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International Office

Student Employment Options

All Scripps graduate students in F-1 or J-1 immigration status should contact the International Office prior to starting any work in order to verify their eligibility for such employment.

F-1 students

Students in F-1 status may work on-campus at Scripps Research as long as they maintain normal progress in their academic program and with the permission of their graduate coordinator.

During their program they may also be eligible for work at an off-campus location that is affiliated with the institute if the work is integral to the student’s academic program. The student must request written authorization from the International Office prior to starting any off-campus work.

Students in F-1 status may also be eligible for off-campus employment authorized as practical training. There are two types of practical training; Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT may be authorized for employment that is an integral component of your academic program; CPT may be used during your program and is unlimited as long as it is a program requirement. Student may also be authorized for up to one year of OPT which is employment that is directly related to your studies at Scripps but not required for your academic program. OPT may be authorized during or immediately following the completion of your program. While CPT is authorized by the International Office in usually 7 to 10 days, OPT, once approved by the International Office must be submitted to the USCIS for final authorization, a process that can take 90 days or longer. It is important to apply early!

As of March 2012, The Scripps Research Institute is now a participant in the E-Verify program. Students employed on F-1 OPT now have the option to extend their OPT for 17 additional months using the STEM extension. Please contact your sponsoring institution for information.

J-1 Students

Students in J-1 status may work on-campus at Scripps Research as long as they maintain normal progress in the academic program and with the permission of their graduate coordinator.

During their program they may also be eligible for work at an off-campus location if the work is integral to the student’s academic program. This type of work is authorized as Academic Training. All Academic Training must be recommended by the student’s graduate coordinator, and authorized in advance in writing by the International Office. J-1 students are eligible for 18 months of Academic Training and may also be eligible for an additional 18 months for post-doctoral training. Academic Training is authorized by the International Office usually in 7 to 10 days.