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Curricular Practical Training (Internships)

Curricular Practical Training (Internships) for F-1 Students

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an authorized off-campus employment activity that allows F-1 students to gain work experience in their major field of study; it is available before the completion of the degree program. 

According to the Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)], CPT is defined as employment that is an integral part of an established curriculum, including: “alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.” 

There are two types of CPT: 
 
  • Required CPT is a necessary part of the degree program. The designated practical work experience is listed in the Academic Catalog and must be approved by the Council on Undergraduate Education or Council on Graduate Education. 
  • Optional CPT is for students who desire an off-campus work experience directly related to their major but are not required to take one. These students must enroll for at least one credit hour for CPT permission to be granted.
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International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) approval is REQUIRED regardless of whether the CPT is an unpaid (stipend), paid, or volunteer position. It must be emphasized that students CANNOT accept any kind of compensation for work performed in an unpaid internship.
 
  • If a student wishes to do the CPT during the fall or spring semester, they must be registered for the CPT course during that term.
  • If the student wishes to do the CPT during the summer break, they must register for the CPT course in the summer.
  • A student doing thesis/dissertation work and has finished their coursework is still eligible for CPT, one term at a time, if the CPT is an integral part of the thesis/dissertation or research.

Traditional volunteer work (e.g., at a homeless shelter) does not require CPT.

Student Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for CPT, an F-1 student must meet the following requirements:
 
  • Be in current F-1 status.
  • Be in a degree-seeking program.
  • Have completed at least one academic year (nine months) of their program in F-1 status. (This requirement is waived for graduate students in a program that requires immediate internship participation.)
  • Engage in employment related to their major/academic program.
  • Must register for academic credit for their work experience.

Application Procedures for CPT

All of the following information must be provided to ISSS for CPT authorization to be given:
 
  • Form I-20.
  • Valid passport.
  •  I-94 card (small white card) or electronic I-94. 
  • Proof of registration for related academic coursework (Course Selection Form).
  • Completed and approved copies of the Employer Agreement Form (available from academic majors or career advisors).
  • Internship Form (from the Registrar’s Office).
  • Copy of the job offer letter with the employer’s official letterhead from the employer.  The job offer letter must contain the following information:​​
  • Name of employer.
  • Location of the employer.
  • Beginning and ending dates.
  • Number of hours worked per week.

Important: Students must submit these documents by uploading them under the “Upload Required Documents” function in Terra Dotta.

Please expect 5 – 7 business days for ISSS to review your documents and complete the authorization process. Processing of the CPT application cannot begin until all of the required documentation listed above have been received.

Details for CPT
 
  • Hours
    • Part-time CPT is 20 hours per week or less.
    • Full-time CPT is over 20 hours a week.
  • Course Registration
    • As CPT is curricular, you will need to be registered for your CPT courses to obtain authorization from ISSS.

365 days of full-time CPT makes the student INELIGIBLE for OPT. (e.g., working three months of full-time CPT each summer break for 4 years = 365 days = ineligible for OPT.)

Students who have already completed all degree requirements are not eligible for CPT. A student cannot delay graduation to apply for CPT to lengthen employment, and it cannot be used after graduation. 

If an F-1 student uses 12 months or more of full-time CPT at the same degree level, they are not eligible for Optional Practical Training eligibility. (Use of full-time CPT in a prior degree at the same level would be included in the 12-month calculation.)

Immigration Alert!

Beginning work without authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services seriously violates F-1 student status requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to know and comply with all immigration regulations affecting their F-1 status. Failure to comply with these regulations means LOSS of F-1 status.