Welcome International Students!
Full time F-1 students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week on campus while school is in session, and up to 40 hours per week during vacation periods. Permission from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is not needed for on-campus employment.Full time F-1 students have two options to receive permission from DHS to work off-campus. The first option is called "Economic Necessity" and requires an unforeseen financial crisis. The second option is called Practical Training, which is work experience in your field of study and can be utilized before or after completion of your studies. Consult with the International Student Advisor if you need additional information. Practical training is described below.
F-2 status holders are never eligible for employment authorization.
All F-1 Students planning to apply for any type of practical training are required to attend a practical training workshop before meeting with an advisor in the International Student Office. Please see the Practical Training Workshop Schedule.
Practical Training
Practical Training is defined as work experience in the student’s major field of study. There are two types of practical training available to international students:
- Post Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT offers students in F-1 status the opportunity to work in the United States for a period of twelve (12) months immediately after completing their program of study. The employment can be paid employment. The employment must be directly related to the students’ major field of study.
For a detailed description of Optional Practical Training, eligibility requirements, application deadlines and procedures, please see the Optional Post Completion Practical Training Handout.
OPT Application Documents:
Practical Training Document List
Photo Instructions
Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
For instructions, please see the OPT handout above.
Form I-538
For instructions, please see the OPT handout above.
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT)/ Cooperative Education
Curricular practical training allows students in F-1 status to be employed off-campus before they complete their academic program. F-1 students who obtain authorization for CPT on their Form I-20 can work off-campus (in employment directly related to the student’s major field of study) while they are enrolled in classes and/or during their summer vacation period.
See the detailed description of the procedures for participation in CPT/Cooperative Education.
