What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?
Curricular practical training (CPT) is defined as any required or optional practical training (work/study, internship, practicum, cooperative education, or other employment) that is an integral part of the established curriculum for a program of study. Most CPT occurs off-campus.
- CPT requires that the training must be part of your academic program of study while you are enrolled in school.
- CPT can be an optional or required part of your program of study.
- Only practical training that is directly related to the course curriculum qualifies as CPT.
- Both paid and unpaid practical training require CPT authorization from the ISC before a student can begin the opportunity with the employer.
- CPT is authorized by the ISC for one term at a time.
- Certain majors will not have an option for students to do CPT.
General practical training requirements
To be eligible for CPT, you must meet general requirements.
- The practical training must be an integral part of your program.
1) If the employment is not required for your program: Internships that are optional must be taken for units (academic credit) in a specific internship or special study course. Not all majors offer internship/special study courses that meet the CPT eligibility. Check with your department for information.
2) If the employment is required for your program or part of your thesis: If practical training is required as part of your program, you do not need to take it for units (academic credit).
The practical training is only authorized during the course of your study (not after it is completed).
- The training must be authorized for a specific job at a specific company for a specified time period.
- CPT Eligibility: If your full-time CPT authorizations total more than 12 months, then you are not eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
CPT Eligibility
One academic year, F-1 requirement
- To be eligible for CPT, you must have been a student in F-1 status for a minimum of one academic year.
- Graduate students whose program requires immediate participation in a paid internship may waive the one-year F-1 requirement, as long as their advisor verifies that the internship will begin within the student's first year.
- Must meet minimum GPA of 2.0 for undergraduate and 3.0 for graduate students and be making academic progress toward your degree plan.
CPT and graduate study
- Thesis: Students wanting to take an internship as part of their thesis research must demonstrate to their advisor the relationship between the proposed internship and the thesis research.
Application period
Application Period
There is no specific application period for CPT. However, CPT documents must be submitted early enough so that you will have the new I-20 with CPT authorization before you begin your CPT.
How to apply
Follow these application steps:
- Receive the job or internship offer letter. The letter needs to be on company letterhead and include: your name, company name, complete address of company, the anticipated start and end dates of employment, the number of hours per week, if the position is paid or unpaid, your job title, and a brief description of the duties. It also needs to be signed and dated by your employer.
- Enroll in the CPT course (if necessary).
- Complete the online CPT request form and upload the fully signed and completed CPT form and job offer letter.
- CPT is only authorized for one term at a time, so if you need a CPT extension, it is important to follow these steps early enough to avoid a break in your CPT authorization.
Processing Time, Dates of Authorization, and Hours Allowed
When can I start employment?
You can only begin the training opportunity after you receive CPT authorization through your new CPT I-20. If you work before receiving CPT authorization, you are in violation of your F-1 visa which is grounds for termination of your SEVIS immigration record. This could result in the immediate return to your home country, an inability to finish your program, and/or problems when applying for a new U.S. visa or trying to re-enter the U.S. in the future. CPT cannot be backdated to include illegal work that was performed before it was authorized.
Processing Time
After uploading the required the CPT documents, CPT processing takes two business weeks, provided all documents are correct and you are enrolled in the CPT course (if required).
For students who do not have a Social Security Number (SSN) allow additional time to receive your CPT I-20 in the mail after it is processed. If you already have an SSN, you will be notified when your I-20 is ready for pick up.
Dates of authorization
CPT is authorized according to term dates, except in cases where CPT is required for the degree program or for the thesis.
Hours allowed
Undergraduate Students:
When class is in session, an undergraduate student may work up to 20 hours per week on CPT. During the summer and official school breaks, full-time CPT is allowed with authorization.
Graduate Students:
A graduate student may work part-time or full-time on CPT, as authorized by the advisor on the CPT Record Form.
Changes in Authorization and CPT Extension Requests
Ending CPT Early
If you will end your CPT before the CPT end date that we authorized, please send an email to informing us that you will end your CPT early and include the new ending date.
Changes in CPT employer, dates of employment, or hours
Other changes to your CPT authorization will require you to complete a new request form and upload new documents with changes. The most common changes are: the employer, employer address, and hours per week (full-time vs. part-time).
Extension of CPT authorization
If you qualify for an extension of your CPT work authorization, to extend your CPT you will need complete a new CPT Request Form and upload the new documents.
You must receive the new I-20 with extended CPT dates before the CPT extension begins. The processing time for an extension of CPT authorization 2 business weeks if all documents are complete and correct.