Changing Your Degree

If you're planning to pursue another degree at Emory, you'll need to get a new I-20 or DS-2019 after you're admitted to your new program.

F-1 students

Eligibility

To request a new I-20, you need to:

  • Have maintained your F-1 status
  • Have "D/S" written on your I-94
  • Provide documentation that shows you have sufficient financial support for at least the first year of your new program
  • Provide an admission letter or other proof of admission to your new program
  • Start the program during the next academic semester


Procedure

  1. Log in to ISSS Link and fill out the Change of Program I-20 Request e-form. You'll need to upload copies of:
    1. Admission letter or other proof of admission to your new program
    2. Passport ID page
    3. Most recent I-94
    4. Financial documents showing that you have support for your first academic year. The amount of your financial support should be equal to the estimated total cost of attendance for your academic program. Visit our Financial Requirements & Estimated Expenses page for financial document requirements, the ISSS financial sponsor form template, and the estimated cost of attendance for your new academic program. 
  2. Within 5 business days, your ISSS advisor will process your request or let you know if any other documentation is needed.
  3. We will email you when your new I-20 is ready.

J-1 students

Eligibility

To request a new DS-2019, you need to:

  • Have maintained your J-1 status
  • Have "D/S" written on your I-94
  • Provide documentation that shows you have sufficient financial support for the duration of your new program
  • Provide an admission letter or other proof of admission to your new program
  • Provide proof of your continuing health insurance coverage
  • Start the program during the next academic semester


Procedure

  1. Drop off these documents at the ISSS office in the North Decatur Building:
    1. Copy of your admission letter or other proof of admission to your new program
    2. Copy of your DS-2019 (page 1) and I-94
    3. Financial documents showing that you have support for your first academic year.
    4. Documentation showing your continued health insurance coverage
  2. Within 5 business days, your ISSS advisor will process your request or let you know if any other documentation is needed.
  3. We will email you when your new DS-2019 is ready.


Changes in your program objective

These program changes will be seen as changes in your program objective instead of simply changes in educational level:

  • Changing from non-degree to degree-seeking

  • Changing from degree-seeking to non-degree

  • Reverse matriculation (for example, changing from doctorate to master's degree)

If you want to make one of these changes to your program, you need to apply to change your J-1 category (and pay a non-refundable fee). You'll have to prove to the Department of State that the change is "necessary due to unusual or exceptional circumstances." J-1 category changes are rarely approved.