Curricular Practical Training
Definition
If the student’s established
curriculum includes a paid or unpaid internship, practicum, professional
experience etc., Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization enables an
F-1 student to accept such employment. In order to be eligible for CPT the
internship, practicum, or professional experience must either be a required part
of the academic program or must be for credit. The experience may be full or
part time.
Eligibility
A student must have been in valid F-1 status for
one academic year to be eligible for CPT.
Limitations
There is no limit on the time a student may be authorized curricular
practical training but if a student engages in 12 months or more of full-time
CPT, he/she loses eligibility for Optional Practical Training. A student, who
engages in part-time CPT (no more than 20 hours per week) during the academic
year, must maintain full-time student status while he or she is pursuing the
curricular practical training. You may only work for the employer specified in
the CPT authorization on the back of the Form I-20. You must not begin work
until you have received the CPT authorization.
How to Apply
Undergraduate and GSOM students
must visit the appropriate Career Services office to begin the necessary
paperwork for approval of the internship. Other graduate students need to obtain
a letter from their department chair. See sample below. The next step is to call
the OIA to make an appointment . Please bring the following documents with you
to the appointment.
Letter from department chairperson or Career
Services internship authorization Current I-20 in addition to any previous
I-20’s issued to you Current passport and I-94 card If your advisor in the
OIA determines that curricular practical training falls within the regulations,
she will authorize the CPT. The period of curricular practical training granted
will be indicated on the Form I-20 for the specific employer and time period.
Sample Letter
TO: Office of Intercultural
Affairs
FROM: Name, Title
RE: Recommendation for Curricular
Practical Training for _______________________
DATE: Current Date
This memo is written to confirm
that the above named student is a full-time student in the
Department of _______________ expecting to complete a
Bachelor’s/Master’s/Doctoral degree by Month Day, Year. It is an
integral part of this degree program that a student engages in (an
internship, practicum, field experience, professional practice
etc.). Write a brief description of the work experience including
the title of the position, name and address of the employer, dates
of employment and the number of hours per week, course number,
faculty member supervising, and semester of registration.
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