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Employment

If you are enrolled at DU on an F-1 or J-1 visa, your employment eligibility is strictly limted by immigration regulations. It is very important that you do not engage in any form of employment without verifying that you have the required authorization first. Unauthorized employment is a serious violation of your immigration status, which must be reported to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

On-Campus Employment

F-1 and J-1 students may both work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic year, and up to 40 hours per week during the summer and approved university breaks. J-1 students must request an employment authorization letter from their program sponsor before beginning work on-campus. If DU is your program sponsor, you may request an employment authorization letter from an advisor in the I-House. If DU is not your program sponsor, you will need to request a letter directly from your sponsor.

For more information about this authorization, visit On-Campus Employment.

Curricular Practical Training

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an employment benefit available to F-1 students that allows them to complete an internship or practicum experience that is either integral to or required for their degree program. You must have been in valid F-1 status for nine months prior to the employment start date in order to be eligible for CPT. CPT authorizations are issued by an international student advisor.

For more information about this authorization, visit Curricular Practical Training.

Optional Practical Training

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment benefit available to F-1 students that allows them to engage in twelve months of practical training in their field of study after the completion of their degree program. Students in certain science, technology, engineering, and math fields may also be eligible for an additional 17 months of employment authorization. You must have been in valid F-1 status for nine months prior to the authorization start date in order to be eligible for OPT. OPT authorizations are issued by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

For more information about this authorization, visit Optional Practical Training.

Academic Training

Academic Training (AT) is an employment benefit available to J-1 students that allows them to engage in practical training in their field of study, either before or after completion of their program. Academic Training is limited to the duration of the program, or a maxiumum of 18 months for the undergraduate and Master's levels, and 36 months for the doctoral level, whichever is less. Academic Training authorization are issued by the program sponsor.

For more information about this authorization, visit Academic Training.