Academic Training

Academic Training is a form of employment authorization for J-1 students that allows you to gain work experience directly related to your academic program while in the United States.

Duration

Academic training may not exceed the length of your full course of study or 18 months, whichever is shorter. This total includes all academic training you’ve done in the U.S., both before and after you complete your studies.

• Exception: Post-doctoral training after completion of a doctorate degree has an overall limit of 36 months. It is granted in periods of 18 months or less. 

Earning more than one degree does not increase the amount of time allotted for academic training. 

Pre-Completion Academic Training

You may be approved to begin academic training while you are still completing your degree program if all the following apply:

• Degree-Seeking Status: You are enrolled in a degree program. Pre-Completion Academic Training is not an option for non-degree seeking students.
• Impact on 18-Month Limit: Any time used for pre-completion academic training is subtracted from your total 18-month limit, regardless of whether it is part-time or full-time.
• Duration: Academic training is authorized for one semester at a time. It is limited to part-time employment (up to 20 hours/week) during the fall and spring semesters and may be part-time or full-time (more than 20 hours/week) during official school breaks. Graduate students who have completed all coursework may also be eligible for full-time training during the semester.
• Enrollment Requirements: You must maintain full-time enrollment during the fall and spring semesters. Additionally, you must be enrolled in the appropriate units for the applicable condition below.

Pre-Completion Conditions 

Condition #1

• Purpose: To fulfill a graduation requirement or participate in an experience that is an integral part of your curriculum.
• Registration requirement: You must enroll in the course(s) required or recommended by your academic program for the experience. This may include internship, practicum, or independent study units.

Condition #2

• Purpose: To collect data or conduct research for your thesis, dissertation or master’s project
• Registration requirement: Register for thesis, dissertation or research units. If your academic training is over the summer, you must register for thesis, dissertation or research units either in the summer or the following fall semester. Master’s project students must enroll in master’s project summer units for summer academic training.

Post-Completion Academic Training

You may be authorized for post-completion academic training after completing your program if all the following apply:

• Application deadline: You must apply at least 10 business days before your DS-2019 end date or graduation date.
• Start date: Your training must begin within 30 days of your DS-2019 end date.
• Unpaid employment: If you are requesting authorization for unpaid training, you must provide proof of another source of funding. This is required when we extend your program end date to authorize post-completion academic training.

Eligibility

• You are in J-1 status.
• Your primary purpose in the United States must be to study rather than academic training.
• You are in good academic standing at the University of Arizona and have completed at least one semester.
• The proposed employment must be directly related to your major field of study.
• Regulations require that you maintain health insurance coverage for yourself and all J-2 dependents throughout your program, including academic training. Your health insurance plan should meet the minimum requirements set forth in the regulations (22 CFR 64.14).
• If sponsored, you must receive prior approval from your funding sponsor.

Students in non-degree seeking programs must meet with an international student advisor to determine eligibility for academic training. 

How to Apply

IMPORTANT We review and approve academic training requests on a case-by-case basis. We strongly encourage you to meet with an international student advisor to discuss your eligibility for academic training before you sign any offer letter or commit to a position.

1. Submit the Academic Training e-form at least 2 weeks before your proposed start date.
2. Upload an offer letter, printed on company letterhead, with the required information (see below).
3. Enter the name and email address for your academic advisor, so they can confirm your degree completion date and explain how the academic training experience is related to your program of study.
4. Upload proof of health insurance that meets regulatory requirements. Required for all students on post-completion academic training and J-2 dependents.
   • Exception: If you are completing your program in the spring semester and requesting academic training through August 15, you do not need to upload proof of health insurance as you will continue to be covered under Student Health Insurance Plan through Campus Health.
5. Upload proof of living expenses for the duration of your academic training. Required for all students on post-completion academic training.
   • You can use your academic training offer letter with compensation details or other personal or third-party funding (for acceptable forms of funding see Cost of Attendance).
   • Minimum monthly funding requirements:
     • J-1 Student: $2,028 per month (undergraduates) or $2,778 per month (graduates)
     • J-2 Spouse: $889 per month
     • J-2 Child: $556 per month

Normal processing time is 10 business days from the date your academic advisor submits the advisor portion of the e-form and uploads the completed advisor letter.

Offer Letter Requirements

The offer letter that you upload with your academic training request must include the following information:

• Job or position title
• Position duties
• Company information
• Hours per week
• Start and end dates
• Supervisor’s information
• If you are working remotely, the letter must confirm the employer has a partial remote policy and that you will not be remote more than 40% of the time (e.g. two days out of five).

Your employer can use our Academic Training Offer Letter Template (must be printed on company letterhead) or provide their own letter, as long as it includes the required information.

Social Security and Taxes

If your application is approved, you will receive a DS-2019 with academic training authorization and a letter from the ARO.

If your academic training experience is paid and you don’t already have a Social Security Number, you can apply for one after your academic training is approved. For more information about how to apply review Social Security Number.

Your earnings are subject to applicable federal, state and local taxes. You must file a tax return on or before April 15 each year, which will determine if any of the withheld taxes can be refunded. In general, J-1 students who have been in the U.S. less than five years are exempt from Social Security (F.I.C.A.) taxes.

Reporting & Evaluation

J-1 regulations require the University of Arizona to monitor and evaluate your academic training experience.

• Reporting changes: While on academic training, you must report any changes to your address or employment information within 10 days of the change.
• Training evaluation: You must complete an evaluation of your academic training at the end of each authorization period. You are responsible for uploading the Employer Evaluation form (PDF) to the Academic Training Evaluation e-form in MyGlobal. The form must be completed and signed by your supervisor. 

Frequently Asked Questions