Northern Virginia Center

F-1 Employment

Cooperative Education - Curricular Practical Training

Cooperative education is a unique opportunity for graduate students to gain valuable on-the-job experience to enhance their academic training while pursuing a degree program. Professional employment allows co-op students not only to apply the knowledge they have acquired in class but also to gain a new perspective on their major fields of study. A co-op experience is thus intended to be an integral part of a graduate student's academic program.

Qualifications for Graduate Cooperative Education
In order for you to be eligible for a co-op program, you must:

  • Have your academic advisor's permission
  • Have a GPA of at least 3.0 ("B" average)
  • Be making progress toward your degree
  • Register for three credits within your academic department during CO-OP
  • Work full-time for at least one academic term, but not more than 12 months*
  • Completed two academic semesters in F-1 status
  • Must enroll for a minimum of 3 credits after co-op
  • Employment Offer Letter, related to your field
  • Approved plan of study

*Note to International Students: Immigration regulations state that F-1 students who take a full 12 month co-op assignment will forfeit the optional practical training period.

Please note that you cannot enroll in a cooperative education program at the end of your degree program. The Graduate School aims to facilitate the completion of your degree program. Cooperative education is not to be considered a form of financial aid. International graduate students may qualify for co-op employment but should be advised of the nine-month minimum requirement on F-1 student status, under the provisions of Curricular Practical Training, according to Immigration regulations; see Marija Telbis-Forster in northern Virginia, 703.538.3743. 

Procedures for Participation in a Graduate co-op Program

  • CO-OP/CPT PACKET
  • Register for three credit hours
  • Copy of your approved plan of study
  • Payment of course
  • Attach company offer letter (see attached example)
    • The Graduate School will add Cooperative Education to your transcript, which will designate you as a full-time student while on your co-op assignment.

Deadlines

Please observe the following enrollment deadlines (effective each year):

  • Fall or Spring Semester: Monday, one week before classes begin
  • Summer: Monday, two weeks before classes begin


Optional Practical Training (OPT)

If you have been in F-1 status for at least 9 months (two academic semesters) you are eligible for optional practical training (OPT) which is temporary employment in your current field of study for purposes of gaining practical experience.

You may receive twelve months of practical training for each academic level (Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate) For part-time (20 hrs or less per week) OPT only half time is deducted from the 12 months (e.g. for 4 months of part-time OPT only 2 months is deducted.)

You may apply for authorization for optional practical training directly related to your major area of study in the following cases:

  • During your annual vacation (summer) as long as you intend to register for the next semester. It is advisable to have a job offer at the time of application in this case. The job can be full or part-time.

  • While school is in session, provided that practical training does not exceed twenty hours a week. Must have a job offer before applying. Total number of work hours must not exceed 20hrs/wk, including on-campus jobs.

  • After completion of course requirements except thesis/dissertation. Should have a job offer before applying.

  • For post completion OPT the application must be submitted before the completion of your program or before the ending date of your I-20, whichever comes first. The start date of the OPT must be within 60 days of your program completion.

Training Checklist:

If you meet these qualifications, you can proceed with the application for practical training authorization. Upon completion of all the forms, the international student advisor will review your application and decide either to recommend or not recommend your application for submission to BCIS for adjudication. Application packets are available online or with the international student advisor.  A new SEVIS I-20 will be issued with the recommendation of OPT. You will have to pick up your new I-20 form after processing has been completed.

nternational students are required by law to maintain an up-to-date permanent and local address with the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Registrar and to update Virginia Tech and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security of any address changes within 10 days.

Please note that this long-standing requirement, once rarely enforced, is now strictly upheld by the Department of Homeland Security. Failure to comply may lead to a fine or other consequences. Additionally, please update your Hokie SPA and inform the international student advisor at the Northern Virginia Center.