Academic Training

Enroll for and complete a full-time study course load (12 credits for undergraduate students, 9 credits for graduate students, 6 credits for students in the Artist’s Diploma and Performer’s Certificate programs) every fall and spring semester.

Undergraduate students: You are required to enroll in at least 9 credits in person (face-to-face or hybrid) each semester.

Graduate students: You are required to enroll in at least 6 credits in person (face-to-face or hybrid) each semester.

You must always have at least one in-person class (face-to-face or hybrid) in your final semester, even if it’s during the summer term!

You are eligible for academic training if all of the following criteria are met:

• You are in the U.S. primarily for study in a full-time academic program.
• You are in good academic standing at your educational institution.
• You must apply before the completion of your academic program.
• You are participating in academic training that is directly related to your major field of study.
• Your employment/training must take place with the specific employer or employers who are noted on the academic training authorization letter.
• You must receive an authorization letter, in advance, for the duration and type of academic training, from the Office of Global Engagement office. This authorization must be processed before the end date on the Form DS-2019 or before the official date of the degree program completion, whichever comes first.
• You have a valid Form DS-2019 that enables you to remain in the U.S. in J-1 student status. You must apply for extensions as needed and in a timely manner.
• You must maintain health insurance coverage for yourself and any dependents. Your coverage must meet the minimum requirements set by the Department of State.

• Students who complete a degree program are permitted an overall academic training period of 18 months. This includes all academic training, whether before or after completion of studies.
• The total employment period may not exceed the amount of time spent in the full course of study. For example, if you are a master’s student who completed a program in 12 months, you are only eligible for 12 months of academic training. Doctoral students may be granted a total of 36 months of academic training in periods of 18 months or less.
• Completing more than one degree program at the same time does not increase your academic training period.
• Any pre-completion academic training period is deducted from your total allowable academic training period when calculating post-completion academic training.
• A period spent in part-time employment under academic training will count as full-time academic training and will be deducted from the 18 or 36 months of post-completion academic training.

Students can apply for academic training before or after they complete his studies:

Pre-completion academic training 

• Students apply for pre-completion academic training before they finish their academic program.
• It can be paid or unpaid.
• Students must maintain full-time enrollment during the spring and fall semesters.
• Part-time academic training is counted as full-time.

Any amount of time of pre-completion academic training will be deducted from the overall allotment.

Post-completion academic training 

• Employment after your program completion must be for wages or another type of remuneration. If the proposed employment is unpaid, you must show that you are supported by other sources, like your home government.
• Employment must start within 30 days of your program completion date.

To apply for academic training you must:

• Have a formal employment offer, written on official stationery (letterhead) from your potential academic training employer. The job offer letter from your employer must include:
  • Your job title
  • A brief description of the goals and objectives of your training or employment
  • Dates and location of training or employment
  • Number of hours per week, salary, and benefits
  • Name and title of your training supervisor

• Obtain a letter of recommendation from your academic advisor or dean recommending this academic training. You will need to provide him/her with a copy of your employment offer letter. The recommendation letter from your academic advisor or dean must include:
  • The goals and objectives of the specific training program
  • A description of the training program, including all the information listed above
  • An explanation of how the training relates to your major field of study
  • An explanation of why this employment is an integral or critical part of your academic program
  • The length of time necessary to complete the goals and objectives of the academic training

• Submit a request for Student Academic Training through MyGlobal Portal.
• Schedule an appointment with the Office of Global Engagement. NOTE: Your appointment must occur at least 20 working days before your official degree completion date or before the end date on your Form DS-2019, whichever is earlier. If you fail to submit your application before your program completion, or before the end date on your Form DS-2019, whichever is earlier, you will not be eligible for academic training.
• Bring the following documents with you to your appointment:
  • Employment offer letter
  • Letter of recommendation from your academic advisor or dean
  • Copies of your current and all previous Forms DS-2019
  • A copy of your passport biographical data page and visa page
  • A copy of paper or print-out of electronic Form I-94
  • Unofficial transcript from Nest
  • Proof of funding to show how you will support yourself during your academic training (if your academic training is unpaid)

If your application is approved, we will issue a new Form DS-2019 authorizing the academic training for the duration you requested. Your employer will be listed on the academic training authorization letter accompanying the new Form DS-2019. The end date on this form is now the end date of your J-1 program. Please note that you can’t start work before your academic training is approved.  Most likely your employer will also request that you have a Social Security Number. To be eligible to apply for a Social Security number you will need your DS-2019 updated to include Academic Training.