Academic Training for J-1 Students

Academic Training (AT) is off-campus employment training or practical experience related to a J-1 Student's field of study in order to supplement your academic program in the U.S. Once you have completed one full semester at the University of Utah, AT is available at any point in your academic program (either while you are enrolled in courses or after you complete your program of study), as long as you are maintaining your J-1 status and follow the appropriate application process. 

AT may involve sequential or simultaneous activities, can be either paid or unpaid, and can involve one or several employers. Application and approval procedures must be followed for each employer and activity. AT "time limits" for your degree-level must not be exceeded.

To participate in AT, the ISSS office must evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of the academic training in achieving its stated goals and objectives in order to ensure the quality of the training program. 

Eligibility for Academic Training

• Your primary goal in the U.S. should be to study rather than engage in Academic Training.
• You must have completed at least one full semester at the University of Utah to be eligible to apply.
• The AT position must be directly related to the major field of study that is listed on your Form DS-2019.
• You must receive approval in advance from ISSS before you begin your AT position.
• You must submit your AT Request e-form to ISSS at least two weeks before your Program End Date or proposed AT position start date, whichever comes first. 

Pre-Completion vs. Post-Completion Academic Training

• AT can be completed before your Program End Date (Pre-Completion AT) or after your Program End Date (Post-Completion AT).
• Both Pre-Completion and Post-Completion AT will subtract from your maximum AT duration, dependent on your degree-level (see below). 

Time Limitations on Academic Training 

You may participate in AT before and/or after the completion of your program of study, however, you must have completed at least one semester at the U of U to be eligible to apply. The duration of AT must meet the following requirements and be approved by ISSS before the employment begins:

• Undergraduate and Pre-Doctoral Training: You are eligible for one month of AT for each month of study, up to a maximum of 18 months. For example, if your exchange program is one semester (4 months), you are eligible for 4 months of post-completion AT. If your program is 36 months, you are eligible for the maximum 18 months. 
  • Non-Degree Seeking Students: Your combined duration of study and AT may not exceed a total of 24 months. 
  • More than 18 months can be approved at the undergraduate and pre-doctoral level only if it is necessary for you to meet the requirements of your degree program in the U.S.
• Post-Doctoral Training: Your AT cannot exceed 36 months including all prior AT you have completed.
• Special J-1 STEM Extension: This is available for Academic Years 2021-2022 & 2022-2023: This allows a possible 36 month maximum for Bachelor's/Master's STEM graduates with degrees on the STEM Designated Degree Program List (your specific code is listed in the Subject/Field Code section of your DS-2019).  See the Department of State Announcement for more details and their Frequently Asked Questions. This extension is available for a total of 36 months or for a period equal to the length of the study of program, whichever is shorter. For example, if you are in a STEM eligible field and in a program for 24 months, you may be eligible for the traditional 18 months of AT and then an additional 6 months. If you are only in a program for 18 months or less, you are not eligible for the extension. 

 

icon If you have used any AT at another institution or in a prior J-1 program, the amount used will be subtracted from your allowable total. For example, if you used 12 months of AT during your Bachelor's degree, if you continue in a J-1 Master's program, you will only have 6 months of AT left available.