What is “Curricular Practical Training?”
An F-1 student may be authorized . . . to participate in a curricular practical training program which is an integral part of an established curriculum. Curricular practical training is defined to be alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum, which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. {8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)}
What does the Int’l Program Center need in order to authorize Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?
- Your Form I-20.
- A letter from the chair of your major department approving your internship.
The major department’s letter must:- mention your particular educational program, and explain why the employment described in your job offer letter is an “integral part” of your program (e.g., contributes to research for a course assignment or thesis/dissertation, enhances your professional training and preparation in your field)
- specify how many hours of internship credit you will receive in conjunction with the employment.
- A job offer letter from your employer.
The job offer letter must:- be on letterhead which contains your employer’s name and address
- specify your job title and briefly describe the work you will do
- specify your dates of employment and the number of hours per week you will work
Some points to keep in mind about CPT:
- In order to be eligible for CPT, you must have been in F-1 status for one full academic year (nine months) and be in good academic standing.
- If you have ever been enrolled as a part-time student, you must have an “Reduced Course load Form" on file for the semester(s) you were under-enrolled. Otherwise, CPT cannot be authorized. Students undertaking part-time CPT are required to be enrolled full time or to have a current "Reduced Course load Form" on file.
- Any F-1 student who undertakes 12 months of full-time CPT (that is, 21 or more hours per week) is ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) following completion of studies. Part-time CPT (20 hours or fewer per week) is not counted against OPT.
- CPT is not available to students who are returning to begin a second degree after a period of OPT unless the established curriculum requires immediate participation in CPT.
- If you change employers, or change from part-time to full-time employment or vice versa, you need to re-apply for CPT permission.
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Beginning to work before CPT is authorized, or continuing to work after the authorization expires, constitutes a violation of F-1 status.