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:Students must be a degree candidate who has been in lawful status for at least one academic year to be eligible for CPT. Each degree program has different requirements that affect eligibility. It is advisable to speak with an academic advisor or the Registrar about the options outlined below before meeting with your advisor in the International Student Services office. In order to be eligible for CPT, you must have been offered a specific training opportunity that fits into one of the following categories:

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 academic year (one Spring and one Fall semester) of full-time study in order to be eligible for any form of CPT. Graduate students may apply for CPT prior to completing one year of full-time study if the degree program requires that the training begin in the first semester 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 internship offer
   • Maintain lawful F-1 Visa status
   • Demonstrate that the proposed internship is a requirement for your degree program

2. Employment which is not required, but is for academic credits

   CPT for academic credits includes training courses such as a field studies course or an internship. The training program must be listed in the school’s catalog 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 for a student to be eligible for employment which is not a required part of your degree program:

   • Have an appropriate internship 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

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Restrictions: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 (OPT).

You may engage in CPT after your SEVIS record has been updated by an ISS Advisor and a new SEVIS I-20 has been printed, indicating the approved internship. 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 a full- or part-time position.

Procedure:Submit the following documentation to the ISS Office 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 apply for CPT during the normal registration period. Required documentation includes:

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 the following:
   1. The specific internship opportunity
   2. The specific degree requirement or elective course (e.g. MBA 627) that the internship satisfies
   3. The minimum requirements to complete the internship
   4. A reasonable period of time needed to complete the internship
4. Letter from your employer offering the internship employment which includes the following information:
   1. Start and end dates of the internship
   2. How many hours you will work each week
   3. A description of duties in sufficient detail to clearly show them as appropriate to meeting the requirements of your academic course
   4. Where the employment will take place

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The International Student Services Office will:

1. Review your application for eligibility
2. If you are eligible, update your SEVIS record
3. Print you a new SEVIS I-20 form indicating the approved internship and give it to you. (Note: Your employer will need to see this authorization to put you on the payroll, in the case that you have a paid internship)

Special Considerations:

You are still required to register a full-time course load if you are authorized for CPT during the academic year.

CPT that exceeds 20 hours per week constitutes full-time CPT. Students who engage in full-time CPT for 12 months or more prior to graduation will not be eligible for OPT.

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