Academic Training (On- or Off-Campus)

Academic Training is a type of employment directly related to your area of study. Academic Training is primarily used following graduation, though it may also be approved during your degree program on a limited basis.  

An academic training program must be: 

• Authorized in writing by EVS advisor before any activity begins. 
• Recommended by the student’s academic advisor. 
• Designed to apply the knowledge and skills learned during the academic program. 
• Cannot be primarily unskilled labor or clerical work. 
• Involve at least 3 out of 5 days per week of in-person activities. Remote positions are not eligible for Academic Training. 
• Post-Completion Academic Training must involve at least 32 hours per week of activities.
• Limited to a period of 18 months, unless: 
  • If your academic program is shorter than 18 months, the academic training period cannot be longer than the program itself. 
  • If you are pursuing postdoctoral training, you may be eligible for up to 36 months of academic training. 
  • If you have already used part or all of the 18 months during an earlier degree in the same J program, you do not get that time back. 
    • For example, if you used 18 months of academic training during your Bachelor's degree and are now in a Master's program as part of the same J program, you do not have any more academic training left for your Master's program.  

Important Considerations 

• Academic Training is considered full-time employment, even if you are working part time. 
  • For example, using Pre-Completion Academic Training for three months at 10 hours per week still uses three months of your total Academic Training eligibility, even though the work is part time.
• Self-employment is not eligible for Academic Training. 
• Academic Training may involve multiple consecutive and/or simultaneous activities. 
  • These activities may be paid or unpaid, with one or more employers, as long as you receive proper authorization and follow all regulations. 
  • For Post-Completion Academic Training, the individual positions may be less than 32 hours per week, as long as they total 32 hours per week or more when combined.
• Post-Completion Academic Training must begin within 30 days of your Form DS-2019 end date.  
• Prior to graduation, the primary purpose of your program is to make regular progress towards completing your degree. As such, Pre-Completion Academic Training will only be approved in limited circumstances.