Master of Science in Information Technology

Yes, find out more about accreditation on our Accreditation page.

You will need to contact your local County Clerk’s office for specific application requirements. However, at minimum, you will need to take your valid I-20 and a letter from AB stating you are in good standing and currently enrolled at the University. To obtain this letter, please contact the Designated School Official (DSO) at AB.

Anyone who works in the U.S. must have a Social Security card. A Social Security Number (SSN) is issued once per lifetime. If you have requested a card before and lost it, you will not get a new number.

You are only eligible to apply for an SSN if you have a job offer letter and work permission. Please note, F-2 dependents are not eligible for an SSN.

• You must be currently in the U.S. before you can apply for your SSN.
• You must apply with your local SSN office no earlier than 30 days before your start date of employment as recorded on your I-20.
• You need to take your employment letter and I-20 with you to the Social Security Office in order to apply for a card.
• You can find your closest SSN Office by clicking here.

Yes, you can work while you are waiting for your SSN application to be processed.

F-1 students can only drop below full-time enrollment with prior permission from their assigned designated official at AB. A reduced course load request must be submitted in writing and include a detailed justification for the course reduction and medical documentation (if necessary).

From time to time, an F-1 student elects to transfer to another U.S. institution to complete a program of study. SEVIS has a specific process all approved U.S. institutions must follow in order to transfer records within the SEVIS system. Before AB can transfer a student’s records, the following steps must be completed:

1. Apply and be admitted to the new institution.
2. Email a copy of your acceptance letter and new school’s SEVIS transfer form to a designated official at Alderson Broaddus University.
3. Once the request form has been completed and approved we will release your record in SEVIS to the new school.

Office of Executive Degree Programs
Jennifer Propst, Admission Application Processor
101 College Hill Drive, Box 2127
Philippi, WV 26416
Phone: 304.457.6232
Email: wigglesworthjl@ab.edu

Designated School Official 
Saundra Hoxie
101 College Hill Drive
Box 2065
Philippi, WV 26416
Phone: 304.457.6278
Email: hoxiese@ab.edu

If your passport is lost/stolen there are several key reporting steps that must be completed.

Step 1: You must file a police report for a lost or stolen passport. Make sure you make a copy of the report for your records and to present to your consulate office.

Step 2: You must report that your passport has been lost/stolen to the Embassy or Consulate office that issued your visa. When you report the missing document, you want to list your full name, date of birth, place of birth, address in the U.S., and email address. You are also asked to state when and where it was lost/stolen.

Step 3: You cannot replace the passport within the U.S. As a result, when you go home for a break period you will have to apply for a replacement visa. You must take all of the documentation referenced above with you when you apply.

Please note that once you complete these steps, if you find your passport, it will no longer be valid and you still have to replace the document.

An I-901 is a fee that all F and M students and J exchange visitors must pay before the Department of State can issue a visa. Students pay this fee after receiving their Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” at FMJfee.com.

• Regulation requires all prospective F-1 students to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before the U.S. Department of State issues them a visa to study in the United States.
• The I-901 SEVIS Fee is different from the fees for visa services issued by the Department of State.
• F-1 students must pay their I-901 SEVIS Fee in order to study in the United States, to remain compliant and to maintain their student status.
• To pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee, visit FMJfee.com to access the SEVIS Form I-901.
• F-1 students must print their I-901 SEVIS Fee payment receipt to present as proof of payment at their visa interview and to enter the United States at a U.S. port of entry. Showing an email notification alone will not be sufficient.
• The SEVIS ID on the payment confirmation receipt must always match the SEVIS ID on the student’s most current Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” unless the F or M student is considered a border commuter student. If the SEVIS ID is different, please email FMJfee.sevis@ice.dhs.gov to confirm if a new I901 Fee payment is required.

Please visit the tutorial provided by Study in the States for assistance.

All F-1 international students are required to file tax forms with the United States federal government. You must file taxes regardless if you worked in the U.S., earned income in the U.S., or received a scholarship. International Services does not have tax experts and therefore cannot, by law, answer specific tax questions or help you prepare your tax forms. If you are not familiar with how to file taxes, we recommend students seek expert advice from an accountant or other tax professional. The deadline to file taxes in the U.S. is April 15.

Steps to Consider to Complete Tax Forms

Step 1: Collect Tax Documents: These documents may have come from an employer or the university.

Step 2: File Tax Paperwork by April 15:  There are several tax professionals available for international students to consider. AB does not endorse one specific program.

Commonly Used Tax Forms

• 1040Z: Income Tax Return
• Form 8843: Statement for Exempt Individuals (This form is required even if you don’t file taxes.)
• Taxpayer Identification Number:  Students without a Social Security Number
• Form 4868: Application for Extension of Time to File Taxes
• W-9S: Students without a Social Security Number need to fill out the W-9S form in order to receive a 1098T.

New Student Orientation is a critical and required component of your transition to Alderson Broaddus University Graduate Programs. Immigration regulations require F-1 students to report to Alderson Broaddus University after they have arrived in the United States. Students transferring to AB from another institution must also report. A hold will remain active on your student account until all check-in and orientation sessions have been completed.

What to bring:

• Current Passport
• Copy of Social Security Card (if applicable)
• Copy of Visa
• Copy of I-94 (if applicable)

Required paperwork you will complete and return during orientation:

• W-9S for Tax Purposes
• Student Financial Responsibility Agreement
• Headshot photo with a neutral background (If you’re interested in receiving an AB student ID)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides a great resource about all things in relation to F1 students at Student in the States: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov.

If you are not able to finish your degree program by the end date noted on your I-20, you can request an extension of your program. The length of time allowed for an extension is based on course completion and the recommendation of your academic advisor.

An extension of your I-20 must be completed before the program end date indicated on your I-20. If your I-20 expires while you are still a student, you will be considered in violation of your status. Note that students are only eligible for two program extensions.

To request a program extension, send a written request for an extension including an explanation of the need for a program extension. Requests should be submitted in the SELF SERVICE CENTER.

Undergraduate to Graduate
If you need an extension because you are changing academic levels from an undergraduate to a graduate program, you must complete an I-20 Request form, providing required financial documentation to request a new I-20 with the change to Graduate Level.

This process requires traveling out of the U.S., applying for a visa, and paying the SEVIS Fee. Since traveling requires visiting a U.S. consulate outside the U.S. to obtain the new visa stamp, the length of time is dependent on how long that process will take. Due to delays, long processing times and security checks, we recommend talking with a Designated School Official (DSO) before choosing this option.

Your re-entry date to the U.S. can be up to 30 days prior to the program start date on your I-20. If your re-entry date is delayed, it could jeopardize your enrollment for the planned term.

A person’s nonimmigrant status must match the purpose of his/her stay in the U.S. A change of status may be necessary when the objectives of the visit have changed.

Changing nonimmigrant status can be a complex and time-consuming process. The timing of the change is critical and must be done with care to avoid falling out of status during the transition. Before pursuing a change of status, it is recommended that you discuss your situation with a Designated School Official (DSO).

There are two ways to change nonimmigrant status:

1. Travel outside the U.S. and re-enter in the new status, or
2. Remain in the U.S. and request a change of status by application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

To learn more about the Change of Status Process review resources provided by DHS on Study in the States: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/change-of-status

**The above information is to be used as a general reference only. Alderson Broaddus University does not issue change of status I-20’s. If you have questions regarding this information please contact the Admission Application Processor in the Office of Executive Degree Programs. **

You will need your I-20 with a travel signature on page two that is within six months of your return date. Additional information regarding travel can be found here.

Residency Sessions are required each semester and are determined by the requirements of specific courses within the Information Technology Administration program. Residency weekend sessions are mandatory for international students, and the student must attend all three-days of the residency session to receive credit and fulfill immigration in-seat class components to retain F-1 status. As such, requests to arrive late or leave early will not be approved; no exceptions will be allowed. If a student cannot be in attendance for all three days, they will be counted absent for the entire residency and will be required to attend the make-up residency and pay the $300 make-up fee.

More information about residency can be found under the POLICIES AND PROCEDURES SPECIFIC TO THE EXECUTIVE PROGRAMS.

Residency sessions are held during the Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters. Students will receive information about residency dates a month in advance of residency in order to make travel arrangements.

Yes, please visit https://ab.edu/residence-life/ for more information about housing.

Please visit https://ab.edu/transcript/ for information about transcript requests.

Please contact the IT department by emailing abit@ab.edu.

Program Offered in Executive Format Option

• Master of Science in Information Technology Administration (MSITA)

Residency Requirement

NOTE: During the 2021-2022 academic year, the Information Technology Administration program will deliver instruction during the scheduled Residency Sessions virtually. Faculty will deliver instruction in an online classroom and students are required to participate in real-time with one another to complete individual and group assignments. This practice will be in place for the fall 2021 semester, spring 2022 semester, and summer 2022 semester, allowing students to participate remotely. Student attendance and engagement during the synchronous instruction will be monitored and sessions may be recorded.

Residency weekend sessions are mandatory. A student must attend all three days (3) of the residency session to receive credit and fulfill the immigration in-seat class component to retain F-1 Status. As such, requests to arrive late or leave early will not be approved. Absolutely no exceptions allowed.

Attendance Policy

Attendance to each residency class session is mandatory. Students may make up no more than one (1) residency session throughout the duration of their academic program. Missing a second residency results in the student being dismissed from the academic program and for F1 students, SEVIS record (I-20) terminated. There are no exceptions to this policy.

Physical Attendance Records

As referenced in prior policy statements, any student enrolled in the Executive program must attend their assigned Residency Session as a component of their course enrollment. Due to course structure in the Executive program, a student cannot be successful in their residency courses without full physical attendance at the entire assigned residence each semester. Please use the catalog attendance statements, course syllabus, and personal travel receipts for any documentation needed regarding physical attendance at assigned residencies.

For international students gathering “Request for Evidence” (RFE) documentation regarding Physical Attendance Records, please use the policy statements above, university transcripts demonstrating successful course completion, course syllabi, and personal travel receipts to verify physical course attendance. The aforementioned university specific documentation represents what the university can provide related to physical attendance records.

Application of Learning

The Information Technology Administration executive program requires an applied learning component (internship/practicum) that is an integral (essential) part of the established curriculum. The program requires the student to take part in an internship that is offered by the sponsoring employer through a cooperative agreement with the University.

Additionally, due to the advanced nature of these programs, students are required to participate immediately in an internship/practicum.

Regulation Related to International Students

“An F-1 student may be authorized by the Designed School Official (DSO) to participate in a curricular practical training (CPT) program that is an integral part of an established curriculum. Curricular practical training is defined to be alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.”

Source: 2002 Final SEVIS Rule: 67 Fed. Reg. 76256 (December 11, 2002), amending 8 CFR 214.2(f) (10) (i)

Students who have received one year or more of full-time practical training are ineligible for post-completion academic training. Exceptions to the one academic year requirement are provided for students enrolled in graduate studies that require immediate participation in practical training. A request for authorization for practical training must be made to the DSO. A student may begin practical training only after receiving his or her Form I–20 with the DSO endorsement.