International Students

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

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)?

1. Your Form I-20.
2. 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.
3. 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.
• Beginning to work before CPT is authorized, or continuing to work after the authorization expires, constitutes a violation of F-1 status.