Academic Training (AT)
Students may participate in academic training with or without wages or other remuneration during their studies if:
- The student is in the U.S. primarily to study rather than engage in academic training.
- Academic training is directly related to the student’s major field of study at the post-secondary accredited educational institution listed on the Form DS-2019.
- The academic dean or advisor and the responsible officer at their sponsor organization approves such training.
- If the participant receives wages or other remuneration for the training, the responsible officer at the sponsoring organization must authorize the duration and type of training in writing before the student takes part in the training.
Academic training can be practicums, clinicals, or student teaching.
The training may take place during the student’s studies, or may commence no later than 30 days following the completion of the student’s studies.
Length of Academic Training
Undergraduate or Pre-Doctoral Students:
The length of academic training may not exceed 18 months, including any prior academic training in the U.S., or the period of full-course of study, whichever is less. However, academic training for a longer period is allowed to the extent necessary for students to satisfy the requirements for their degree programs.
Postdoctoral Students:
The length of academic training may not exceed 36 months, inclusive of any prior academic training in the U.S., or the duration of the student’s full-course of study in the U.S., whichever is less. A new Form DS-2019 is issued for every 18-month period of academic training for postdoctoral students.
