Off-Campus Employment (Internships)
Academic Training (AT)
J-1 Academic Training (AT) is employment which is directly related to the student's field of study. It may be granted prior to (part/full-time) or after completion of academic objective/degree program. Students may receive wages or other remuneration during AT.
AT must always be recommended by your academic advisor (degree-seeking students), or your exchange program coordinator (non-degree seeking exchange students); AND authorized by the USF responsible officer. The responsible officer [RO] and the alternate responsible officer [ARO] at USF are advisors at International Services.
To be eligible for AT, you must:
- Have been a full-time student in good academic standing during the academic year
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Regulations state that a student may be authorized to participate in Academic Training "commencing not later than thirty (30) days after completion of his or her studies."
- Possess a valid and unexpired Form DS-2019 and I-94 card
- Have a job offer
- Have recommendation from academic advisor or exchange program coordinator
- Have continued health insurance coverage for yourself [and your dependents if applicable] before and during the AT period
Duration of AT:
Non-degree seeking exchange program students:
Limited to the time recommended by the exchange program coordinator as time needed
to achieve the training objective. The total training period may not exceed the amount
of time spent in the full course of study.
Degree-seeking students
Permitted an overall limit of 18 months, which includes all AT, whether before or
after completion of studies. The total training period may not exceed the amount of
time spent in the full course of study.
Post-doctoral training (after completion of a degree program):
Granted for an initial period of 18 months or less. An extension may be filed for
additional time, up to 36 months, only if it is required for the degree and if the
training occurs under the supervision of an academic or research institution.
Application Deadlines:
A J-1 student must apply for Academic Training prior to completion of academic program. If you plan to leave the United States after you complete your program of study and reenter the country for AT, you must obtain employment authorization before you leave.
Application and Authorization Procedures:
1. Complete the Academic Training Application E-Form in iStart. You will need the following:
Recommendation Letter From Your Advisor
Letter from academic advisor (degree-seeking students) or exchange program coordinator (non-degree exchange program students) must include the following information:
- The goals and objectives of the specific AT
- Why training is an integral or critical part of the academic program
- Explanation of how training relates to the student's major field of study
- Detailed description of the training program:
- Location of training
- Name and address of student's training supervisor
- Number of hours per week of training
- Exact dates of training
- Evaluation: the advisor must explain how (s)he will evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of the academic training in achieving the stated goals and objectives. This must include information on how, when and frequency of evaluation.
Job Offer Letter From Employer
Letter from employer must include the following points:
- Job Title
- Job description
- Dates of employment
- Number of hours per week
- Salary or remuneration if any
2. Once you submit the Academic Training Application E-Form we will review the letters for compliance requirements and check eligibility to determine whether the AT requested is warranted and the criteria and time limitation are satisfied. If you are approved, your SEVIS record will be updated and you will be provided with an updated DS-2019 and written approval from the RO. You will be emailed with instruction upon approval.