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Employment

On-Campus Employment

F-1 students that are maintaining status are authorized to work up to 20 hours per week on-campus during the academic year, and full-time during authorized vacations (i.e., summer).

Federal regulations require any person who is employed in the U.S. to complete section 1 of the form I-9 no later than their first day of employment, and for the employer to verify authorization to work within the first 3 days of employment. ISA processes I-9s for all foreign nationals who are students at the Peabody Conservatory.

Curricular Practical Training  & Optional Practical Training

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Eligibility Requrements
Part-time vs. Full-Time
When to Apply
Application Procedure
Authorization

Curricular Practical Training is a work authorization that allows an F-1 student to engage in work opportunity that is an integral part of an established curriculum. At Peabody, this language is interpreted to mean that the student is engaging in an internship that is a required component of their degree program.

CPT Eligibility requirements:

  • Student is in good academic standing.
  • Student has been enrolled as an F-1 student for at least one academic year (Fall & Spring semester).
  • Student has maintained lawful F-1 status.
  • Student has not completed the degree program.
  • The employment is related to the field of study and appropriate with the level of study.
  • The employment or internship does not exceed 20 hours per week during the school year. Students who work on-campus or have an assistantship for 20 hours per week are not eligible for CPT during the academic year.

Criteria for employment to be considered CPT:

In order for employment to be considered under Curricular Practical Training guidelines, the following parameter must be met:

  • Students are required to be enrolled in Course number PY 530-997 for each semester that CPT is authorized. Please register with Academic Affairs and bring
    • (1) the yellow receipt
    • (2) the Faculty Recommendation
    • (3) Employer letter at the SAME TIME to the International Advisor.

Part-time vs. Full-time

  • In most circumstances, F-1 students are eligible for part-time (20 hours per week or less) during the fall and spring semesters. You must maintain full-time enrollment at the university during the academic year. Students whose assistantships require them to work 20 hours per week on-campus are not eligible for CPT during the academic year.
  • Full-time (21 hours per week and above) CPT is available during summer vacations, but requires the same authorization and approval process.
  • F-1 students who engage in 12 months of full-time CPT are not eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

When to Apply

You are eligible to apply for CPT any time before beginning of the employment/internship.

  • Employment is not authorized until you have received an I-20 with the CPT authorization. Working prior to authorization is a direct violation of the F-1 status.

 Application Procedure

CPT Application

Please bring the following documents to ISA:

  • A letter from the employer indicating:
    •  Job title;
    • Start and end dates of employment;
    • Number of hours per week;
    • Wage or salary;
    • Location of employment. If the location of employment will be on the site of a separate employer, then list the name of that employer as well as the name and address of the employer of record (i.e., the entity that will issue the paycheck).
    • Description of work.
  • Completed Faculty Recommendation For Authorization of Curricular Practical Training Form
  • Evidence of enrollment in the appropriate course.

Authorization

  • Once you have obtained the information requested, call the ISA to make an appointment. 
  • Bring the completed CPT application package with you
  • If approved, the advisor will authorize CPT and make the appropriate notation on your current I-20. The endorsed I-20 is the official document authorizing the employment.
  • CPT authorization must be approved every semester, even if the employer is the same

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Eligibility Criteria
Types of OPT
Time Allowed
Study on OPT

Optional Practical Training allows F-1 students to engage in a work experience that is related to their field and commensurate with their level of study.

Eligibility criteria

  • Must be in valid F-1 status for one academic year (Fall & Spring semesters);
  • You must be in good academic standing.

Types of OPT

Time Allowed 

USCIS will authorize an initial period of 12 months of full-time OPT at each successively higher degree level (i.e., Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate). 

Study on OPT 

You may NOT enter into another degree program during your OPT. Only part-time study, not towards a degree or certificate, is allowed.

You may decide to apply to another academic program, either at Peabody or another university. However, once you are admitted to another degree program, it is important to discuss the situation with the ISA advisor, as the issuance of a new I-20 will terminate your OPT. If you are admitted to a degree program at another university, ISA must your I-20 to that institution so they may issue a new I-20 for you. More information about transferring out of Peabody/JHU can be found here.

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