International Student Services

Employment in the United States

International students are eligible to work on campus for up to twenty hours per week. To find job opportunities, check your Adler School e-mail for open position announcements. Once you accept a position, please contact the Assistant Director of Student and Alumni Affairs for information on getting your Social Security number.

Off-Campus Employment for International Students

International students have two types of employment opportunities: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).

CPT Overview

CPT is temporary employment authorization that allows an F-1 student to gain practical experience through a practicum, internship, or off-campus work that is directly related to the student's program of study. CPT is linked to a specific course, is credit-bearing, and is limited to the specific employer and dates of employment listed on the CPT application. CPT requires authorization prior to the beginning date of employment. A student may begin employment only after receipt of official approval from the Director or Assistant Director of Student and Alumni Affairs. This approval will be a CPT endorsement on the third page of the student I-20. There are two types of CPT:

• Required Curricular Practical Training: an internship or practicum you must complete to earn your degree
• For-credit Curricular Practical Training: allows you to earn academic credit toward your degree requirements in a job related to your field of study 

CPT Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for CPT, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Be in lawful status as a full-time student for one academic year unless the student's graduate program requires an immediate CPT experience (Community Service Practicum would fit this description)
• Be in good academic standing
• Training must be an integral part of a program of study—full-time (more than twenty hours per week) or part-time (less than twenty hours per week)
  • If full-time for twelve months or more, the student will be ineligible for Optional Practical Training.
  • There is no limit on part-time CPT.

An F-1 student may only apply for CPT if work is needed to fulfill course requirements, is part of an established cooperative or clinical training program, or is necessary for the completion of the degree, thesis, or dissertation.

How to Apply for CPT

1. Obtain a job offer letter from your employer. Letter must indicate job title, dates of employment, number of hours, and location of employment.
2. Have your faculty advisor complete the Academic Advisor's Recommendation Form.
3. Make an appointment to see the Assistant Director of Student and Alumni Affairs.
4. Bring your job offer letter and Academic Advisor's Recommendation Form with you to your appointment.
5. You will receive an I-20.
6. Apply for a Social Security number (if necessary) after picking up the I-20.

Renewing CPT

You are responsible for renewing CPT employment after the end date noted on the endorsement. You may not continue to work after the authorization end date. If you do, your F-1 status may be terminated.

OPT Overview

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment authorization allowing F-1 students the opportunity to gain practical experience in their field of study. OPT is most often awarded for a twelve-month period upon completion of an academic degree. The OPT application requires approval from the Assistant Director of Student and Alumni Affairs and from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

OPT Eligibility Requirements

• Students must be enrolled for one academic year in which the continuity of immigration status has been maintained.
  • A total of twelve months of training is available per educational level and training must be related to the major area of studies.
  • An offer of employment is not required to submit the application for OPT.
• Students can begin working only after they have received the Employment Authorization Document from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• Students may change employers during the period of authorized OPT, provided that the new employment continues to be directly related to the field of study and is commensurate with the educational level.

Even if you have not yet secured employment at the time of application, your intention in applying for OPT is to be employed in your field of study. Once you receive employment authorization, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services considers it a violation if you neither start nor actively seek employment.

How to Apply for OPT

1. Contact the Assistant Director of Student and Alumni Affairs at least one term before graduation to express interest in obtaining OPT. F-1 students may apply for post-completion OPT no earlier than ninety days before the I-20 expiration date and no later than sixty days after the I-20 expiration date.
2. Make an appointment to see the Assistant Director of Student and Alumni Affairs.
3. Bring the following documents to your appointment with the ADSAA:
   
   • Completed Form I-765. Please enter (c)(3)(B) in Part 16 for Post-Completion OPT
   • Photocopy of the first I-20 issued to you by Adler School (if you have misplaced it, please turn in an I-20 that was stamped at the port of entry more than one year ago)
   • Photocopies of all I-20s issued for previously approved periods of full- or part-time Curricular Practical Training
   • Photocopy (front and back) of previously issued Employment Authorization Documents or other approved employment authorization (if applicable)
   • Photocopy of the front and back of your I-94 card
   • Photocopy of your passport biographic page
   • Photocopy of your US visa stamp
   • Check for $380 payable to Department of Homeland Security
   • Two photos (passport style, with white background and 2 x 2 in. size); print your name and I-94 number on the back of each in pencil
4. You will receive a new I-20.
5. Prepare a packet to mail to the Department of Homeland Security:
   
   • One copy of I-20 with OPT status (signed)
   • Completed Form I-765
   • Photocopy of first I-20 from Adler School
   • Photocopies of all I-20s issued for previously approved periods of full- or part-time Curricular Practical Training
   • Photocopy of the front and back of your I-94 card
   • Photocopy of your passport biographic page
   • Photocopy of your US visa stamp
   • Photocopy of previously issued Employment Authorization Documents or other approved employment authorization (if applicable)
   • Check for $380 made out to the Department of Homeland Security
   • Two passport style photos (2 x 2 in.)
6. Mail the packet to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. If using the US Postal Service:
   USCIS
   P.O. Box 21281
   Phoenix, AZ 85036
   
   If using Express mail or Courier delivery:
   USCIS
   Attn: AOS
   1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S
   Suite 100
   Phoenix, AZ 85034

Travel Information for Students Applying for Post-Completion OPT

If you leave the country after the completion of studies and before obtaining OPT authorization, you must have the EAD card and a letter of offer of employment in order to return to the US. If you have used Adler School as your return address on the I-765, be advised that we will not mail your EAD card to you; you will have to stop by the office to pick it up.

For re-entry to the US during the authorized period of the post-completion OPT, you must present the following to US Customs and Border Protection:

• I-20 form endorsed by The International Office at Adler School within the last twelve months and showing OPT authorization on the third page
• Employment Authorization Document
• Valid passport
• Valid F-1 Visa stamp
• A letter of employment verification from current or future employer

If you do not have a valid F-1 Visa and you leave the US, you will need to obtain one prior to your return, unless you travel to Canada, Mexico, or the contiguous territories for less than 30 days.