On-Campus Employment for International Students Studying in the U.S.
International students are eligible to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week. To find possible job opportunities on campus, check your Adler School e-mail for open position announcements.
Once you have accepted a position on campus, please contact the Assistant Director of Student and Alumni Affairs to obtain information on getting your social security number.

Off-Campus Employment for International Students Studying in the U.S.
International students have two types of employment opportunities — Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary employment authorization which allows an F-1 student to gain practical experience through a practicum, internship, or work off-campus 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 (DSAA or ADSAA).  This approval will be a CPT endorsement on the third page of the student I-20.

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

• 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
• Good academic standing
• Training must be an integral part of a program of study.
• Training may be full-time (more than 20 hours per week) or part-time (less than 20 hours per week).  If full-time for 12 months or more, the student will be ineligible for Optional Practical Training.  There is no limit on part-time CPT.
• CPT is job specific and cannot be transferred to another employer.

There are two types of CPT:
Required Curricular Practical Training is an internship or practicum that 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 that is related to your field of study.  It may be a required part of your program or an elective.

An F-1 student may only apply for CPT based on one of the following categories:
     • Work is needed to fulfill course requirements.
     • Work is part of an established cooperative or clinical training program.
     • Work is necessary for the completion of the degree, thesis, or dissertation.

How to Apply:
1. Obtain a job offer letter from your employer.  Offer letter must indicate the job title, dates of employment, number of hours, and location of employment. 

2. Have your faculty advisor fill out the attached Academic Advisor's Recommendation Form.

3. Make an appointment to see the Assistant Director of Student and Alumni Affairs at 312-201-5900 x374 (Tami). 

4. Bring your job offer letter and Academic Advisor's Recommendation Form with you to your appointment. 

5. ADSAA will enter your period of CPT into SEVIS and will print a new I-20 for you.  CPT may be authorized for up to one year at a time based on the dates of employment in the job offer letter. 

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 third page of the I-20 (the CPT endorsement).  You may not continue to work after the work authorization end date listed on the third page of the I-20.  If you continue to work when you are not authorized for CPT, your F-1 status may be terminated.

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 upon completion of an academic degree for a 12-month period.  The OPT application requires approval from both the Assistant Director of Student and Alumni Affairs and from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) prior to the beginning date of the practical training.

• 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 (EAD card) from the USCIS.
• 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 commensurate with the educational level.

** Even if you have not yet secured employment at the time of application, your intention in applying for Post-Completion OPT is to be employed in your field of study. Once you receive employment authorization, USCIS considers it a violation if you neither start or actively seek employment.

How to Apply

1. Contact the Assistant Director of Student and Alumni Affairs (DSAA) to express your  interest in obtaining an OPT at least one term before your graduation.  F-1 students may apply for post-completion OPT no earlier than 90-days before the I-20 expiration date and no later than 60-days after the I-20 expiration date. 

2. Make an appointment to see the Assistant Director of Student and Alumni Affairs at 312-201-5900 x374.

3.  Bring the following documents to your appointment with the ADSAA:

• Completed form I-765 available at http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-765.pdf.  Please enter (c)(3)(B) in Part 16 for Post-Completion OPT.
• Photocopy of the 1st I-20 issued to you by Adler School – if you have misplaced your first I-20, please turn in an I-20 that was stamped at the port of entry more than 1 year ago.
• Photocopies of all I-20s issued for previously approved periods of full or part-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
• Photocopy (front and back) of previously issued Employment Authorization Documents or other USCIS Service Center 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 U.S. visa stamp.
• Check for $340 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. The ADSAA will enter your period of Optional Practical Training into SEVIS and will print out a new I-20 for you. 

5. Prepare a packet to mail to the Department of Homeland Security:

• One copy of I-20 with OPT status (signed by you and ADSAA)
• Completed Form I-765
• Photocopy of 1st I-20 from Adler School
• Photocopies of all I-20s issued for previously approved periods of full or part-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
• Photocopy of the front and back of your I-94 card
• Photocopy of your passport biographic page
• Photocopy of your U.S. visa stamp
• Photocopy of previously issued Employment Authorization Documents or other USCIS Service Center approved employment authorization (if applicable)
• Check for $340 made out to the Department of Homeland Security
• Two passport style photos (2 x 2 in size)

6. Mail the packet to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If using the US Postal Service, please send your documents to the following address:

USCIS
P.O. Box 21281
Phoenix, AZ  85036

If using Express mail or Courier delivery, please send your documents to the following address:

USCIS
Attn:  AOS
1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034

Travel Information for Students applying for Post-Completion OPT

1. If a student leaves the country after the completion of studies and before obtaining OPT authorization, s/he must have the EAD card and a letter of offer of employment in order to return to the United States. 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 21st floor to pick it up.
2. For re-entry to the U.S. during the authorized period of the post-completion OPT, you must present the following to the United States Customs and Border Protection:

• I-20 form endorsed by The International Office at Adler School within the last 12 months and showing OPT authorization on the third page
• Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
• Valid passport
• Valid F-1 visa stamp**
• A letter of employment verification from current or future employer

**If you do not have a valid F1 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 and do not apply for a new F-1 visa stamp at a US Consulate.

For more information, please contact the Assistant Director of Student and Alumni Affairs at studentservices@adler.edu to find out more about employment opportunities and eligibility at Adler School.