Academic Training for J-1 Students

International Student and Scholar Services | Academic Training for J-1 Students

Academic training (AT) is an authorization for temporary employment aimed at providing students with practical training directly related to their major field of study. It can be used for full- or part-time employment and can be used before or after completion of the course of study. While the school is in session only part-time employment (up to 20 hrs a week) is allowed.

Note: Students sponsored for their J-1 status by an outside agency (not  by SAIS) need to contact the sponsoring agency for information on academic training. Additional restrictions might apply.

Who is eligible?

J-1 students in Master's programs are eligible for up to 18 months of academic training. However, the time spent in academic training cannot exceed the time spent in the U.S. in the full course of study. Doctoral students who engage in postdoctoral research are allowed additional 18 months of academic training.

SAIS students are eligible for academic training as follows:

• MA students: eligible for up to 18 months of AT, however, the duration of the employment cannot exceed the time spent in the U.S. in the full course of study (i.e. students who spent their first year of study in Bologna are eligible for up to 9 months of AT)
• MIPP students: eligible for up to 9 months of AT, however, the duration of AT cannot exceed the time spent in the US in the full course of study
• Exchange students: eligible for academic training that cannot exceed the amount of time spent in the full course of study in J-1 status (i. e. students who come to SAIS for one semester of study are eligible for up to one semester of academic training)
• Doctoral students: eligible for up to 18 months of AT while pursuing their degree, and additional 18 months when engaged in postdoctoral research

APPLICATION PROCESS