To qualify for AT, you and your employer must meet the following requirements:

• You must be a J-1 student with a CMU issued DS-2019
• You must be in the U.S. primarily to study rather than to participate in AT.
• You need to have a specific position that is directly related to your major field of study. AT authorization is job and employer-specific.
• If you are applying for AT after completing your program, the position must be paid – it cannot be an unpaid position. Although regulations do not specify the minimum amount of pay, the payment or compensation must meet current federal minimum pay guidelines.
• You need to be in good academic standing.

You must first get approval from OIE to participate in AT. You should begin the application process at least two weeks before you plan to begin employment. AT cannot be authorized after your DS-2019 has expired, so plan accordingly. If you leave the U.S. after completing your studies without applying for AT, you are no longer eligible to apply for the training. 

To request AT from OIE, please email the following documents to oie@andrew.cmu.edu:

1. OIE's AT Canvas Course Final Assessment results screenshot
2. An offer letter from your AT employer. The letter must include:
   1. Your job title.
   2. A brief description of the "goals and objectives" of your employment.
   3. The dates and location of your employment.
   4. The number of hours per week.
   5. The salary amount (this is required if AT is after the completion of your academic program).
   6.  The name and address of your "training supervisor."
3. Employer Attestation
   1. The employer that you worked for with AT must also complete an attestation, certifying your employment details and their awareness of your goals during the Academic Training Period.

4. Academic Department Recommendation
   1. Your academic advisor must complete and sign OIE's Academic Training Form (PDF).

• AT authorization is limited to the total period of study for the program or 18 months, whichever is shorter, except for students who complete Ph.D. programs.
• Students who complete Ph.D. programs are eligible for an additional 18-month period (beyond the first 18 months) for up to 36 months of AT. You will need to request a new DS-2019 form for the second 18-month period.
• Earning more than one degree does not increase your eligibility for AT. AT is cumulative, so if you use six months of AT after a bachelor's degree, you have 12 months of AT eligibility remaining if you pursue another degree.
• All AT is deducted from the total amount of AT you are allowed at a full-time rate. You may participate in AT either during or after your academic program. If you choose to pursue AT during your program, it should not interfere with or delay your studies.
• Throughout your AT, you must maintain legal J-1 student status in the U.S. You will need to stay up to date with applying for extensions of your DS-2019 before the expiration of the document and maintain health insurance coverage for yourself and any other J-2 dependents.
• Your lawful J-1 status ends 30 days after you complete your degree requirements or at the end of your DS-2019 form, whichever is sooner. If you apply for AT, your J status ends 30 days after the program end date listed on the DS-2019 issued for AT.

Exchange visitors on academic training also continue to be responsible for notifying their RO/ARO with any change in address, telephone number, or email address, within 10 calendar days of the change. These updates should be shared via an email to OIE or your OIE advisor.

Academic Training Evaluation

Each time you leave an employer, you and your academic advisor must complete the Academic Training Evaluation (PDF). You should send the AT Evaluation Form to OIE within 10 days after your employment end date.

Changing Employers

Students changing employers must go through the AT application process listed above again to obtain authorization for the training opportunity. They must also submit an AT evaluation for the previous employment. There is no unemployment gap permitted between periods of academic training authorization.