J-1 Student Interns

The J-1 student intern visa program is for international students participating in an internship program at CWRU that will fulfill the educational objectives of their current degree programs at their home institutions. Students must be enrolled and pursuing a degree in an academic institution outside the United States.

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible, student interns must:

  • be enrolled in and pursuing a degree program at an accredited post-secondary academic institution outside of the United States
  • be in good academic standing with their home institution
  • return to the home institution to resume studies upon completion of the CWRU internship
  • possess English language skills sufficient to function on a day-to-day basis i the internship environment
  • have sufficient funding to support themselves during the entire stay
  • comply with the requirement of having health insurance while participating in the J-1 program

Internships must also meet the following criteria:

  • minimum length of 21 days
  • maximum length of 1 year
  • must be full-time (at least 32 hours)
  • can be paid or unpaid
  • must expose student intern to American techniques, methodologies, and technologies
  • must expand upon student intern's existing skills and knowledge
  • must not duplicate student intern's prior experience
  • must ensure that the internship duties are not more than 20% clerical work
  • must not be in the field of aviation or include clinical or patient care of any kind.

English Language Verification Options:

Current Undergraduate Students:

  • IELTS: 6.5
  • TOEFL: 90
  • PTE Academic: 61

Current Graduate Students:

  • IELTS: 7
  • TOEFL: 90
  • PTE Academic: 61

If a student has not taken the exams mentioned, or it has been more than 2 years since date of last test, the department can fill needs to complete the English Proficiency Verification Form.