Definition: Curricular practical training (CPT) is employment pursuant to an internship requirement or internship elective which is an integral part of the established curriculum of your school.

Eligibility to engage in CPT: You must be a degree candidate who has been in lawful status for at least one academic year. You must have been offered a specific training opportunity that must fall into one of the following categories:

There are two ways in which you can become eligible for curricular practical training. Each degree program has different requirements which would effect your eligibility or ineligibility. It is advisable to speak with your academic advisor or registrar about the options outlined below before meeting with your advisor in the ISSO.

1. Employment which is a required part of your degree program
This requirement must be formally documented in school publications. Undergraduate students must have completed one year (nine months) of full-time study in order to be eligible for any form of curricular practical training. Graduate students may apply for curricular practical training prior to completing one year of full-time study if the degree program requires that the training begin in the first semesters of school. Three requirements must be met for you to work in a job which is a required part of your degree program:

• have an appropriate job offer
• maintain lawful F-1 visa status
• demonstrate that the proposed employment is a requirement for your degree program

2. Employment which is not required, but is for academic credits
Curricular practical training for academic credits could include training courses such as a field studies course or an internship. The training program must be listed in the school’s catalogue with the number of credits and the name of the faculty member teaching the course. There should also be a description of the course with the course objectives clearly defined. Four requirements must be met to be eligible for employment which is not a required part of your degree program:

• have an appropriate job offer
• maintain lawful F-1 visa status
• complete at least nine months as a full-time student
• demonstrate that you will receive academic credits for the proposed employment

Restrictions: US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations do not place an absolute limit on the amount of CPT you may utilize. However, if you engage in one year or more of full-time CPT, you will lose your eligibility to engage in Optional Practical Training.
You may engage in curricular practical training only after your SEVIS record has been updated by an ISSO adviser and a SEVIS I-20 has been printed, indicating the approved employment. The endorsement will indicate the precise details of the authorized training, including the name and location of the employer, the specific dates of the training period, and whether it is full-time or part-time.

Procedure:  Submit the following documentation to the ISSO as early as 90 days but no less than 10 days before you wish to begin employment. If this internship is tied to a specific course, you must register for the course and must apply for curricular practical training during the normal registration period.

1. Your current and all previously issued I-20s
2. Your passport and I-94 card
3. Letter from the faculty member who will supervise your internship stating:
1. the specific internship opportunity
2. the specific degree requirement or elective course (e.g. MBA 627) that it satisfies
3. the minimum requirements to complete the internship
4. a reasonable period of time needed to complete the internship (e.g., satisfying the requirements of a 1 semester, 3 credit course would normally be done in 1 semester or less )
4. Letter offering internship employment from your employer including the following information:
1. beginning and ending dates of employment
2. how many hours you will work weekly
3. a description of duties in sufficient detail to clearly show them as appropriate to meeting the requirements of your internship
4. location where employment will take place

The International Students Office staff will:

1. Review your application for eligibility
2. If you are eligible, update your SEVIS record, print a SEVIS I-20 form indicating the approved employment and give it to you. Your employer will need to see this authorization to put you on the payroll.

Special Considerations:

• You are still required to register full-time if you are authorized for curricular practical training during the academic year.
• Curricular practical training that exceeds 20 hours per week constitutes full-time CPT. Students who engage in full-time CPT for twelve months or more prior to graduation will not be eligible for optional practical training (before or after completion of studies).

click here for CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT) RECOMMENDATION (PDF).

click here for Frequently Asked Questions-CPT/OPT Internships.

click here for Supervisor evaluation of CPT .

Click here to download "Sample Letter from Employer "