International Transfer Academic Program (1+1+2 Pathway)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Participants

  Who can join this program?

  Anyone abroad can take online classes, but ITAP is designed for students who will study online for one year and then come to the U.S. on an F-1 visa.

  What is the minimum age to participate?

  There is no official minimum age, but we recommend students be at least 15 years old. They must be 16 and have completed high school to be eligible for an I-20.

  Can students join if they haven’t finished high school yet?

  Yes. Students can join whether they are still in high school or have already graduated. Those under 18 who haven’t graduated must submit a High School Special Admissions Recommendation Form. Students over 18 do not need to show proof of high school graduation.

  Who will be taking these online classes?

  Both international students and American students.

  Would the students be part of a cohort (everyone taking the same classes)?

  Students won’t take the same classes. Students will take classes based on their transfer goals and education plan. They will meet with an academic counselor one-on-one to map out their plan and courses each semester.

  To build a learning community, we will host monthly academic success workshops online. It will support students to develop academic and executive functioning skills to succeed in college and provide a space to get to know other participants.

• Admissions & Enrollment

  1. What are the admissions requirements?

  Applicants must submit the following to be admitted:

  • Application
  • Copy of Passport
  • Evidence of English Proficiency
  • High School Special Admissions Recommendation Form
    
    If not yet graduated from high school and under 18 years of age, must be signed by a parent/legal guardian and a high school principal or counselor.

  2. When can students start the program?

  Students can start in the fall or spring. Summer may also be possible through a separate application.

  3. What are the admissions deadlines for these start time options?

  To provide students enough time with meeting with a counselor, students should plan to apply by our “applicants abroad” deadlines listed below:

  • Fall semester – July 1
  • Spring Semester – December 1
  • Summer Session – April 15

  4. Do students need to complete the online orientation and placement?

  Yes. Students should complete the online orientation, guided self-placement, and education plan to receive priority registration.

  5. How do I register for courses?

  Registration can be done online through InSite from your home country. Priority registration dates and times are listed in InSite under the Registration menu. Students may register for courses until midnight on the first day of classes: August 25, 2025. The last day to add a full-term class online is September 7, 2025. (Important dates can also be found on the Academic Calendar)

  6. By when do I have to pay the tuition?

  Students should pay the tuition for their courses at the time of registration. Students should note that, if they have a balance on their account, a registration hold will be placed on their account. This hold will block them from being able to register for the following semester. Once the tuition has been paid, this hold will be automatically removed from their account.

  7. Will I be allowed to attend the first few classes before deciding whether to continue in or drop a course?

  Yes, you may attend online courses for several classes. You are allowed to drop an online course at no charge as long as you do so by the drop deadline listed on your course schedule. The deadline to drop a full-term course for the Fall 2025 semester is September 5, 2025. If you do not drop by the drop deadline, you will be responsible for paying for the class even if you do not attend.

  Please refer to DVC's Academic Calendar:

  *Short-term class add/drop dates, refund dates and pass/no-pass dates are calculated individually by class based on the specific number of meeting days; therefore, these dates are not included in this calendar. Add/drop and refund dates are printed on the class roster. Check with the instructor. You may also go to InSite > Registration > My Class Schedule for drop and refund dates. The dates are listed under the “Last Date to Drop” column.

  8. What will students need to do to enroll in person at DVC after taking online classes?

  Students should complete the International Transfer Academic Program (Request for I-20 to Study in the U.S.) form.

  This form is for students who have been studying online from abroad through the Online International Transfer Academic Program at Diablo Valley College. If you are now ready to transition to in-person study in the United States, please complete this form up to one year in advance of your intended arrival in the U.S. Review our website Apply for requirements, and upload a bank statement issued within the last 6 months showing a minimum balance of our estimated Academic Year Estimated Costs, along with a financial sponsor form (if you have a financial sponsor). If you will be under 18 at the time of your program starting in the U.S., you will also need to include Evidence of Secondary/High School Graduation, along with a Parent/Guardian Authorization for Minors Form. Once submitted and approved, your Form I-20 will be emailed within 5–7 business days, which you can then use to apply for your F-1 student visa.

• Curriculum

  Do online courses have the same units (credits) as in-person courses?

  Yes.

  Are the units for online courses accepted by 4-year universities and colleges?

  Yes.

  What is the cost of online courses?

  $438 per unit.

  Will the online classes be asynchronous (not taught live; time zone does not matter)?

  Mostly, though each course section will have its own schedule. Students should carefully check the scheduling notes for each course section to determine if a given section of a course includes synchronous instruction. Here is the course schedule search.

  How will students know which online courses have set class meetings when looking at course descriptions?

  • Asynchronous courses (no set class meetings) will have “ONLINE” included in the meeting days/times column, and no days or times will be listed. Also, the comments section will not include references to any required orientations or synchronous class sessions.
  • Synchronous courses (online courses that have set class meetings on specific days using Zoom software and on California/Pacific Standard Time) will list the days and times of instruction OR there will be specific synchronous meeting sessions listed in the comments section.

  Is there a required number of units per semester?

  No, there are no minimum units to take online. Students can take as many or as few units as they choose, depending on their plans.

  Do students have to follow one of the sample academic tracks?

  No. The tracks (Business, Psychology, Economics) are just examples. Each student will create a customized education plan with an academic counselor.

  Can students take more than one year to complete the online portion?

  Yes, students can extend their online studies over two years. They should speak with a counselor to ensure it won’t impact their transfer goals.

  Is this program only for students planning to transfer to a 4-year university?

  No. While the program supports transfer goals, students can also pursue an associate degree or certificate at DVC.

  Will students earn an associate’s degree (AA/AS)?

  It depends on the student's goals. Earning an AA/AS is not required for transfer, but students can pursue it if desired.

  What are the computer operating system requirements for taking online courses?

  Students can use any operating system (PC, Mac, Android, iOS) to take online courses.

  What are other technical requirements for taking online courses?

  It is recommended that students have access to a desktop or laptop with audio and video capability and reliable Internet access. Students may use mobile phones, though they will be expected to type extensively.

  What video software will online courses use?

  All courses will use Zoom. Students should contact course instructors to ask if any social media such as YouTube will be used that may not be accessible in their regions.

  How will students access online courses?

  All online courses will be delivered through the online management system Canvas.

  Do I need to purchase textbooks for online courses?

  Yes, most online courses require the purchase of textbooks. Textbooks can be purchased online from the college’s bookstore or through vendors like Amazon. Some courses require the purchase of an online ‘course pack,’ which includes access to reading, exercises and quiz materials. Students can purchase online textbooks or course packs using a credit card. However, many courses use open online resources and do not require purchase of course materials. Those courses are designated as Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) and can be identified with this logo:    Here is the link to the DVC Book Center.

  How much time per week can students expect to spend outside of class time for an online course?

  Expect to spend 6 to 9 hours weekly (on and offline) for a 3-unit course.

  What other online learning expectations should students be aware of?

  Students should be prepared to actively participate in online courses through frequent interactions with instructors and classmates. This includes contributing to online discussions. Students should carefully review course syllabi.

• Academic Support & Student Life

  Will students be able to meet one-on-one with faculty and seek assistance for academic questions about their classes?

  Faculty usually have office hours each week. Faculty office hours are usually listed in the Canvas course and on the course syllabus. Students are encouraged to set up meetings with faculty to ask questions and receive academic support.

  Is academic tutoring available online?

  Possibly. We’re reviewing available online tutoring options and time zone considerations.

  Is English language support available?

  Yes, students can take online ESL classes if available.

  Would students have education/study plans?

  Yes, students would set up their individual study plans to match their goals.

  Will students meet with academic counselors from DVC during the online portion of the program?

  Yes, students must meet with an academic counselor at least once each semester. The counselors will help students with their education plans and course selection.

  Is there any additional academic support?

  Yes, we will host academic success workshops each month to support students with their online learning.

  Can students in the program join student clubs?

  Only after arriving in the U.S. Online student clubs are not available.