Curricular Practical Training, also known as CPT, is an internship which is available to F-1 students under certain circumstances. An internship must be an integral part of your program of study in your department. CPT can be paid or unpaid by the employer.
Eligibility
Undergraduate Students
- Fall, spring semesters: Part-time CPT for a total of 20 hours per week, which includes on-campus work.
- Summer semester: Full-time CPT. Students must not go over a total of 12 months (40-hours-a-week) of CPT during the entirety of their degree program. Students who participate in full-time CPT over 12 months are ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after they graduate.
- Students are responsible to keep track of their hours and ensure they do not exceed the limit.
- Students must be enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible to enroll in CPT.
Graduate Students
- Fall, spring, summer semesters: Full-Time CPT.
- Students must not go over a total of 12 months of full-time (40-hours-a-week) of CPT during the entirety of their degree program. Students who participate in full-time CPT over 12 months are INELIGIBLE for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after they graduate.
- Students are responsible to keep track of their hours to ensure they do not exceed the limit.
- Students must be enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before being eligible to enroll in CPT.
- Exception: If Graduate Program supports immediate curricular training, students are eligible to start CPT during their first semester.
Process
- Students should first speak with their academic advisor to ensure their department will support CPT.
- Make an appointment with the Global Education Office DSO who will provide a new Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.” This confirms that the DSO has approved you for this employment.
- Submit a signed cooperative agreement or letter from your employer to the DSO
- Receive academic approval from the student’s department.
- CPT does not substitute for a class nor does it take credit away from the total number of credits needed to complete a degree program. It is simply an extra credit.
- CPT is renewable. Students need to complete the entire enrollment process for each semester enrolled in CPT.
- Students must maintain full-time student status while participating in CPT.
- Exceptions include: summer semester, or if a student is completing their final semester before graduating.