OPT Teaching Jobs
STEM graduates on OPT can qualify for teaching roles in K-12 and higher education when the position involves applying their technical degree in an instructional or research context. University and community college roles in STEM departments are particularly well-aligned, and some school districts actively recruit internationally trained STEM educators to address persistent subject-matter shortages. The STEM OPT extension is available for qualifying teaching roles at eligible E-Verify employers.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Adjunct Teaching - School of Family Life - SFL 403R: Research/Creative Works Practicum (Evening School)
Posting End Date: November 20, 2026
NOTE: Last day to apply is Thursday, November 19, 2026 @ 11:59pm (MT)
Position Start Date: January 4, 2027
Required Degree:
A PhD in Family Studies, Human Development, Developmental Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Family and Consumer Sciences, Sociology, or a related discipline is required. The required degree must be completed by the start date.
Experience:
University-level teaching experience in Human Development, Family Studies, Marriage and Family Therapy, Family and Consumer Sciences, Sociology, Economics, or a related discipline is preferred.
Duties/Expectations:
Teach a 3-credit, semester-long mentored research class to undergraduate students in the School of Family Life, which includes:
- Literature reviews
- Data collection
- Data coding
- Data management
- Data analysis
- Constructing statistical tables
- Writing proposals for conferences
- Writing manuscripts to be submitted for publication
Additional duties/expectations include but are not limited to the following:
- May be Day or Evening classes
- Responsive to students
- Grading with substantive feedback within 7 days
- Setting up for class
- Cleaning up after class
- Comfortable with technology
- Passionate about connecting with students
- Organized and careful about time management
- Devoted to learning
- Attentive to details
- Excellent at oral and written communication
- Able to teach in different modalities
Documents Required at the Time of Application:
Please attach your updated curriculum vitae, cover letter, and Mission Alignment Statement (instructions below) to the faculty application.
Note: Failure to attach the required documents may result in your application not being considered.
This position requires the successful candidate to relocate and/or reside in Utah for the duration of their employment.
MISSION ALIGNMENT STATEMENT INSTRUCTIONS
If you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
BYU is committed to hiring faculty members who enthusiastically embrace and energetically advance its unique mission. To this end, please include a one-page mission alignment statement as part of your application that addresses how you might, as a BYU faculty member: (1) live a life of loyalty to Jesus Christ and His restored Church and align yourself with doctrine and teachings declared by living prophets, seers, and revelators; (2) demonstrate intentionality in building faith in Jesus Christ and testimony of His restored gospel among students and others in the BYU community; and (3) teach your subject matter with the Spirit of God and strive to keep it “bathed in the light and color of the restored gospel” (Spencer W. Kimball).
If you are not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
Applicants who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints include a one-page mission alignment statement that describes understanding of and commitment to the Mission of Brigham Young University and the AIMS of a BYU Education.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
All new employees who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be required to hold and be worthy to hold a current temple recommend. All employees are required to abide by the university's Honor Code and Dress & Grooming Standards. Preference is given to qualified candidates who are members in good standing of the affiliated church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Successful candidates are expected to support and contribute to the academic and religious missions of the university within the context of the principles and doctrines of the affiliated church.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Brigham Young University is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
Job Title: Adjunct Teaching - School of Family Life - SFL 403R: Research/Creative Works Practicum (Evening School)
Posting End Date: November 20, 2026
NOTE: Last day to apply is Thursday, November 19, 2026 @ 11:59pm (MT)
Position Start Date: January 4, 2027
Required Degree:
A PhD in Family Studies, Human Development, Developmental Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Family and Consumer Sciences, Sociology, or a related discipline is required. The required degree must be completed by the start date.
Experience:
University-level teaching experience in Human Development, Family Studies, Marriage and Family Therapy, Family and Consumer Sciences, Sociology, Economics, or a related discipline is preferred.
Duties/Expectations:
Teach a 3-credit, semester-long mentored research class to undergraduate students in the School of Family Life, which includes:
- Literature reviews
- Data collection
- Data coding
- Data management
- Data analysis
- Constructing statistical tables
- Writing proposals for conferences
- Writing manuscripts to be submitted for publication
Additional duties/expectations include but are not limited to the following:
- May be Day or Evening classes
- Responsive to students
- Grading with substantive feedback within 7 days
- Setting up for class
- Cleaning up after class
- Comfortable with technology
- Passionate about connecting with students
- Organized and careful about time management
- Devoted to learning
- Attentive to details
- Excellent at oral and written communication
- Able to teach in different modalities
Documents Required at the Time of Application:
Please attach your updated curriculum vitae, cover letter, and Mission Alignment Statement (instructions below) to the faculty application.
Note: Failure to attach the required documents may result in your application not being considered.
This position requires the successful candidate to relocate and/or reside in Utah for the duration of their employment.
MISSION ALIGNMENT STATEMENT INSTRUCTIONS
If you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
BYU is committed to hiring faculty members who enthusiastically embrace and energetically advance its unique mission. To this end, please include a one-page mission alignment statement as part of your application that addresses how you might, as a BYU faculty member: (1) live a life of loyalty to Jesus Christ and His restored Church and align yourself with doctrine and teachings declared by living prophets, seers, and revelators; (2) demonstrate intentionality in building faith in Jesus Christ and testimony of His restored gospel among students and others in the BYU community; and (3) teach your subject matter with the Spirit of God and strive to keep it “bathed in the light and color of the restored gospel” (Spencer W. Kimball).
If you are not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
Applicants who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints include a one-page mission alignment statement that describes understanding of and commitment to the Mission of Brigham Young University and the AIMS of a BYU Education.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
All new employees who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be required to hold and be worthy to hold a current temple recommend. All employees are required to abide by the university's Honor Code and Dress & Grooming Standards. Preference is given to qualified candidates who are members in good standing of the affiliated church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Successful candidates are expected to support and contribute to the academic and religious missions of the university within the context of the principles and doctrines of the affiliated church.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Brigham Young University is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
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Get Access To All JobsOPT Job Search Tips for Teaching with a STEM Degree
STEM OPT opens doors that standard OPT doesn’t
If you hold a STEM degree and your teaching role is at an E-Verify employer, you may be eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. This is particularly relevant for STEM educators at universities, research institutions, and accredited schools enrolled in E-Verify.
Cap-exempt employers are common in education
Universities, nonprofit research institutions, and government research entities are exempt from the H-1B visa cap and lottery. If your goal is long-term status, teaching at one of these institutions gives you a path to H-1B sponsorship without the uncertainty of the annual lottery.
Confirm your role qualifies as related to your field of study
OPT requires that your employment be directly related to your degree. A STEM graduate teaching in their subject area generally qualifies, but confirm with your DSO before accepting any role to make sure your specific situation is covered.
J-1 is a common alternative for international educators
Some school districts and education programs sponsor international teachers through the J-1 visa Exchange Visitor program rather than OPT. If you’re already on OPT, confirm the employer understands your authorization before the offer stage to avoid confusion.
University teaching assistant and research roles are strong OPT options
Graduate teaching assistants and research associates at universities are typically employed directly by the institution, which is almost always an E-Verify employer. These roles also tend to align closely with STEM fields, making them strong candidates for STEM OPT eligibility.
Ask about H-1B or O-1 sponsorship for long-term teaching careers
Educators with strong academic records, publications, or recognized expertise may qualify for the O-1 visa as an alternative to H-1B. If you’re building a research or academic career, it’s worth understanding both paths early.
Teaching OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my STEM OPT for a teaching job?
Yes, if the teaching role is directly related to your STEM field of study and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. A computer science graduate teaching programming, or an engineering graduate working as a university lab instructor, would typically qualify. Your DSO can confirm whether a specific role meets the field-of-study requirement before you accept the position.
Do universities hire OPT students as instructors or teaching assistants?
Yes, universities regularly hire F-1 graduates as teaching assistants, research associates, and adjunct instructors, particularly in STEM departments. Many universities are cap-exempt H-1B employers, which means they can file H-1B petitions year-round outside the lottery. This makes university employment a particularly attractive path for OPT students in STEM fields who want to transition to H-1B without relying on the annual lottery.
Can I teach at a K-12 school on STEM OPT?
It depends on the role and how well it aligns with your degree. A mathematics or computer science teacher position at a K-12 school using your technical degree would generally qualify. Most states require a teaching certificate or licensure for K-12 positions, so researching your state's requirements early is an important step. Your DSO can help you assess whether a specific K-12 role is a valid match for your field of study.
What is the difference between H-1B and OPT for teaching jobs?
OPT is your current work authorization as an F-1 student and does not require employer sponsorship during the authorized period. H-1B is the next step, where the employer petitions USCIS on your behalf for a multi-year work visa. Many educational institutions that hire OPT students in teaching roles are experienced with this transition, particularly cap-exempt universities that can file H-1B at any time of year.
Are there teaching roles in industry that qualify for STEM OPT?
Yes. Corporate training roles, curriculum development positions at EdTech companies, and technical instruction roles at training organizations can qualify if they are directly related to your STEM degree. EdTech is a growing sector with a meaningful number of employers experienced with OPT hiring. The key requirement is that the role applies your technical degree knowledge rather than being a general education or administrative position.