Optional Practical Training (OPT) is work experience related to a student's academic field of study. It is designed to provide you with an opportunity to gain actual employment experience in your field of study for a maximum of one year.  An additional 17-month period of OPT can be granted to a student on post-completion OPT who completed a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) degree and meets other minimum requirements.

There are two types of Optional Practical Training: Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training and Post-Completion Optional Practical Training.

Pre-Completion Optional Practical is OPT authorized for off-campus employment before the student’s program end date. Students with approved pre-completion OPT may work up to 20 hours per week (unless on thesis or dissertation period before which all coursework has been completed) while school is in session. Students who are enrolled for the next term, and are eligible otherwise, may apply for full-time work authorization when the school is not in session.

Post-Completion Optional Practical is OPT authorized off-campus employment beginning after the student’s program end date. Note if applying for both pre-completion and post-completion OPT you must complete and submit two separate applications and fee payments. 

General Eligibility Requirements:

• Must have been registered full time, in legal student status, for a minimum of one academic year, prior to beginning OPT.
• Must have valid passport at time of application.
• Graduate students are eligible upon completion of all required coursework.

Post-Completion Optional Practical: May apply for post-completion OPT up to 90 days before their program end date and up to 60 days after their program end date. Although, application for OPT too far out after your program end date is not recommended.

IMPORTANT! Optional Practical Training (OPT) applications require that you select a start date of employment at the time of application. Therefore, careful consideration must be made when selecting the start date of employment, which must fall within the period of 60 days from the completion of your academic program. In order to best determine the start date of employment, please consider the following: Have you had any job interviews? Is there an employer requesting that you start working as soon as possible? When there is no employment in sight, some students decide to start employment as late as possible, within the sixty-day time frame from the completion of your academic program.

Pre-Completion Optional Practical: Upon completion of one academic year of full-time enrollment, may apply up to 90 days in advance of the desired start date of employment or 90 days before completing a full academic year.  Important! Optional Practical Training (OPT) applications require that you select a start date of employment at the time of application. When applying for pre-completion OPT you should already have a job arranged or in mind.

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