Gannon University

co-ops, internships, and practical training

International students considering employment must contact a staff member of the International Student Office (814-871-7030) to review employment regulations and eligibility for employment authorization.

The Center for Experiential Education will provide assistance in preparing students for certain co-op/internship placements, as well as assistance in securing a placement.   Students must   provide necessary documentation stating that they have legal authorization to work in the United States (participate in a paid experience) and meet the standards of the Center for Experiential Education before beginning employment.

Students must check with each employer regarding the organization’s legal documentation requirement.

On-Campus Employment

• Must either be performed on the school’s premises (including on-location commercial firms which provide direct services for students on campus, such as the university bookstore or cafeteria), or at an off-campus location which is educationally affiliated with the school.

• Authorized employment must not exceed 20 hours a week while school is in session.

• An F-1 student may work on campus full-time when school is not in session or during the annual vacation.

Off-Campus Employment

Practical training is available to F-1 students who have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis in a Department of Homeland Security approved college, university, conservatory, or seminary for one academic year.

An eligible F-1 student may request employment authorization for practical training in a position which is directly related to his or her major area of study.   Two types of practical training are available:

Curricular Practical Training   (CPT)

• An F-1 student may be authorized by the DSO to participate in a curricular practical training program which is an integral part of an established curriculum.

• Exceptions to the one academic year in status requirement are provided for students enrolled in graduate studies which require immediate participation in curricular practical training.

• A request for authorization for curricular practical training must be made through the International Student Office once all other departmental requirements have been met.

Optional Practical Training  (OPT)

Optional Practical training is available to F-1 students who have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis in a Department of Homeland Security approved college, university, conservatory, or seminary for a least one academic year.  Students may apply for both pre-completion and post-completion OPT authorization.

• Work Authorization on OPT is for a total of 12 months.

• Students may apply for pre-completion OPT up to 90 days before the end of the first academic year and 120 days before the projected pre-completion OPT start date.  Students may apply for post-completion OPT up to 3 months prior to graduation and 60 days following graduation.

• Students must attend an information session and then meet with a member of the International Student Office to review their OPT application and process a new SEVIS I-20.

Permanent Resident Status:     According to NACE, a permanent resident visa is granted because of family ties; marriage to a U.S. citizen; or because the visa holder is a priority worker (possesses extraordinary ability, is an outstanding researcher, a multinational manager, a professional with an advanced degree and exceptional ability, or a skilled worker and professional).   Proof of the individual’s credentials is required for each employment visa category---priority, advanced degree/exceptional ability, or skilled worker.   Once a permanent resident visa is granted, the individual may attend school or work anywhere in the United States without obtaining additional work authorization.