Brandeis International Business School

Plans for Fall 2021 at Brandeis International Business School

The Fall 2021 semester at Brandeis International Business School will mark an important milestone in our much-anticipated return to campus.

Beginning on Thursday, August 26, the International Business School will welcome all students back to campus for in-person learning and to contribute to the on-campus community. In-person activities like student clubs, performances and celebrations will resume in the fall as well. All on-campus classes and activities will be conducted in accordance with the latest public health guidance.

In addition to in-person classes, a mix of hybrid and remote options will be available in each academic program. We remain committed to working with and addressing the needs of students who have medical constraints or are experiencing difficulty obtaining visas.

Below you will find a helpful list of frequently asked questions. This page will be updated regularly to reflect the latest information available.

Sincerely,
KatyKathryn Graddy
Dean
Fred and Rita Richman Distinguished Professor in Economics

Frequently Asked Questions

Prospective and Incoming Students

How will classes be presented in the fall?

The International Business School will offer a variety of course formats during the fall semester, including a robust, safe, in-person experience. We are excited to welcome all students back to campus for in-person learning and to contribute to the on-campus community. All on-campus activities will be conducted in accordance with the latest public health guidance.

In addition to in-person classes, a mix of hybrid and remote options will be available for a wide selection of courses in each academic program. We are committed to working with and addressing the needs of students who have medical constraints or are experiencing difficulty obtaining visas.

Do I need to get vaccinated?

To support our robust plans for the Fall 2021 semester, and similarly to many other colleges and universities across the country, Brandeis University will require all new and returning students coming to campus to be fully vaccinated. Limited exemptions to this policy will be granted for medical or religious reasons.

Brandeis will continue to offer on-campus vaccination at the start of the fall semester for students who are unable to obtain an FDA-authorized vaccine prior to the beginning of the semester. However, the easiest way to ensure that you return to campus fully vaccinated in the fall is to leave campus fully vaccinated in the spring by receiving a vaccination at one of our upcoming clinics.

We realize international students may have received vaccines that are different from those currently approved in the U.S. Brandeis and U.S. public health experts are still considering how such vaccinations should be treated. We will offer additional guidance as we get closer to the start of the semester.

For additional details, please see Brandeis University’s campus update about the Student Vaccination Requirement.

What will the curriculum look like for each degree program?

Our usual course offerings will be available in the fall, although not all courses will be offered in all formats (in-person, hybrid and remote). To the extent possible, courses with multiple sections will be offered in more than one format. 

What will the student experience look like in the fall?

Activities like student clubs, performances and celebrations will resume in-person during the fall semester, providing the usual opportunities for making social connections and enjoying student life outside the classroom. All on-campus activities will be conducted in accordance with the latest public health guidance. In addition to in-person activities, virtual programming will also continue at the International Business School. The Office of Academic Affairs and Student Experience and the Career Strategies and Engagement Center will offer students robust academic and career support services both virtually and in person throughout the fall semester.

Can I visit the Admissions Office at this time?

We regret that we cannot currently welcome prospective students to our Admissions Office. We encourage you to connect with our Admissions team and Student Ambassadors in a one-on-one virtual meeting or an upcoming webinar until we can welcome visitors to campus again.

Can I study part-time in the fall?

Yes. Students can take up to nine credits as a part-time student. These credits will be applied toward your degree. Part-time students have full access to university resources including advising, career coaching, club membership and events, speaker series, library services and databases. For international students with questions about visa, CPT and OPT eligibility, please speak with your ISSO advisor for the most current guidance.

How will COVID-19 affect the visa process?

We encourage students to begin the visa application process as soon as they submit their Enrollment Form and deposit. Doing so allows international students to begin the Visa Information/Declaration of Finance (VIDOF) process, which is necessary to generate an I-20. Please be aware that there are parts of the world in which consulates may be closed or may not be offering visa services at this time, and we anticipate students may encounter delays in visa processing. We recommend students complete the VIDOF process as soon as they are able so that when consulates re-open, they are prepared. If students are currently attending a U.S. school and have F-1 status, they should be able to transfer their visa sponsorship from their current school to Brandeis. If students are currently attending a U.S. school and have a different immigration status, we encourage you to contact the International Students and Scholars Office at isso@brandeis.edu to discuss the options.

How will COVID-19 affect the process of securing housing?

We encourage students to secure housing by August 1 or August 15 given that classes begin on August 26. We encourage students and housing partners to clearly communicate payment agreements as it relates to securing housing arrangements and flexibility around move-in dates.

If you have questions about your off-campus housing search, please contact Steven Weglinski at weglinski@brandeis.edu.

I am an International Student. Will I be eligible for CPT during my program?

The most up-to-date information can be found on the International Students and Scholars Office’s COVID-19 FAQ webpage. We encourage students to reach out to their ISSO advisors to ask questions specific to their case.

Can I start my degree online from outside of the United States?

Yes, if students are unable to arrive for on-campus study, they can begin their program online outside of the United States during the fall semester. For international students with questions about visa, CPT and OPT eligibility, please speak with your ISSO advisor for the most current guidance.

Do I need to secure health insurance?

All students must enroll in the qualifying School Health Plan (SHP) or waive the plan and report their own comparable health insurance coverage each year, as required by Massachusetts regulations.

All international students who will be in the U.S. will be automatically enrolled in the qualifying school plan. International students who will not be in the U.S. in the fall will not be required to secure health insurance, but will need to submit the required insurance waiver.

Questions about the plan can be directed to UHP at info@universityhealthplans.com.

Current Students

How will classes be presented in the fall?

The International Business School will offer a variety of course formats during the fall semester, including a robust, safe, in-person experience. We are excited to welcome all students back to campus for in-person learning and to contribute to the on-campus community. All on-campus activities will be conducted in accordance with the latest public health guidance. 

In addition to in-person classes, a mix of hybrid and remote options will be available for a wide selection of courses in each academic program. We are committed to working with and addressing the needs of students who have medical constraints or are experiencing difficulty obtaining visas.

Do I need to get vaccinated?

To support our robust plans for the Fall 2021 semester, and similarly to many other colleges and universities across the country, Brandeis University will require all new and returning students coming to campus to be fully vaccinated. Limited exemptions to this policy will be granted for medical or religious reasons.

Brandeis will continue to offer on-campus vaccination at the start of the fall semester for students who are unable to obtain an FDA-authorized vaccine prior to the beginning of the semester. However, the easiest way to ensure that you return to campus fully vaccinated in the fall is to leave campus fully vaccinated in the spring by receiving a vaccination at one of our upcoming clinics.

We realize international students may have received vaccines that are different from those currently approved in the U.S. Brandeis and U.S. public health experts are still considering how such vaccinations should be treated. We will offer additional guidance as we get closer to the start of the semester.

For additional details, please see Brandeis University’s campus update about the Student Vaccination Requirement.

What will the curriculum look like for each degree program?

Our usual course offerings will be available in the fall, although not all courses will be offered in all formats (in-person, hybrid and remote). To the extent possible, courses with multiple sections will be offered in more than one format.

What will the student experience look like in the fall?

Activities like student clubs, performances and celebrations will resume in-person during the fall semester, providing the usual opportunities for making social connections and enjoying student life outside the classroom. All on-campus activities will be conducted in accordance with the latest public health guidance. In addition to in-person activities, virtual programming will also continue at the International Business School. The Office of Academic Affairs and Student Experience and the Career Strategies and Engagement Center will offer students robust academic and career support services both virtually and in person throughout the fall semester.

Can I study part-time in the fall?

Yes. Students can switch their status to part-time. For international students, switching to a part-time status could have an impact on their visa status and CPT and OPT eligibility. Students should speak with their ISSO advisor to discuss their academic plans.

I am an international student. Will I still be eligible for CPT or OPT?

The most up-to-date information can be found on the International Students and Scholars Office’s COVID-19 FAQ webpage. Students may also reach out to their ISSO advisor to ask questions specific to their case.

Can I complete my degree online outside of the United States?

Yes. You can complete your courses from abroad, study remotely only and receive your diploma without returning to the United States. For international students with questions about visa, CPT and OPT eligibility, please speak with your ISSO advisor for the most current guidance.

Can I take a leave of absence?

Students may request a leave of absence for up to one year by submitting this form by the first day of classes (August 26). If you have a scholarship, the scholarship will still apply when you return within the one-year period. Details on leave of absences can be found in the Provisional University Bulletin. For international students, a leave of absence could have an impact on their visa status and CPT and OPT eligibility. Students should speak with their ISSO advisor for more information.

Can I extend my program by adding a second degree?

All current students may apply to one of our dual degree programs. Upon graduation, dual degree students will receive two degrees after completing fewer credits than if the degrees were completed separately. Your graduation date will be extended to allow time to complete the dual degree. Our current dual degree programs are MBA/MSBA, MBA/MSF and MA/MSBA.