Degree-seeking international students are welcome to participate in UCSB's Capital Internship Program, which consists of UCDC and UCCS. For in-depth program information, including how to apply, head over to the Capital Internship website. 

OISS can support international students' program participation by advising on and authorizing required employment authorizations (CPT or Academic Training). 

EAP students who may be interested in participating in UCDC should contact UCSB EAP. EAP students are not eligible to participate in UCCS. 

Please contact your assigned student advisor with questions about participating as an international student. 

Steps to Follow After Acceptance

Once students are accepted into the UCDC or UCCS program, they should follow these steps. 

  1. Fill out the "UCDC Form Signature" e-form in UCSBGlobal. Upload the "International Students Only" form from UCDC. An OISS advisor will sign it and email it back to the student. 
  2. An OISS advisor will reach out to the student to schedule a group zoom meeting with them. Attending this meeting is mandatory and students must reschedule if they cannot make it to the group meeting. 
  3. Secure internship and apply for appropriate employment authorization. 
     

Employment

For both UCDC and UCCS, internships are required. Before beginning your internship, be sure to apply for the appropriate work authorization. If you begin your internship prior to having an approved work authorization, you will be in violation of your visa status which may lead to termination of your SEVIS record. Please refer to the section below that applies to your visa status.

F-1 Students

All F-1 students must apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to engage in a UCDC or UCCS internship. Please be sure to read the full CPT policy. Here are some notes to keep in mind: 

  • The internship must be directly related to the student's major
  • Students do not need to register in the traditional CPT internship course (e.g. “Internship in Industry”) because they’ll be enrolled in a UCDC or UCCS internship course
  • UCDC internships are over 20 hours per week, so the work authorization will be full-time CPT. If students use 12 months of full-time CPT, they will not be eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). 
  • UCCS internships may be authorized for part-time CPT if the internship is 20 hours of work per week or less

When to Secure the Internship for CPT

F-1 students may leave for DC before securing their internship. However, it is highly recommended that students secure their internship and apply for CPT before departing. If they cannot find an internship in DC at all, then it is unlikely they will be able to secure 12+ units after returning to Santa Barbara. Without full-time enrollment, a student would need to take a leave of absence and depart the U.S. 

J-1 Students

All J-1 students must apply for either pre- or post-completion Academic Training (AT) to engage in a UCDC internship. Please be sure to read the full AT policy. Here are some notes to keep in mind: 

  • For degree-seeking students (i.e. Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral students), the internship must be directly related to their major. 
  • For non-degree-seeking students (i.e. EAP students), the internship may be related to any field of study as long as it is a bona fide position with a substantial academic framework. 
    • All EAP students' DS-2019s have a major code of 24.0101, which represents liberal/general studies. 
    • The internship does not need to be related to the students' major at their home university
  • If the internship takes place before the student completes their academic program, then pre-completion AT is appropriate
  • If the internship takes place after the student completes their academic program, then post-completion AT is appropriate
  • Although pre-completion AT should usually be less than 20 hours per week, UCDC is an exception and students may work 32 hours/week on pre-completion AT 

When to Secure the UCDC Internship for AT

J-1 students may leave for DC before securing their internship. However, it is highly recommended that students secure their internship and apply for Academic Training before departing. If they cannot find an internship in DC at all, then it is unlikely they will be able to secure 12+ units after returning to Santa Barbara. Without full-time enrollment, a student would need to take a leave of absence and depart the U.S. 

The exception is for students who are completing their degree programs and doing UCDC as post-completion Academic Training. These students must secure their internship and have post-completion Academic Training approved before their DS-2019 expires and before they depart for DC.