Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

General Overview

Temporary employment such as an internship, practicum, and alternative work-study or cooperative education may be authorized under certain circumstances as curricular practical training (CPT). Such training must be related to your major field of study AND must also be an integral part of a student’s established curriculum still in progress.

  • Training which is required by a degree program as stated in the course catalog always meets the requirements for CPT
  • Training which is not required by a degree program may meet the requirements for CPT if the student will receive academic credit for the training experience and if the academic advisor can document how the training is an integral part of the established curriculum still in progress.
  • To establish that the training is an integral part of the established curriculum, the student must be enrolled for a designated internship course or independent study course specifically designed for this purpose
  • Training may ONLY be authorized for a maximum of 20 hours per week while school is in session; students may apply to work more than 20 hours per week during summer term (given it is not the student’s first or final term) and during the breaks between semesters
  • Training may be authorized on a per semester basis only
  • Applications must be received by ISS and reviewed prior to employment start – to avoid potential delays please plan ahead and submit your application early, and at least five business days before the requested start date
  • Students may ONLY begin working after receiving authorization from ISS in the form of new I-20 with CPT authorization

Basic Eligibility

  • The student must be in lawful F-1 status
  • The student must have been lawfully enrolled in a full-time course of study for at least one academic year (either a fall and a spring semester or a spring and a fall semester)
  • The student must be maintaining a full time course load during the academic year (students working on CPT during fall and spring semesters must also be enrolled full time)

Application Process for CPT

Make an appointment with ISS and bring the following with you:

  1. Job Offer Letter*
  2. Completed CPT Request Form

*JOB OFFER LETTER REQUIREMENTS:

  • Job title and brief job description
  • Exact dates of employment
  • Number of hours of work per week
  • Physical place of employment
  • Printed on official business letterhead

APEX Fellowship & CPT

APEX Fellowships help to assist with funding an unpaid internship experience. Contact APEX for more information about their application process.

Material on this website is general and for informational purposes only. It does not constitute or replace professional legal advice, and you should not rely on it solely when making decisions about your immigration status or reporting requirements.