I-20

I am in a difficult situation. I would appreciate any inputs and advice from you. I am a third-year student in an academic progam in a state university, the U.S. The program requires me to complete clerkchips at a university-supervised or approved clerkship site for the degree. (It must be non-paid, and I have to pay tuitions for the clerkships.) My visa status has been changed and I do not have an appropriate visa to remain staying in the U.S. However, this school refuses to issue an I-20 for me because this program does not satisfy either F-1 nor J-1 status. What options are available? I feel hopeless but I do not want to give up my degree. Please help. Any inputs will be appreciated, Thank you

There are lots of J visa options--can you fit the clerkship into one of those?

Thank you for the reply. I would like to clarify that do you mean a J1 visa from other insutitution than this state university? The school said that the program did not satisfy their requirement and refuses to issue any official document. If I got a J-1 from one internship site, but do I have to reapply another J-1 every time I rotate internship sites? It does not make sense to me.....(I have to do multiple rotations....) Thank you for your input and please advice me more on this matter. I greatly appreciate you.

Can I take classes while under a J-1 trainee visa? Even if I get a J-1 visa and be able to do my clerkship, the primary purpose is to finish my degree, and I have to register for the credit. The immigration will notice it. Do you have any thoughts on that?