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• Attend a CPT workshop to review the CPT process and requirements.
• Schedule an appointment with your academic or faculty advisor to confirm:
  • The training is an integral and required part of the established curriculum.
  • The training is required for students in the applicable curriculum.
  • The training is directly related to your major area of study.
  • The employer is a legitimate employer able to provide an appropriate practical training experience through an established cooperative agreement with ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ.
  • You will receive the required academic credit during the CPT term.
  • The training is not solely for professional experience or résumé building.
  • The training is not based solely on a minor or general graduation requirement.
• The student meets the F-1 enrollment and status requirements, including the one full academic year requirement unless an exception applies.

The training opportunity must be provided through an approved employer or training arrangement.

• The employer must maintain an established cooperative agreement with the individual college or school.
• The employer offer letter must include:
  • Employer name and address
  • Supervisor’s name and contact information
  • Training start and end dates
  • Number of hours per week
  • Position or type of training
  • Description of training duties
  • Compensation received, if any

Submit your request before the last day to add the required course, as listed on the Academic Calendar.

Register for the required internship, practicum, or other required course during the same academic term as the training.

The number of credits must comply with the University’s Credit Hour Policy, unless otherwise specified by the applicable plan of study.

Submit the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Request through the before the last day to add a class for the academic term and before your employment start date.

As part of your request, you must provide the following information and documentation:

1. Practical Training Dates: Start and end dates of the employment
2. Employment Status: Full-time or part-time
3. Employer Information: Employer name and address
4. Academic Requirement: An explanation of how the employment is directly related to and an integral part of your established curriculum
5. Type of CPT: Select the applicable CPT type
6. Associated Credits: Number of academic credits associated with the practical training
7. Course Information: Course title and course number
8. Compensation: Select if payment is received
9. Employment Offer Letter: A copy of your employment offer letter

You will be required to be registered for the academic requirement prior to authorization.

After you submit your request:

• Your academic or faculty advisor will review the training and confirm that it meets academic requirements.
• Departmental approval is required before International Services can proceed.
• A DSO will review your request for compliance with CPT requirements.
• If approved, the DSO will authorize CPT in SEVIS and issue an updated Form I-20 with CPT authorization listed on page 2.

Students will receive an email when the CPT I-20 is ready.

You may begin your training only on or after the authorized CPT start date and must follow the employer, position, location, hours, and dates listed on your CPT I-20.

• You must continue to maintain a full course of study and valid F-1 status throughout all periods of authorized CPT.
• Employment without prior CPT authorization is a violation of F-1 status.
• CPT authorization is specific to the:
  • Employer
  • Position
  • Location
  • Start and end dates
  • Number of hours per week
• A separate CPT authorization is required for each employer and CPT segment, as applicable.

CPT is authorized by a Designated School Official (DSO) through SEVIS and must be reflected on the student’s CPT-endorsed Form I-20.

• Must be issued before employment begins.
• Cannot be backdated.
• Is specific to the approved employer, position, location, dates, and hours.
• Requires separate authorization for each employer and CPT segment, as applicable.

Employers providing CPT opportunities must have an established cooperative agreement with the University or applicable college or school.

The University will enter into cooperative agreements only with legitimate, bona fide employers that are able to provide appropriate and quality practical training experiences consistent with the student’s academic program and field of study.

Students must:

• Maintain the required course of study for F-1 status.
• Register for the appropriate CPT course.
• Receive academic credit during the applicable academic term, consistent with University requirements.

Before CPT can be authorized, students must obtain a qualifying training opportunity through an approved employer or training arrangement.

The employer offer letter must include:

• Employer name and address
• Supervisor’s name and contact information
• Training start and end dates
• Number of hours per week
• Position or type of training
• Description of training duties

There is no cumulative maximum period for CPT. However:

• 12 months or more of full-time CPT makes a student ineligible for post-completion OPT at the same educational level.
• Part-time CPT does not count toward the 12-month full-time CPT limit.

Students may have more than one CPT authorization when permitted by their academic program and University requirements.

A separate CPT authorization is required for each employer and CPT segment. Students must not begin work for a new employer or in a new position until the appropriate CPT authorization has been issued.

CPT may be authorized on a part-time or full-time basis.

• Part-Time CPT — 20 hours or fewer per week.
• Full-Time CPT — More than 20 hours per week.

During the academic year, CPT is generally limited to part-time employment unless full-time practical training is required by the academic program.

Full-time CPT may generally be available during an authorized school break or when required by the academic program.

CPT may be paid or unpaid. Whether a position is paid does not determine whether it qualifies for CPT.

Students and employers must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment and wage requirements.

A structured, supervised, career-related work experience that may be paid or unpaid. Internships are either a degree requirement or an elective through which academic credit is earned and applied toward degree completion.

A required, course-based, supervised field experience fully integrated into academic coursework. Practica allows students to observe and document the practical application of skills in a professional setting.

A required hands-on learning experience in health-related fields (e.g., nursing, social work, counseling) where students practice under licensed supervision to meet accreditation and/or licensure requirements.

A supervised, community-based or service-oriented learning experience (e.g., student teaching, classroom observation, social work, environmental studies) that integrates academic theory with professional practice in a real-world setting.

A supervised, course-integrated setting where students apply scientific methods and techniques to experiments, data collection, and analysis. These hours are required to meet the learning outcomes of the course and degree program.

Employed at an off-campus location through educationally affiliated contractual relationships with several nonprofit organizations.

Students may also be eligible for CPT associated with approved University programs and educationally affiliated contractual relationships:

• Jaggar Community Fellows Program: a structured fellowship program that partners with participating nonprofit organizations to provide practical training experiences.
• Other educationally affiliated contractual relationships with participating nonprofit organizations.

These opportunities must meet all applicable CPT, academic, University, and F-1 requirements.