Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training is an opportunity for students on F-1 visas to learn practical skills related to their majors. CPT serves as work authorization and is an alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or other types of required internship or practicum that a sponsoring employer offers through agreements with a student’s school.

The internship must relate directly to the student’s major area of study and be an integral part of the school’s established curriculum.

Please keep in mind that CPT can only be authorized until the last day of finals.

We will need to authorize you for CPT each semester and provide you with an updated Form I-20 before you begin your internship.

Allow us at least 2-4 business days to process the documents and authorize you for CPT.

To be eligible for CPT, you must:
- Have been lawfully enrolled full-time while physically present in the US for one academic year (i.e., two full consecutive terms).
- Be in lawful F-1 status.
- Have an internship offer.
- Have authorization from your academic advisor or program coordinator.
- Not be enrolled in an intensive English language training program.

NOTE: CPT is processed and authorized term by term. Contact your academic department regarding your department's specific guidelines and follow those guidelines for internship applications. Please note that your department has discretion in recommending internships.

The work must be directly related to the student's major field of study and integral to an established curriculum.

Employment for 20 hours or less per week is considered part-time. You must be simultaneously enrolled in classes full-time and be physically present on campus in order to maintain lawful F-1 status during fall and spring terms.

Employment for more than 20 hours per week is full-time. Please be aware that 12 months or more of full-time CPT will eliminate your eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

The following should be submitted electronically to the IPO:

1. Letter from your advisor authorizing your internship (email your International Student Advisor for the CPT authorization template).

2. Proof of enrollment in the associated internship course (this can be a copy of your schedule from SelfService that shows you have registered for the internship course).

3. Offer letter from your employer. Your employer or company must officially offer you a training opportunity and provide you with an offer letter that includes the following:

- Written on the company's letterhead
- Be addressed to you
- Job title
- Detailed job description (at least a few sentences describing specific duties, tasks, goals, etc.)
- Specify the street address where employment will occur (street, city, state, and zip code). If you work remotely, the letter should specify this and list the company’s physical address.
- Specify the number of hours per week you will work.
- Specify start and end dates of CPT employment (keep in mind that CPT can only be authorized one term at a time).