for graduate, and 6 credits for doctoral students. If an international student begins their program of study in the summer, they must be enrolled full time during the summer sessions. At all times, a student must make satisfactory progress toward completion of a degree program.

All international students attending Barry University on an F-l or J-l visa are required to provide the Student Health Services (SHS) with all proper immunization and insurance documentation. Failure to comply with the University health policy may negatively affect the student’s registration process and/or campus housing arrangements. PLEASE SEE THE STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES SECTION FOR MORE INFORMATION.

International and Multicultural Programs also provides advising on any financial, personal, and immigration matters during business hours, Monday thru Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. A mandatory check-in and orientation program for new international students is held prior to registration for Fall and Spring semesters. In accordance with USCIS regulations, students are responsible for bringing the following documents during check-in: endorsed I-20 or DS-2019 form, a valid passport, a valid visa, and a print out of I-94. Failure to submit these documents will subject the student to IS restriction which prevents registration of classes.

Every effort is made to promote student awareness of the benefits available to international students under federal regulations. To provide efficient service, IMP requires all international students to provide up-to-date information regarding changes in personal and/or academic status. These changes may include a new academic program, change in address, financial status, and transfer to another university. In accordance with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations, IMP maintains a complete file on each international student that includes: a copy of an endorsed I-20, passport, visa, I-94 card, and related documents.

Internship Requirement

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS formerly INS) defines “curricular practical training” as employment which is an integral or important part of each student’s curriculum, including: internship, externship, practicum, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with Barry University. All international students must receive employment authorization on the back of their I-20 form specifying permission to engage in curricular practical training (CPT) and must be careful to limit CPT to no more than twenty hours per week. For more information about IMP services refer to our website http://www.barry.edu/international-multicultural/.

Programming Component

IMP seeks to enhance student, faculty, and staff awareness of the perspectives and needs of its diverse community members and to aid the University’s mission of achieving a multicultural living and learning community through collaborative service and the pursuit of social justice. Finally, IMP functions as a crucial liaison among the Barry community, and various local, state, and federal agencies, for and on behalf of Barry’s international student population.

IMP promotes awareness to the Barry Community by sponsoring:

Festival of Nations
Immigration Seminars, IMP forums, workshops, and events
International Assistant Program
International Education Week
Black History Month
Hispanic Heritage Month
Women’s History Month
LGBTQ Awareness

Students should feel free to bring their ideas, concerns, and questions regarding the international and multicultural community to IMP.