Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training is an opportunity for those studying in the United States with an F-1 visa to apply their knowledge with practical work experience. If you successfully complete the {{ program.immersives[0].shortName }} and {{ program.immersives[1].shortName }} Immersives, you'll be eligible to apply for paid temporary work authorization in the U.S., also known as Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Imagine yourself {{ program.future }}
With OPT, you can apply everything you've learned to real-world projects and gain valuable work experience.
Internships
If you successfully complete the {{ program.immersives[0].shortName }} or {{ program.immersives[1].shortName }} Immersive—or both—you can start participating in a three-month internship at a leading San Francisco or Silicon Valley company!
- Put your newfound skills to work
- Gain work experience
- Build connections
- Expand your network
You'll see firsthand how a U.S. business runs, giving you a competitive edge when you're ready to land a full-time position in {{ program.shortName }}.
Cost: $3,000 (USD).
Career Development (CEU)
Gain career orientation and hands-on training for successful job placement and career advancement.
This special course includes workshops on soft skills, interview methods and technical skills, as well as personalized career coaching and professional network development.
International Students Study Options
This program meets visa requirements for full-time study and meets
eligibility requirements for
internships and Optional Practical Training (OPT).
{{ program.name }} English-Language Proficiency Requirement
Whether you are a student, working professional or lifelong learner, you
will need to demonstrate English proficiency to be considered for
admission into any of our programs for international students.
Because English-language proficiency test centers are closed due to COVID-19, you can meet our English-language requirement in any of the following ways:
Test Scores
- TOEFL: 90
- IELTS Academic Format: 7
- DAAD: C1
- Cambridge C1 Advanced
- TEM-4 or TEM-8: 70
Scores must be from the past two years.
Interview
You can request an interview in your application if you have earned any one of the following minimum scores:
- TOEFL: 79–89
- IELTS Academic Format: 6.5
- TOEIC: 700 or above
- ELS Level 112 with an ELS GPA of 3.0
Or
-
You can satisfy the English proficiency requirement if you have passed an interview with a UC Berkeley Extension recruiter. Interviews are held in your home country.
Waiver
You may request a waiver if you meet one of the following
requirements:
-
You have completed one year of full-time college-level instruction
entirely in the English language.
-
You have successfully completed a university-level program in a
country where English is the official language.
-
You are from a country on the exempt list.
Contact an adviserContact an adviser
for more information.
Immersives Attendance Requirement
Immersives are full-time,
cohort-based programs. In order to maintain your visa status, you must
attend all scheduled course meetings.
F1 Visa Application and F1 Transfer Process
If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United
States, you must apply for an F1 student visa to attend this certificate
program. Read more information about student visas.
Talk to an Adviser
