1. What is CPT?

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. At VIU, this may mean a class taken in conjunction with your Master’s Thesis class or a capstone class in your undergraduate degree during your final semester of study.

2. Who is eligible for 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 affect 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 ISA Office.

A. Employment which is a required part of your degree program.

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 (a job pertaining to your course of study)
• maintain lawful F-1 visa status
• demonstrate that the proposed employment is a requirement for your degree program

B. Employment which is not required, but is for academic credit.

Curricular practical training for academic credit 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

3. I am an undergraduate student. Can I apply for CPT?

If you meet the requirements of being a full-time student for at least 9 months and you are in valid F-1 status, you can apply for CPT. However, your CPT must be either for academic credit or must be a required part of your academic program. VIU has a capstone class that is a required element in your final year or semester of study as an undergraduate student.

4. What is the length of CPT period?

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. In addition, VIU has a policy of authorizing CPT for one semester only unless approved by your academic advisor.

5. Do I have to pay the school in order to do CPT?

No, there is no fee for CPT authorization. Please keep in mind that you must pay tuition for the classes you registered for and you have to attend classes while you are on CPT.

6. How many hours a week can I work at a company during my CPT?

Curricular practical training that exceeds 20 hours per week constitutes full-time CPT. Students are allowed to do CPT full-time only during the Summer Semester. During the regular Spring & Fall semesters students are authorized for part-time (not to exceed 20 hours a week) CPT.

7. Can I choose any type of work for my CPT?

Your CPT job offer must be related to your field of study.

8. Can I do a paid CPT?

If you would like to do an unpaid internship, you are not required to have any authorization from USCIS or from VIU. However, completing the CPT authorization paperwork is implying that you will be getting compensation for the internship that you will be doing.

9. Will VIU help me find a company for my CPT?

Periodically, VIU hosts job fairs and other job finding opportunities, but the responsibility of finding a job offer depends upon you. Your academic advisor might give you advice or help you locate an internship.

10.   Will I earn course credits for the CPT?

If you choose to do a CPT in conjunction with a class, you will get academic credit for the CPT. Please be sure that you have a conference with your academic advisor about the expectations of your CPT.

11. When can I apply for CPT?

Please apply for CPT before at the same time you register for classes for corresponding semester. It behooves you to register early so that your CPT request can be approved and a new I-20 be processed.

12. How will I know if my CPT application has been approved?

An International Student Advisor will contact you when your CPT request has been processed. Please give your International Student Advisor at least 3 days to process your request. In the case of approval, a new I-20 will be issued for you and you can apply for a social security number with your job offer and your CPT authorized I-20.

13. Can I begin working before I receive my CPT- authorized I-20?

Until you receive your CPT-authorized I-20 with a CPT start-date and end-date, you are not allowed to work until the start date on your I-20.

14. Can I begin working after I earn the course credits?
 
CPT is done in conjunction with a class, not after the class. This means that you need to be doing your CPT and your classes concurrently.

15. Can I still apply for OPT when I graduate?

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). Since VIU does not extend CPT after one semester, there is no danger of comprising your OPT benefit.