Regardless of who your Responsible Officer is, you should follow the procedure detailed below to get written authorization:

1. The prospective employer must issue a formal job offer letter to you with the following information:
   
   • Name of supervisor
   • Supervisor contact info (address, phone, fax, & email)
   • Job title
   • Job description
   • Description of training (must be integral to field of study.)
   • Job site address
   • Start date
   • End date
   • Number of hours to be working
   • Pay or full honorarium amount
     
2. You must submit a copy of the above letter to your department.
3. Your department must issue a formal letter to the Responsible Officer explaining that the proposed employment:
   • Does not conflict with Exchange Visitor's responsibilities to the department and will in no way cause the Exchange Visitor to be delayed in fulfilling his/her duties to the department
   • Is recommended as it is consistent with the purposes of the exchange visit and lists the skills related to the field of study that will be learned during this training.
     
     Note:  If department and employer are one and the same, a single letter combining all the details of points #1 & #3 will do.
4. Upon receipt of both letters above, the Responsible Officer will issue to the prospective employee a formal letter authorizing academic training (employment) and if necessary update SEVIS to indicate extension for duration of Academic training and the academic training salary as a means of funding.
5. Unpaid academic training is possible when another source of documented funding is available for the duration of the training.
6. Living Expenses for the 2008 -2009 year are estimated at $20,700 per year
7. Academic training may be authorized pre- or post-completion for the equivalent of the number of months of study to a maximum of 18 months. Students who are in receipt of their doctoral degree are eligible for a limit of 36 months of academic training.
8. Post completion academic training must be approved prior to the expiration date on the DS-2019 and within 30 days of the completion of the degree program.
9. Only after the authorizing letter from the Responsible Officer is submitted to the prospective employer may you actually begin working.
10. Students whose visas have expired or will expire during the period of academic training must consult with the Responsible Officer prior to travel outside the US. It may be difficult to obtain a new visa while outside the US.
11. Students may be employed by one or more employers but each instance of employment whether paid or unpaid must be authorized prior to the start of the employment.

J-1 students may seek employment within the three specified types of employment described below. However, the decision of whether to grant employment authorization is at the discretion of your Responsible Officer. If your Responsible Officer is not part of The New School, you will need to learn your sponsoring organization's policies regarding work authorization. For example, as a general rule, IIE/Fulbright does not authorize employment during the first semester because you are expected to use that time to adjust to your new life as a full-time student in the USA.

On-campus employment
Students are allowed to work on campus from the time they arrive in the USA in J–1 Exchange Visitor status to attend The New School. On-campus employment DOES require written authorization before you may begin working. Employment must be limited to 20 hours per week while classes are in session, but can be full-time during official breaks and vacations. The Student Employment Office handles on-campus jobs and can let you know what jobs are available. Go to the Student Employment Office, 65 Fifth Avenue, Mezzanine, to apply.
This category includes employment pursuant to the terms of a scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship that is deemed to be part of your academic program.

Academic Training
This type of employment must be critical and integral to your academic program of study. You are allowed one month of Academic Training for each month you are enrolled full time in your program of study. It is limited to a maximum of 18 full months for your entire academic career. (In other words, if you complete an undergraduate degree and then a graduate degree the total Academic Training permitted is still only 18 full months.) However, once students finish all requirements for their PhD, they are eligible for up to 36 months of Academic Training. Most students use this type of authorization after completing their programs of study, but some students may also do Academic Training before graduation. Talk to your International Student Advisor to discuss your options.

Severe Economic Hardship
Employment due to unforeseen and severe economic difficulties may be authorized in extreme situations. Circumstances may include a loss of financial aid, substantial changes in the value of currency, unexpected financial difficulties of your sponsor, medical bills, or large increases in the cost of tuition or living expenses.

J-2 Dependent Employment
Your J-2 dependent(s) may apply to the Department of Homeland Security to get authorization to work provided that the purpose of the employment is not to support you as the J–1, but to enhance the J-2's participation in the Exchange Visitor Program—to also take part in cultural and educational exchange.