The Economics Career Center is available to assist MSPE students in your career search. Click the buttons below for more information. The Illinois Career Center and Graduate College Career Development are also available to help.

Career Services Career Advising Career Resources

International Students Employment in the US

F-1 Students

• Curricular practical training (CPT) may be authorized under certain circumstances to allow F-1 students temporary off-campus employment. Eligible students in the MSPE Program may pursue a CPT. As part of the CPT, students will be required to register and successfully complete an internship course (Econ 298: Professional Economics Internship) for zero credit hours. Students will be assessed the applicable university tuition and fees for this course.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows F-1 students to work in the United States to build work experience in the degree earned. Up to twelve month’s work authorization commences upon completion of the MSPE degree program.

• OPT STEM (24-month extension): Since the MSPE Program is a STEM-designated program (CIP Code 45.0603), international students are allowed to apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT, provided certain employment conditions have been met.

J-1 Students

• Academic Training (AT) allows J-1 students to accept off campus employment directly related to their field of study. AT may not exceed a cumulative total of 18 months or the period of full course study in the United States, whichever is less. J-1 program sponsors must approve AT.

General information for F-1 students and J-1 students can be found in the following links which are located on the International Student and Scholar Services website. 

F-1 CPT F-1 OPT F-1 OPT STEM J-1 AT