CPTDog is excited to announce the addition of a new partner school to its list: the University of the Potomac.
University of the Potomac: Accreditation, Location and Offerings
Accreditation
The University of the Potomac is accredited by the Middle State Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). It is the same accreditation as John Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon,UPenn, Columbia University.
Location and On-Site Campuses
It has two campuses located in Washington, D.C. and Falls Church, VA.
They are 20 mins away from each other by driving. Based on the design of their programs, most students will have the opportunities to attend both campuses for their on-site classes throughout their study at the Potomac.
Programs and Offerings
The University of the Potomac currently has 8 master’s degree programs and 3 doctoral level programs that can recruit F1 international students, three of which are STEM programs.
Master’s programs usually can be finished in 2 years, while doctoral programs can last as long as 4 years which provides students with at least 4 more chances for entering the H1B lottery.
Non-STEM Master’s degree:
- MBA - Master of Business Administration
- MSAC - Master of Science in Accounting
- MSEd - Master of Science in Education
- MHA - Master of Science in Health Administration
STEM Master’s Degree:
- MSCS - Master of Science in Computer Science
- MSDA - Master of Science in Data Analytics
- MSIT - Master of Science in Information Technology
- MSGIT - Master of Science in Geospatial Information Technology
Doctoral Level Degree:
- DBA - Doctoral of Business Administration
- DCS - Doctoral of Computer Science
- EdD - Doctoral of Education
Using CPT at University of the Potomac
All programs mentioned at the University of the Potomac offer students the option to start using CPT at the beginning of their program. These programs are designed to integrate real-life work experience with academic advancement.
If you choose to use CPT, you will need to renew your CPT authorization with your DSO each semester. After completing two semesters, you can take the next one off while still enrolling in the CPT course. This arrangement provides students with ample time to gain internship experience and balance work and study.
Compared to other schools offering similar programs, the University of the Potomac has a relatively higher on-site frequency. Students are required to attend on-site classes biweekly. However, most on-site classes are scheduled during the weekend, making it manageable even if you do not live in DC.
As a fast-growing member of the higher education community, the University of the Potomac was very cautious and prudent when designing their programs. They ensure that F1 students can benefit from CPT without facing scrutiny from USCIS regarding F1 status maintenance issues.
The professors and administrative support at this university are extremely supportive, dedicated to providing international students with assistance around the clock. For CPT approval, the process typically takes 1 to 2 weeks, with most cases being processed within 1 week.
Tuition & Pay Domestic Student Rate
Although the master’s program may seem expensive, there is a hidden gem. As long as your GPA is above 3.0, you will qualify for their scholarship. This is a relatively low bar, especially since most students wishing to use CPT must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. In other words, you can focus on the cost after the scholarship, which brings the total tuition for the entire master’s program to $22,250. With a study length of two years, your monthly payment would be around $900, which is on the lower end of the CPT school tuition spectrum.
Even more exciting is their doctoral-level CPT program. The University of the Potomac offers one of the cheapest doctoral CPT programs, even less expensive than the University of the Cumberlands. With total tuition for the entire doctoral program being $35,520, the monthly payment would be around $740, even cheaper than the master’s program.
Another noteworthy point is the University of the Potomac's high retention rate among schools offering similar programs.
In the realm of Day 1 CPT and universities that provide such programs, many students, though grateful for the work-integrated offerings, often drop out mid-program if selected for H1B due to work-life balance challenges.
Switch to Fully Online and Pay Domestic Rate
A common path for international students who are unable to secure an H1B is to enroll in a Day 1 CPT university, study while interning, gain work experience, build a network, and seek H1B sponsorship. With the help of these programs, students often find suitable employers to sponsor their H1B mid-program. While on CPT, they can only be interns. However, once selected for H1B, they must show more commitment to their employer, which means a heavier workload. At this point, they must decide if they can handle a full-time job while continuing their studies.
At the University of the Potomac, you don’t have to face this "Sophie's choice" situation. Once you secure an H1B, the university will treat you like a domestic student. You will only pay the domestic tuition rate from that point forward, and you can choose to finish your degree by taking 100% online courses. This flexibility makes it much easier to balance work and study commitments.
How to Apply & When to Apply
The easiest way is to contact CPTDog (by filling a simple form down below). Our consultants can guide you step-by-step and, of course, automatically waive your application fee.
If you prefer to do it yourself, you can find a guide and a list of required documents here. However, I still encourage you to contact us first to get the application fee waiver code.
Conclusion
The University of the Potomac may not be as famous as some other schools in the region, such as Trine University, but it is a rising star. It offers a wide range of programs, affordable tuition, and minimal additional fees once enrolled. The only downside is its relatively higher on-site requirement.
In the wake of the pandemic, USCIS has tightened enforcement of F1 status maintenance. Recent incidents, such as a University of the Cumberlands student being stopped at the border due to low on-site requirements, have highlighted the importance of staying compliant. CPTDog urges students to prioritize a sustainable immigration journey by adhering to these requirements.
While emphasizing on-site engagement can help students build stronger relationships with faculty and ensure the legitimacy of their F1 visa status, it may limit those who live far from D.C. from choosing this school.
Overall, the University of the Potomac is ideal for those who live near D.C., seek lower tuition fees, and are cautious about their immigration status.
If you don't fit this description, don't worry. CPTDog has other options. We are constantly seeking schools that care about international students' study experiences and legal and immigration statuses. We have a comprehensive list of universities across the United States that offer CPT programs. Book a free consultation and let our Day 1 CPT experts provide you with a personalized school list today!
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