J-1 Academic Training
Academic Training (AT) is an off-campus training opportunity available to eligible students in J-1 status to gain practical experience in their major field of study. Academic Training is authorized by your J-1 Program Sponsor. J-1 students sponsored by Brandeis University should work with their International Student Advisor for AT authorization and J-1 students sponsored by other organizations must work with their sponsor directly.
Academic Training must:
- Be considered an integral or critical part of the student's academic program.
- Consist of bona fide training activities that are connected to a substantial academic framework, and are designed to expose the student to the operations in their field of study.
- Not require more than 40% (2 out of 5 days) remote work
Additional Guidance from the U.S. Department of State:
Exchange Visitors should seek primarily substantive roles for Academic Training (e.g., shadowing managers, participating in project design, management, or event planning) that involve no more than infrequent non-substantive tasks (e.g., housekeeping, bussing tables, serving food).
Expand All
Pre-Completion AT
Pre-Completion AT authorization allows J-1 students to obtain training off-campus, part-time while classes are in session, and full-time during vacation periods (summer, winter break, etc.).
Post-Completion AT
Post-Completion AT authorization allows J-1 students to obtain training off-campus, part or full-time after their program or degree completion.
Expand All
Note: J-1 students who are not sponsored by Brandeis University will have to contact their Program Sponsors (institution/organization listed in Item #2 of the Form DS-2019) directly to determine their eligibility and timeline for AT.
J-1 students who are financially sponsored by the World Bank must abide by the terms of their contract with the World Bank and should contact their Graduate Advisor for guidance.
Eligibility
To be eligible for Academic Training (AT) a J-1 student must:
- Have completed at least one semester of full-time study in J-1 status
- Be in good academic standing and have maintained full-time enrollment each semester
- Have proposed training that is directly related to their major field of study
- Have obtained a Training Authorization letter from the J-1 Program Sponsor stating the duration and type of AT
- For Pre-Completion AT: Be authorized for AT before the proposed training start date
- For Post-Completion AT: Be authorized for AT before the program end date and begin training within 30 days of the program end date
Length of AT
- Bachelor's and Master's degree students may be granted AT for a time period equal to the length of their academic program with a maximum limit of 18 months (e.g., 9 months of study will allow up to 9 months of AT)
- Doctoral students may be eligible for up to 36 months of AT after completion of the Ph.D. degree
- Exchange students may be eligible for the amount of AT based on the number of months they were enrolled full-time at Brandeis. For example, a fall-semester exchange is eligible for 3.5 months of AT
- When counting months of authorization, part-time AT counts the same as full-time AT
Post Completion AT Start Date: If the AT starts within 30 days of the program end date, the student will be authorized for AT from their training start date.
J-1 visa holders are required to have health insurance that meets regulatory requirements while on Academic Training. Some health insurance companies that offer insurance for exchange visitors are listed below:
AT is training and date specific. If you are thinking of changing your training in any way, including change of position, dates of training, salary, location, training description, etc. you must:
- Request approval from your Program Sponsor. Your Program Sponsor must approve all changes prior to the change.
- Request a new AT Training Authorization Letter from your Program Sponsor before your current AT expires.
If a student fails to report any changes in training and obtain proper training authorization, they will violate their J-1 immigration status.
Students authorized for Academic Training must submit an AT Evaluation. The evaluation is used to assess the effectiveness and appropriateness of the Academic Training in achieving the stated goals and objectives described in the initial application.
The evaluation must be submitted before the end of the authorized Academic Training period (within 30 days before their Pre-Completion AT end date, or 60 days before their Post-Completion AT end date.) Students can submit the "Evaluation for Academic Training " Request in the ISSO Portal.
If you plan to leave and re-enter the U.S. after your program completion to participate in J-1 AT, you must:
- Apply for and obtain Academic Training before you depart.
- Have a valid travel signature on your Form DS-2019
- Have a valid passport
- Have a valid J-1 visa upon your re-entry to the U.S.
After the end date of your Post-Completion AT/Program End Date noted on your Form DS-2019, you will have a 30 day grace period to prepare to leave the U.S. Any changes to your program must be made before your program end date.
There are many factors that impact a student in J-1 status when they reach the completion of their program including but not limited to the two year home residency requirement. We strongly recommend that you meet with your ISSO Advisor if you have any questions about your status.
Helpful Resources