Off Campus Employment

Optional Practical training for F1 students
Optional Practical Training (OPT) offers international students the opportunity to obtain work experience in their fields of study. This type of practical training is available during the following times: during the student's annual vacation and at other times when school is not in session; while school is in session, provided OPT does not exceed 20 hours per week; after completion of all course requirements for a degree (excluding thesis or the equivalent); or after completion of study in which OPT must begin at least 60 days after completion or graduation. Students are eligible to work up to 40 hours per week if they are working on their thesis and/or after they have completed their studies.

For immigration purposes, an international graduate student's date of graduation is considered the date they submit their thesis to the graduate school after they have already defended and made corrections.

Authorization for OPT is granted by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS); therefore, it is essential for the student to allow approximately 90 days for materials to be processed. Once authorization is granted by the INS, the student will be issued an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The EAD card looks like a driver's license. It has the student's picture, dates he/she is eligible to work, and the student's signature.

Included in the application packet is a form called the Degree Program Verification Form that must be signed by the student's adviser in order to process the student's request for OPT.

Students are encouraged to attend one of the Practical Training seminars offered throughout the year in order to process their OPT application and have their questions answered. If they are unable to attend a seminar, then they must make an appointment with an adviser in the OIP. Applications for OPT are available at the seminars and in the OIP.

Download OPT Application

Curricular Practical Training for F1 Students
Practical Training is a type of employment authorization granted by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) for F-1 students that would like to attain practical work experience in their field of study.

Several Practical Training seminars are presented throughout the year to assist students in taking advantage of this practical training opportunity. The seminars are approximately one hour and cover the procedures of how to apply for the two types of Practical Training: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and Optional Practical Training (OPT). Students are encouraged to attend one of the seminars in which they can have their questions answered. If students are unable to attend the seminar then they must make an appointment with an adviser in the OIP.

Download CPT Application

Academic Training for J1 Students
International students in the J-1 immigration status are eligible for study-related employment under Academic Training. J-1 students normally are able to be authorized for 18 months for this type of employment. Doctoral degree students, however, are able to receive 36 months if they have a postdoctoral position. Before beginning employment, a J-1 student must obtain work authorization in advance from the designated "responsible officer." A responsible officer is a person on-campus designated to handle the J-1 exchange visitor program.

To obtain authorization, a J-1 student must submit to the responsible officer a job offer related to the student's field of study and a completed Application for Academic Training form. This form is available in the Office of International Programs, Ceres 338.

A J-1 student is eligible for academic training during vacation periods, upon completion of all coursework except for the thesis, when the student is done with the degree program, or at other times during the student's degree program under certain circumstances and only when specific criteria have been met.

Please note that some J-1 students are not eligible for academic training due to the terms of their sponsorship. Any student unsure of the requirements established by their sponsoring agency should make an appointment with a responsible officer in the Office of International Programs.

Economic Hardship
In some instances, students in the F-1 immigration status are able to apply for off-campus work based on severe economic hardship. To be eligible, students must be able to demonstrate economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances. For example, death of a student's sponsor, the devaluation of the country's currency or a substantial unexpected increase in tuition. Students must also provide evidence that they are in good academic standing, are maintaining their immigration status by being registered as full-time students and have been in F-1 immigration status for at least one academic year. Proof must also be shown that on-campus employment is either not available or inadequate to meet the student's needs.

Severe economic hardship applications are determined by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. If the application is approved, the INS issues an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) to the student. Students are limited to working 20 hours per week during the academic year on economic hardship. During summers and school vacations, students are able to work 40 hours per week.

F-1 students interested in this employment option will need to make an appointment with an International Student Adviser at the Office of International Programs.