Field Education Guidelines for International Students

1. International students holding one of the following two documents can participate in off-campus practicum/work, also known as practical training:

  • 1.1 Optional Practical Training (OPT): Students must possess Evidence of Authorized Documentation (EAD) approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
  • 1.2 Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Students must possess documentation issued by the seminary.

2. International students applying for CPT when accepted for theological internships by churches/organizations:

  • 2.1 Need complete I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) and W-4 (Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate).
  • 2.2 Please have the seminary students present their I-20 for verification, ensuring it is signed by the school official, along with their driver’s license or student ID.
  • 2.3 Please use the W-2 form for tax purposes.
  • 2.4 International students are exempt from Social Security and Medicare tax withholding. (please refer to ‘What Employers should know about Hiring International Students’)

3. Course Enrolment:

  • 3.1 Student internships require students to independently find internships at churches or evangelical organizations.
    • a. MACS/MAFM/MAICS may enrol elective Field Education Guided Study courses (FES535/FES536)
    • b. MDiv students must enrol for the two-semester FES5xx series 1-credit internship course: ‘FES501 Field Education I’ and FES502 Field Education II’.
  • 3.2 For Master of Divinity (M.Div.) students who have already completed the two-semester internship course at the seminary but wish to intern at a church/organization and receive a stipend, they must register for the 1-credit FES53x series ‘Field Education Guided Study’. A maximum of 2 credits from Field Education can count toward graduation credits.
  • 3.3 For Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) students who wish to intern at a church/organization and receive a stipend, they must register for the 1-credit FES8xx series ‘Practicum Guided Study’. Internship credits may not exceed a total of 3 credits towards graduation requirements.

4. International students employed as interns by churches/organizations must comply with tax regulations.

* International students may begin applying for OPT (Optional Practical Training) up to 60-90 days before graduation.