Work On-Campus
During the normal course of the semester, a student is allowed to work for 20 hrs a week within the university. This job may not necessarily be related to the student’s program of study and can include part time work in research labs, administrative roles, library positions and grading jobs among others.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
A student is allowed to work outside the university during semester breaks for a total number of 364 days, if required as part of the program curriculum. Employment on CPT must be related to the student’s program of study and may not commence prior to completion of 9 months of full-time study.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Upon completion of their education, international students are allowed to work outside the university, in a position related to the area of study on obtaining the Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization.
For students graduating from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs, 29 months of OPT work is permitted if the employer is enrolled in the E-Verify program operated by USCIS. Programs that qualify as STEM are listed below, however, it is important that you check for updates as this list keeps changing.
STEM Programs:
- Computer Science Applications
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Engineering
- Actuarial Science
- Military Technologies
- Engineering Technologies
- Science Technologies
- Physical Sciences
- Medical Scientist
For all other programs, the duration of OPT work is limited to 12 months.