The popularity of massive open online courses (MOOCs) is on the rise for students around the world. The U.S. Department of State recently announced a new MOOC Camp initiative and a partnership with Coursera, a MOOC provider. Many colleges and universities in the United States offer MOOCs as course options for students. MOOCs are different from traditional courses in significant ways:

• Are taught exclusively online
• Have high enrollments (perhaps hundreds or thousands of students)
• Have little one-on-one involvement with professors

As an F or M student, it is important for you to know and understand regulations you must follow to maintain your student status. Here is what you need to know:

• For F and M students, regulations impose limits on online or distance education courses that do not have a physical presence requirement. A physical presence requirement means you must report regularly and in-person to school officials during that course.
• An F student may count only one distance education course (or three credit hours) toward a full course of study in each academic term if that course has no physical presence requirement.
• An M student may not count any online or distance education courses towards a full course of study if that course has no physical presence requirement.
• An English language program student may not count any online or distance education towards a full course of study if that course has no physical presence requirement.

If you have any questions about maintaining your status or online and distance learning, talk to your designated school official before you enroll.