What is Academic Training (AT) for J-1 students?

Academic Training (AT) is a benefit of J-1 student status that allows you to gain practical work experience directly related to your field of study. AT can be paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time, and may involve one or more employers, offering flexibility to supplement your academic program in the U.S.

At Texas State, the ISSS Office is your J-1 program sponsor if we issued your DS-2019. 

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Types of Academic Training (AT)

Academic training is available at any stage of your academic program, either while you are enrolled in school or after you complete your academic program, as long as you maintain valid J-1 status, follow the appropriate application and approval procedures, and stay within the stated time limits.

Pre-Completion AT

Occurs during your academic program; typically part-time (20 hours or less per week), unless full-time is required by your exchange degree program. Full-time AT may be allowed during university authorized breaks (with approval from your department's supervisor). 

Request must be submitted to the ISSS Office 2 weeks before your start date.

Post-Completion AT

Pursuing your AT after your exchange program is completed; this can be full-time or part-time. Authorization must be requested before your program end date, and employment must begin within 30 days of completion. 

Request must be submitted to the ISSS Office within 15 days after you complete your exchange program with TXST.

Eligibility Criteria

The Student

  • You must be in the U.S. in valid J-1 status and primarily for full-time study in an academic program.
  • You must be in good academic standing at Texas State University
  • You must participate in training directly related to your major field of study listed on your Form DS-2019.
  • You must have received an offer letter for the proposed training position.
  • You must be recommended by your academic or faculty adviser to participate in the training.
  • You must apply before the completion of your academic program, and obtain prior authorization for the duration and type of academic training from a responsible officer or alternate responsible officer at the ISSS Office.
  • Your employment/training must occur only with the employer(s) noted on the academic training authorization letter.
  • Your J-1 status must be maintained via a valid Form DS-2019, and extensions must be requested as needed in a timely manner.
  • J-1 students must maintain health insurance from Texas State University

The Position

  • Must be directly related to the student’s TXST program or study;
  • Must be in-person or hybrid. Department of State defines hybrid as one to two telework days per week. AT cannot be authorized for fully remote positions;
  • Must provide the student with training. Therefore, AT is not possible for positions where the student will act as an independent contractor or consultant without a direct supervisor overseeing their work and providing training. Self-employment is not permitted;
    • AT allows for more than one position at a time, as long as they are all related to the student’s field of study and separate Academic Training request forms are submitted for each position.

Length of the Academic Training

  • The total employment/training period may not exceed the amount of time spent in full course of study. For example, if you are a Masters student who completed a program in 12 months, you are only eligible for 12 months of academic training.
  • Completing more than one degree program at the same time does not increase your academic training period.
  • Any pre-completion academic training period is deducted from your total allowable academic training period when calculating post-completion academic training.

Time Limitations

  • AT may not exceed "the period of full course of study" or 18 months, whichever is shorter. An additional 18 months is possible for J-1 students who obtain a Ph.D. 
  • Part-time employment for AT counts against the 18 or 36-month limit the same as full-time employment. 

How to Apply for Academic Training

If after reviewing the information on this site, you still have any doubts about your eligibility or when to apply for Academic Training (AT), please discuss these questions with the ISSS Office before you begin the application process.

Expand FAQ List

  • Have a formal employment offer written on official stationery (letterhead) from your potential academic training employer. The job offer letter from your employer must include:

    • Your job title
    • A brief description of the goals and objectives of your training or employment
    • Dates and location of training or employment
    • Number of hours per week, salary and benefits
    • Name and title of your training supervisor

  • Obtain a letter of recommendation from your academic advisor or the dean of the department in which you are studying recommending you to participate in this academic training. You will need to provide him/her with a copy of your employment offer letter. The recommendation letter from your academic advisor or dean must include:

    • The goals and objectives of the specific training program
    • A description of the training program, including all the information listed above
    • How the training relates to your major field of study
    • Why this employment is an integral or critical part of your academic program
    • The length of time necessary to complete the goals and objectives of the academic training

    • Employment offer letter
    • Letter of recommendation from your academic advisor or dean
    • Copies of your current and all previous Forms DS-2019
    • A copy of your passport biographical data page and visa page
    • A copy of paper or print-out of electronic Form I-94
    • Unofficial transcript from Wolverine Access
    • Proof of funding to show how you will support yourself during your academic training (if your academic training is unpaid)

  • Log in to your TXST International Portal account, click on Requests→ Academic Training, and follow the instructions provided.

  • If the International Student & Scholar Services Office approves your application, we will issue a new Form DS-2019 authorizing the academic training for the duration you requested. Your employer will be listed on the academic training authorization letter accompanying the new Form DS-2019. The end date on this form is now the end date of your J-1 program. 

    If you wish to extend your time at Texas State University, you must seek approval through the Education Abroad Office.

    • Every J-1 student on Academic Training must submit an evaluation of their training experience using the ISSS Office evaluation form.
    • Submission is required in the following situations:
      1. When changing AT positions.
      2. When requesting an extension of AT.
      3. At the completion of each AT position.
      4. If ending the AT position early and leaving the U.S. before the original AT end dat

    This is to ensure that the AT experience is effective, appropriate, and aligned with the training objectives on the DS-2019. Failure to submit the evaluation can affect your J-1 visa compliance record.

Planning to Travel?

If you are pending an Academic Training request, please note if you leave the U.S. while the request is pending, your AT eligibility will be affected.

Have Questions?

Speak with the RO, who oversees the J-1 Program, here.
Please note that only the RO and ARO are able to provide guidance to students/scholars utilizing a DS-2019.