International Student Services

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT)

F-1 students may be authorized by a DSO to participate in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to satisfy the requirements of a required or elective internship, practicum, or fieldwork course. In all cases, the employment must form an integral part of the established curriculum of your program. Note that if the course is required, it may be a credit or non-credit course, depending on your program’s academic requirements and procedures. If the course is an elective, it must be taken for a minimum of 1 credit.

Curricular Practical Training can only be authorized part-time (up to 20/per week) while school is in session and full-time during regularly scheduled vacations. Exceptions to the one academic year requirement are provided for students enrolled in graduate studies that require immediate participation in curricular practical training. 

If you engage in 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training, you will not be eligible for Optional Practical Training. Please note, you may not work before the CPT start date or after the CPT end date listed on your I-20, and your CPT authorization cannot be modified or changed retroactively after your employment start date. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE

In order to be eligible for CPT, your program must have an internship elective that contributes to the required credits to complete your degree or fieldwork/practicum requirement as part of the curriculum. You must also:

  • Have a job offer directly related to your academic program
  • Have been lawfully enrolled full-time for one academic year. Exceptions to the one academic year requirement are provided for students enrolled in graduate studies that require immediate participation in curricular practical training. Only students in the Professional Hybrid programs currently qualify for this exception
  • Be in lawful F-1 status
  • Making normal progress toward degree completion and be in good academic standing

HOW TO APPLY

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

STEP 2: Obtain an offer of employment

STEP 3: Submit the Request for Curricular Practical Training via the International Student Portal

Once the CGL receives your application, it will be reviewed by an international student advisor within 14 business days. Your I-20 will then be uploaded to the portal. You will then 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:
    • Job title, job description, number of hours per week you will work, start date of employment, and end date of employment
  • Completed Cooperative Agreement