International Students
and
Programs
Curricular Practical Training
What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?
CPT is a form of employment that provides F-1 students with work experience directly in the field that they are studying and serves as an integral part of a student's academic program, prior to completion of that program. Students may only work a maximum of 20 hours a week under CPT.
Is there a fee for CPT?No.
How do I know if I am eligible for CPT?You need to be enrolled full-time for one academic year to be eligible for CPT. Internship, practicum, or work experience should be required towards graduation from your academic program. Students in English language programs are not eligible for CPT.
You must have been offered a specific training opportunity that must fall into one of the following categories:- to satisfy an internship requirement expected of ALL students in your program and necessary for completion of your degree.
- to satisfy an internship elective which counts towards completion of your degree and requires for you to engage in off-campus internships.
Once you are registered for the designated course, you need to apply for CPT before or during normal registration period by completing the forms listed below:
- Your current and all previously issued I-20s
- Your passport and I-94 card
- Letter from the faculty member who will supervise your internship stating:
- the specific internship opportunity
- the specific degree requirement or elective course that it satisfies
- the minimum requirements to complete the internship
- a reasonable period of time needed to complete the internship
- Letter offering internship employment from your employer including the following information:
- beginning and ending dates of employment
- how many hours you will work weekly
- a description of duties in sufficient detail to clearly show them as appropriate to meeting the requirements for your degree
- location where employment will take place