A full-time student in legal F-1 status, who has been enrolled in school for at least one academic year, may be eligible for up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) for each degree program. Full-time study in another nonimmigrant status (such as J-1, H-4, A-2) also counts towards the academic year requirement. OPT employment must be related to the student’s degree program.
Pre-completion OPT during school vacations
Any amount of full-time work used for pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available 12 months. For example, if you work full-time for 2 months during the summer, you will have 10 months of OPT remaining.
Pre-completion OPT during the school year
Part-time OPT is allowed for up to 20 hours a week, and will be deducted at a rate of one-half the number of months used. For example, if you work part-time for 2 months, 1 month will be deducted from the 12 months. You will have 11 months of OPT remaining.
Post-completion OPT
Most students at Thomas Jefferson University choose to use OPT after completing the requirements for their program. You may work full-time while on post-completion OPT. The following students are not eligible for OPT extensions: medical, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, public health, pharmacy, and radiologic sciences.
