J-1 Student Post-Completion Academic Training – Guidelines for University of Montana (UM) Partner Exchange Students
The U.S. Department of State defines certain types of study-related employment as 'academic training.' This is more commonly referred to as an internship. You must meet certain qualifications to qualify for academic training.
Academic training covers a variety of employment situations to supplement your academic program in the United States. Post-Completion Academic Training is available only after completion of your J-1 program of study at UM. If you stay within the stipulated time limits, it lets you work part-time (20 hours or less per week) or full time (40 hours per week) in a job or internship directly related to your major at UM (the major that is listed on your DS-2019).
J-1 students in non-degree programs are only eligible for Post-Completion Academic Training (they are not eligible for Pre-Completion Academic Training which is only available to degree-seeking students and occurs during the J-1 program of study, not afterwards).
Your J-1 Responsible Officer (RO)
To qualify for academic training, you must first obtain written approval from your J-1 Responsible Officer (RO), who represents your J-1 sponsor and issues your Form DS-2019. To obtain permission, you must complete and submit the J-1 Student Academic Training Request. The RO must evaluate the proposed employment in terms of your program of study and your individual circumstances and then decide whether it would be appropriate. The University of Montana RO is:
Bodhi Murphy
Director, PDSO/RO
International Students & Scholars
bodhi.murphy@mso.umt.edu
Eligibility
- Your primary purpose in the US must be study, rather than academic training.
- You must be in good academic standing at the school listed on your Form DS-2019(UM).
- The proposed employment must be directly related to your major field of study listed on your DS-2019.
- Throughout your academic training, you must maintain authorization to stay in the US in J-1 student status and apply for extensions as necessary.
- You must maintain health insurance coverage for yourself and any J-2 dependents throughout your academic training.
Limitations
- Employment will be authorized only for the length of time necessary to complete the goals and objectives of your academic training. It may not exceed the period of full course of study or 18 months, whichever is shorter. The full course of study is the total length of your J-1 exchange program at UM as indicated by the program dates listed on your DS-2019.
- You must obtain approval from both your academic advisor and your RO. Students can apply for this approval by completing the J-1 Student Academic Training Request. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Academic training approved after completion of your program of study must be reduced by any prior periods of academic training.
- Post-Completion Academic Training may involve paid or unpaid employment.
- A complete J-1 Student Academic Training Request form which includes a written offer of qualifying employment and a reference from your academic advisor at UM must be submitted to UM International Students and Scholars (ISS) no later than 30 days after the end of your program, or you will lose eligibility for post-completion academic training.
- If you plan to leave the US after you complete your program of study and then re-enter the US to begin J-1 academic training, you must obtain employment authorization before you leave to avoid delays in re-entering. Consult your RO for advice.
- Post-Completion Academic Training is not eligible for academic credit.
If you have questions, please send them to iss@umontana.edu.