OPT Adjunct Instructor Jobs
Adjunct Instructor roles can qualify for OPT work authorization when the position aligns with your degree field. Most adjunct roles are part-time, so confirm your weekly hours meet USCIS reporting requirements. STEM OPT extensions may apply if your field qualifies and the institution is a qualifying employer.
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Get Access To All JobsPosting Number TMP00772PO26
Job Code Title Instructor
Advertised Title Adjunct Instructor-Law School
Campus Columbia
College/Division School of Law
Department LAW School of Law
Salary Dependent upon qualifications
Location of Vacancy
Part/Full Time Part Time
Hours per Week 20
Work Schedule
- The work schedule will vary depending upon the class schedule.
- Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Job Search Category Faculty
About USC
About University of South Carolina
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Benefits for Temporary Positions
The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers temporary employees expected to work at least 30 hours per week health and life insurance, flexible spending accounts and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu.
Advertised Job Summary
The University of South Carolina School of Law seeks adjunct professors to teach law school courses during the Fall 2026 semester. Applicants should have strong academic credentials and demonstrate a high probability of success as a teacher and a willingness to contribute to the law school’s academic community.
Qualifications
Applicants must have a J.D. and at least two years of teaching or practice experience.
Job Duties
Number of Vacancies 10
Desired Start Date 08/01/2026
Proposed End Date 12/31/2026
Job Open Date 05/08/2026
Open Until Filled Yes
Special Instructions to Applicant
Once hired, the selected candidate must submit his/her J.D. transcript for accreditation purposes.
This position is open until filled. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should a review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
EEO Statement
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Position Attributes
Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.
Safety/Security Sensitive or Requires a CDL No
Hazardous weather category Non-Essential
Posting Number TMP00772PO26
Job Code Title Instructor
Advertised Title Adjunct Instructor-Law School
Campus Columbia
College/Division School of Law
Department LAW School of Law
Salary Dependent upon qualifications
Location of Vacancy
Part/Full Time Part Time
Hours per Week 20
Work Schedule
- The work schedule will vary depending upon the class schedule.
- Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Job Search Category Faculty
About USC
About University of South Carolina
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Benefits for Temporary Positions
The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers temporary employees expected to work at least 30 hours per week health and life insurance, flexible spending accounts and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu.
Advertised Job Summary
The University of South Carolina School of Law seeks adjunct professors to teach law school courses during the Fall 2026 semester. Applicants should have strong academic credentials and demonstrate a high probability of success as a teacher and a willingness to contribute to the law school’s academic community.
Qualifications
Applicants must have a J.D. and at least two years of teaching or practice experience.
Job Duties
Number of Vacancies 10
Desired Start Date 08/01/2026
Proposed End Date 12/31/2026
Job Open Date 05/08/2026
Open Until Filled Yes
Special Instructions to Applicant
Once hired, the selected candidate must submit his/her J.D. transcript for accreditation purposes.
This position is open until filled. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should a review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
EEO Statement
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Position Attributes
Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.
Safety/Security Sensitive or Requires a CDL No
Hazardous weather category Non-Essential
See all 469+ OPT Adjunct Instructor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Adjunct Instructor Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Adjunct Instructor
Confirm your field alignment before applying
USCIS requires OPT employment to be directly related to your degree. An adjunct teaching role must connect to your major field of study, not just any subject the institution needs covered. Verify the match before accepting an offer.
Understand the part-time hour requirements
Pre-completion OPT requires fewer than 20 hours per week. Post-completion OPT requires at least 20 hours weekly to count as qualifying employment. Adjunct positions vary widely in load, so confirm your contracted hours with HR before starting.
Ask HR about the institutional EIN upfront
Your DSO needs the employer's Employer Identification Number to update SEVIS. Many adjunct contracts skip this detail. Request it from HR or the department coordinator early so your SEVIS record reflects accurate employment information without delays.
Document each contract period carefully
Adjunct roles are often semester-by-semester. Each new contract technically represents a new employment period. Keep copies of all offer letters and contracts to demonstrate continuous qualifying employment if USCIS ever reviews your OPT work history.
Check if the institution qualifies for STEM OPT
For STEM OPT extension eligibility, the employer must use E-Verify. Community colleges and smaller institutions sometimes do not. Confirm E-Verify enrollment with HR before relying on a STEM extension timeline built around that specific adjunct position.
Report employer changes to your DSO within 10 days
If you move between institutions or add a second adjunct appointment, USCIS rules require updating your DSO within 10 days. Adjunct instructors frequently hold concurrent appointments, and each one must be reported separately to stay in compliance.
Adjunct Instructor OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an adjunct instructor position qualify as OPT employment?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your degree field. USCIS does not require a minimum number of hours per week for post-completion OPT, but you must work at least 20 hours weekly to maintain valid OPT status. The subject you teach and the degree you hold must have a clear connection that your DSO can document in SEVIS.
Can I hold adjunct positions at more than one institution on OPT?
Yes, you can hold multiple concurrent adjunct appointments on OPT. Each employer counts separately toward your 20-hour minimum, and you must report every employer to your DSO within 10 days of starting. The combined hours across all positions must total at least 20 per week, and each role must independently relate to your degree field.
Do adjunct instructor roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
They can, but two conditions must be met. First, your degree must be in a STEM-designated field as listed on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Second, the hiring institution must be enrolled in E-Verify. Many smaller colleges and community colleges are not E-Verify participants, so confirm this before building your extension timeline around a specific adjunct position.
How do I find adjunct instructor jobs that are open to OPT students?
Most institutions do not explicitly advertise OPT-friendly positions, but they are generally permitted to hire F-1 students on OPT without filing any additional immigration paperwork. Migrate Mate lists adjunct instructor and other academic roles where employers are open to candidates on work authorization, making it easier to identify relevant opportunities without sorting through listings that require permanent residency or citizenship.
What happens to my OPT status if my adjunct contract ends between semesters?
Short gaps between semester contracts are generally acceptable under USCIS's unemployment day rules, which allow up to 90 days of unemployment during standard OPT and 150 days during STEM OPT extension. However, gaps still count toward that limit. If your contract ends and you do not have a new one starting soon, begin searching for a new qualifying position immediately to avoid exceeding the unemployment threshold.