Note: Each of the following 4 work options has a separate handout that provides you with a checklist for applying for the program.  These handouts are available at the International Office or on this website download page.

Option 1: On-Campus Employment

F-1 students may engage in on-campus employment if they do not displace an American worker and as long as it is limited to part-time (20 hours or less per week) during main semesters when school is in session or full-time (more than 20 hours a week) during the summer and official school breaks when school is not in session. At Texas State summer employment is limited to 25 hours/week when taking classes. If not taking classes there is no limit. 

Work is limited to employers who are located on campus and provide direct services to students. If you are concurrently enrolled at another campus, you may only work at the campus named on your I-20. Employment may be in any field and is not restricted to your academic major. 

WARNING: Although no specific authorization for on-campus employment is required, you must remember that on-campus employment is contingent on maintaining your full-time student status. For example, if you drop below full-time hours without authorization from our office, your permission to work on-campus is immediately canceled. If you continue to work you are violating U.S. law and may be legally removed from the U.S.

Option 2: Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training is only available to F-1 students who are and have been lawfully enrolled as a full-time student for at least nine consecutive months and are currently in status. The only exception is graduate students who are required to begin a required practicum or internship immediately. CPT can be authorized for part-time employment (20 hours a week or less) or full-time employment (more than 20 hours a week).  Authorization for CPT must be renewed each semester that you wish to participate.

There are two kinds of CPT:

1) For Academic Credit: Refers to training that is a part of your degree program (a course) and for which academic credit is obtained.  Only a limited number of majors at Texas State have a required practicum or internship (e.g. Graduate Computer Science). Aside from receiving authorization through our office for this program, you must also register for academic credit with your college. Please see your academic advisor  for more information.

2) Non-Credit COOP: This program refers to cooperative agreements between employers and a university. Unfortunately, Texas State does not have such a program at this time.  However, the International Office is working to help establish such a program. Students who accumulate one year or more of full-time CPT (either type) are not eligible for Optional Practical Training (a separate program), which is usually authorized after the completion of a degree program.

Option 3: Severe Economic Hardship Work Authorization

As an F-1 student, you may be eligible to apply to the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship. Once authorized, this program allows you to work in any kind of job off-campus. You are limited to part-time employment (a maximum of 20 hours per week) during the fall and spring semesters. You must also maintain a full course of study during the fall and spring semesters. You can work full-time during the summer or officially recognized school breaks. To be authorized, you must prove that you have severe economic hardship that is due to a change in your circumstances that are beyond your control or ability to predict. Authorization is usually granted for one year at a time. If authorized, you will receive an Employment Authorization Card from the CIS.

Some GA's, RA's and TA's may not be eligible for this program, if most of their support is provided by the assistantship.

Option 4: Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is available to F-1 students who are currently in legal status and have been for at least nine consecutive months. OPT allows you to work up to 12 months anywhere in the U.S. in a field related to your major and does not require proof of employment. Standard OPT (including both pre-completion OPT and standard post-completion OPT) can be authorized for a maximum aggregate period of 12 months per educational level. A student becomes eligible for another 12 months of practical training when he or she changes to a higher educational level.

Applications must be submitted before completion of your program of study and can be submitted up to 90 days before completion of your studies.  It is important to realize that your completion date does not necessarily correspond with the official ending of the semester (e.g., it may be the day your thesis is submitted). Since the application process may take up to 90 days and employment cannot begin until you have received an Employment Authorization Card, we recommend that you apply early. 

Whatever time period is authorized by U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) cannot be changed or retrieved once the start date has taken effect, even if you do not use your OPT.