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The fact that determines whether you need the student visa or can travel on a tourist visa is whether the course offers academic credit.
If the course offers credit toward an academic degree, then you must be on a student visa, no matter how short the course is.
The US State Department states:
A visitor (B) visa permits enrollment in a short recreational course of study, which is not for credit toward a degree or academic certificate. Learn more about Visitor Visas.
Study leading to a U.S. conferred degree or certificate is never permitted on a visitor (B) visa, even if it is for a short duration. For example, a student in a distance learning program that requires a period of time on the institutionβs U.S. campus must obtain a student (F or M) visa prior to entering the United States.