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To qualify for CPT, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Have a job offer directly related to their academic major prior to applying for CPT.
• Must be making normal progress toward degree completion and be in good academic standing.
• Must be in valid F-1 status at the time of application. If the SEVIS record is in terminated status, the student cannot engage in CPT. If the student is dropped or withdrawn from classes after the CPT has been approved, the student must cease all employment immediately.
• Must have completed at least one academic year (full-time enrollment) before applying:
  • Undergraduate students: One fall and one spring semester.
  • Graduate students: Fall, winter, and spring trimesters.
• Must maintain full-time enrollment while on CPT, except during official university breaks:

Undergraduate students

• Must register for a minimum of 12 credits at all times (except the summer term and last semester, if less than 12 credits are needed to complete the program); credited internship courses can count towards full-time enrollment
• Students cannot take an internship course by itself (except during summer term if it is not the final term).
  • If summer is the final semester of study, students are required to have at least one in-person course.
  • Students may be allowed to engage in CPT in their final semester if they are taking other required courses to finish their degree.
• If enrolled in less than 12 credits during a required term, the student must submit a request for Reduced Course Load. Be sure to read the information on Full Course of Study Requirements

Graduate students

• Must register for a minimum of 6 credits at all times (except the summer term and last semester, if less than 6 credits are needed to complete the program); credited internship courses can count towards full-time enrollment
• If enrolled in less than 6 credits during a required term, the student must submit a request for Reduced Course Load. Be sure to read the information on Full Course of Study Requirements
• Students cannot take a CPT course by itself (except during summer term if it is not their final term)
• If summer is the student’s final trimester prior to program completion, they are required to register for at least one in-person course in addition to the internship course
• Students may be authorized to engage in CPT in their final trimester, if they are taking other required courses to finish their degree.

NOTE: The clock on the requirement to complete one full academic year of full-time enrollment resets under the following circumstances:

• The student began a new academic program after participating in Post-Completion OPT or the STEM OPT Extension.
• The student returned to F-1 status after spending time in a different immigration status in the U.S. while not enrolled full-time.
• The student returned from a Leave of Absence after being outside the U.S. for 5 months or more.
• The student regained F-1 status through “travel and re-entry” after their SEVIS record was terminated for any reason, including Authorized Early Withdrawal (AEW).

If any of these situations apply, the student will need to complete one academic year of lawful full-time enrollment before becoming eligible for CPT.

• CPT must be an integral part of the established curriculum and directly related to the student’s program of study.
• To qualify, the academic program must include:
  • An internship elective that contributes to the required degree credits, or
  • A fieldwork/practicum requirement built into the curriculum.

• CPT requires enrollment in a corresponding internship or co-op course. This course must be for credit, except for graduate programs that have a required internship but no credit-bearing course.
• Undergraduate students: Must contact CEEL for course registration. Undergraduate students can engage in a maximum of 9 internship credits (Please consult with CEEL).
• Graduate students: Must contact their academic advisor to register. Internship courses are typically 1 credit. Students in 30 credit programs can earn a maximum of 2 internship credits over the course of the degree. Students in 36 credit programs can earn a maximum of 3 internship credits over the course of the degree.

Students must submit their application for CPT by no later than the add/drop deadline for the term for which they are requesting authorization and they must be physically present in the U.S. to engage in CPT.

CPT employment will be authorized on a semester/trimester basis from the start of the current academic term through the day before the next term, aligning with SPU’s academic calendar:

• CPT can be authorized part-time (up to 20 hours per week) or full-time (over 20 hours per week).
• The student may not begin work before the CPT start date or continue after the end date listed on your I-20.
• CPT cannot be modified or approved retroactively once the employment start date has passed.

• If the student engages in 12 months or more of full-time CPT, they will lose eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
• Part-time CPT does not affect OPT eligibility.

STEP 1: Attend an F-1 Curricular Practical Training Workshop

STEP 2: Obtain an offer of employment

STEP 3: Enroll in credited Internship course

STEP 4: Log into the International Student Portal and submit the Request for Curricular Practical Training

STEP 5: The CGL will be review your application within 7 business days. If your application is approved, your I-20 with the CPT approval will be uploaded to the portal.

STEP 6: Print, sign, and present your I-20 to your employer.

In order to submit your request successfully, you will need to:

• Provide the name and email address of your academic advisor or department contact.
• Provide the name, address, and dates of employment for your proposed CPT employer.

You will also be asked to upload a scanned copy of your:

• Offer of employment. The offer of employment must contain the following information (View sample offer letter):
  • Job title
  • job description
  • number of hours per week you will work
  • start date of employment and end date of employment

• Completed and signed Cooperative Learning Agreement