Related Pages

Do you have questions about off-campus employment options that aren’t answered by our Optional Practical Training, Unpaid Internships & Volunteer Work, or Curricular Practical Training pages? Look no further!

Within the US

Working with International Organizations

The STEM extension is a 24-month extension to Post-Completion OPT. F-1 students who graduated with a major in certain science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields and are on post-completion OPT may apply for the STEM extension if they meet all the eligibility requirements.

Pre-Completion OPT is Optional Practical Training (OPT) for working before graduating from Amherst College.

When applying for OPT, it’s very important to submit a complete application. Here you will find a guide to help you prepare all of the documents that should be submitted to the USCIS.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an F-1 status benefit designed to support academic programs that require practical experience for credit and degree completion.

Obvious examples are programs in nursing or teaching, which require a practicum placement for the completion of a particular course and/or the degree. Amherst College does not confer academic credit for internships, and is thus unable to authorize CPT in most circumstances.

The criteria for an internship to qualify as CPT include:

Did you know that F-1 students are authorized to work on campus? Learn more about the process and restrictions by exploring the links below.

Have more questions? Visit us during advising hours or email us!

Interested in off-campus work options? Please remember that any type of off-campus work as an F-1 or J-1 international student requires prior government authorization.

Learn more about the different types of off-campus work authorization by exploring these pages. When in doubt, consult with the Center for International Student Engagement (CISE) by visiting us during advising hours or emailing us. 

Post-Completion OPT is Optional Practical Training (OPT) that you use to work after graduating from Amherst College.

Remember, OPT is authorization for employment that is directly related to your major field of study and is only for students in F-1 status.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is F-1 employment authorization for off-campus work that is directly related to your major field of study.