Curricular Practical Training

What is CPT?

CPT is defined in the Code of Federal Regulations as “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.” [8 C.F.R. § 214.2 (f) (10) (i)].

Before engaging in any off-campus activities like work/study programs, internships, cooperative education, or clinical rotations, students must obtain authorization from the Office of International Services.

Eligibility

• Undergraduate students are eligible for CPT after completing full-time studies for one full academic year.
• Graduate students may be authorized for immediate participation in an internship and may apply at any time.
• CPT must be directly related to the student’s field of study.
• CPT must be an integral part of an established curriculum.
• Student must be in valid F-1 status and enrolled in a full course of study during CPT, period.
• The alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum must be offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.
• A student may begin CPT only after the Office of International Service (OIS) grants authorization in SEVIS, and the authorization prints on the student’s Form I-20.

To request CPT, please submit the required documents through the OIS Student Portal.

Once our office receives all the required documents, the OIS will process the request within 5-7 business days. The OIS will grant authorization in SEVIS, and the authorization prints on the student’s Form I-20. The student will present Form I-20 with the CPT recommendation to the hosting site.

Additional information about CPT

• CPT is authorized per semester. Therefore, students must submit a new CPT request, including all the necessary supporting documents, each semester they request CPT authorization.
• CPT may begin on or after the first day of the semester. CPT must end before the first day of the following semester.
• A student will be ineligible for post-graduation Optional Practical Training if s/he is authorized for 365 days or more of full-time CPT.
• If a student changes employers during the training program, the student must apply for a new period of CPT authorization before working for the new employer.
• The student may not begin working before the CPT start date or work after the authorized end date.
• CPT authorization ends if a student graduates, fails to maintain F-1 status, or transfers to another institution.