J-1 Academic Training

Academic Training is a form of employment authorization for students in J-1 status to obtain practical experience in their field of study as listed on the DS-2019. Academic Training may be:

  • With or without wages;
  • During the course of studies; or
  • After completion of the course of study.

Undergraduate and Master’s Degree Seeking Students

Undergraduate and graduate students at the master’s degree level are eligible for up to 18 months of Academic Training, but they may never be approved for Academic Training for longer than the length of the academic program. In other words:

  • If your program of study is longer than 18 months, you may have up to 18 months of Academic Training.
  • If your program of study is nine months, you may have up to nine months of Academic Training.

There is no distinction between full-time and part-time Academic Training. Whether a student works part-time or full-time, a day of authorized Academic Training is counted as a day of Academic Training.

Ph.D. Degree Seeking Students

Doctoral (Ph.D.) students are eligible for up to 36 months (three years) of Academic Training, but they may never be approved for Academic Training for longer than the length of the academic program. In other words:

  • If it takes you more than three years to complete your Ph.D., you may have up to 36 months (three years) of Academic Training.
  • If it takes you two years to complete your Ph.D. you may have up to two years of Academic Training.

There is no distinction between full-time and part-time Academic Training. Whether a student works part-time or full-time, a day of authorized Academic Training is counted as a day of Academic Training.

Applying for J-1 Academic Training

J-1 students whose DS-2019s were not issued by Syracuse University must contact their J-1 Program Sponsor (Fulbright, IIE, USAID, etc.) for instructions on eligibility and procedures for Academic Training.

J-1 students whose DS-2019s were issued by Syracuse University will need to complete the following steps to apply for J-1 Academic Training. Please note, the Academic Training application must be:

  • Filed before the end date of the academic program of study (which may be earlier than the end date on the DS-2019).
  • Approved in advance of the Training start date (which must be within 30 days of the end date of the academic program of study).

Secure an Academic Training opportunity in your field of study. Obtain a letter from your Academic Training employer/organization confirming the opportunity, dates and salary/wage, if any.

Your academic department must recommend you for Academic Training in a letter, written on departmental letterhead. This letter must include:

  • The date of completion of the student’s degree.
  • Goals and objectives for the training program.
  • A description of the training program, including:
    • Academic Training site name.
    • Academic Training site address.
    • Academic Training supervisor’s name.
    • Academic Training supervisor’s phone number.
    • Academic Training supervisor’s email.
    • Number of hours of work per week.
    • Dates of the training.
  • How the training relates to the student’s major field of study.
  • Why it is an integral part of the student’s academic program.

If your Academic Training is unpaid or your salary/wage does not meet your estimated expenses, you will need to provide proof of financial support for you and your dependents for the duration of your Academic Training.

Financial support may include:

  • Personal funds.
  • Family funds.
  • Syracuse University scholarship or assistantship.
  • Government scholarship​​​​​​.

Financial support documents may include:

  • Bank statement (must be a recent statement, less than six months old).
  • Support letter from a financial sponsor and proof of their ability to provide funding.
  • Scholarship and/or assistantship award letter.

  1. Log in to the International Student and Scholar (ISSS) Portal through MySlice. If you do not have access to the Portal, please email the Center for International Services with a detailed description of the issue (include screenshots if possible) or visit the Center for International Services during walk-in advising (Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.).
  2. Go to the Student Request Center.
  3. Find the Academic Training Request.
  4. Complete the questionnaire.
  5. Upload the required documents:
    1. Academic Department Recommendation Letter
    2. Letter from Academic Training Employer/Organization
    3. I-94 Arrival Record
    4. I-94 Travel History
    5. Proof of Financial Support (if required)
    6. Proof of Health Insurance
  6. Submit request.

Once your request is submitted, an advisor will review your request and contact you if any clarification is needed. Within 3-5 business days of submitting your request, you will receive an email indicating that your DS-2019 authorizing Academic Training is available for pick-up from our office. If necessary, your J-1 status will be extended for the period of approved Academic Training.