Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Course Credit Requirement

OIP advisers can authorize CPT for an activity that is “integral to your established curriculum,” as allowed by the immigration rules. How do we assess this?

A training activity must be either:

• Required for all students in your degree program for graduation (the requirement must be clearly outlined in the curriculum description online) OR
• Optional and credit-bearing; this means you have checked with your academic department and confirmed you can earn internship credits in your academic department according to the rules below.

Credit requirement for optional CPT:

• This is an OIP requirement: even if your academic department does not require you to earn credit for optional training/work experience, OIP requires the credit.
• The credit could be an internship, cooperative education program, practicum, independent study, or similar course through your academic department—your department adviser can help identify the appropriate course. Internship courses outside of your academic department usually do not qualify for CPT (such as General Studies).
• The credit must be earned in the same quarter for which CPT is authorized, though exceptions may be granted for students pursuing CPT during their vacation or break.
• You must earn at least one CPT-related credit for each semester of authorization granted.
• Graduate students may not use thesis or dissertation credit to fulfill the CPT credit requirement.
• If you apply for CPT authorization in your final semester, you must register for at least one additional course in addition to your CPT-credit. CPT-credit cannot be the only credit on your final semester schedule unless it is fulfilling a degree requirement.
• Multiple CPT positions in one semester: if you apply for CPT authorization for two different overlapping positions, you must register for a separate CPT-credit for each position. Multiple overlapping, part-time CPTs may count as full-time CPT days for OPT eligibility. If the two positions do not overlap, no additional credit is required–the sequential positions can be linked to one CPT credit.

Department Adviser Role with CPT

Department advisers must assist with the CPT application in order to identify internship course credit. Every department and college on campus handles internship credits differently.
Students are responsible for determining how their academic department manages internship credit.

A Department Adviser may be:

• Major academic adviser
• Graduate program coordinator
• Career Services/or Internship adviser

The department adviser is responsible for completing the “Adviser Section” of the CPT application on your behalf; this person should be familiar with the student’s degree program and job/internship offer.

Provide your department adviser with this information before you apply for CPT through OIP:

• Expected graduation quarter/year
• Course number of credit you will earn for CPT (unless the work is required for all students in your degree program)
• Number of credits you will earn per quarter of CPT authorization
• Which semester you will register for CPT-related credit
  (Example: if your proposed employment is from January 20 to April 15, you must earn CPT-related credit in spring semester.)
  (Vacation quarters: if you will apply for CPT during your annual vacation break, it may be possible to defer your CPT credit to the immediate following semester; consult your department adviser)
• Brief description of proposed work experience and how it relates to your major/field of study
• Name of your employer (Caution! If you are working for a staffing or recruiting agency, confirm with them if they must be listed as your employer).
• Employer’s (work site) address: street address, city, state, and zip code
• Notify adviser to expect an email invitation to complete the “Adviser Section” of your CPT application.

How to Apply

Do not start a job or internship until you receive CPT authorization from OIP (new I-20).

Allow one week for processing.

Application Overview:

1. Confirm eligibility for CPT
2. Contact your department adviser to learn about the internship course credit policy in your academic department.
3. Find a job/internship offer
4. Coordinate with department adviser to ensure they have all the necessary info to complete the “Adviser” section of the CPT application
5. Submit “ALL” of CPT application (click CPT Application)
6. Allow one week for processing:
   –5 business days for OIP processing. Do not start job/internship before approval! Expedited processing is rarely possible.

After you submit the student section:

• OIP requires 5 business days for processing from date we receive the completed CPT application.
• Do not begin working until (a) you have received your I-20 endorsed for CPT and (b) the date listed on page 2 of your new I-20.
• You might need to contact your employer/CPT supervisor to defer your start date if you don’t allow enough time for OIP processing.
• You will receive an email notification from OIP when your CPT approval (new I-20) is ready.

After CPT Approval

1. Review your CPT authorization (printed on page 2 of your new I-20).
2. Think of your CPT application and authorization as a contract. Follow the rules of the authorization; don’t work outside of the start and end dates.
3. Register for the required CPT-credits indicated in your CPT application. If you forget, you will not be eligible for future CPT or OPT.
4. Notify the OIP of any changes, such as ending the training position early, not doing the job, etc.
5. If your CPT position is paid, apply for a Social Security Number if you don’t already have an SSN.
6. If your CPT position is paid, use your new I-20 with CPT approval, together with your passport and I-94 record, as proof of your eligibility to work. These documents may be used to complete the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 that all U.S. employers are required to complete.

CPT Updates (Extensions, Shortens, Etc.):

Extension vs. new application

Extension = If the new requested end date is before the start of the next academic quarter. For extensions, complete the “CPT Update Request” below.

New Application = If the new requested end date overlaps with the next academic quarter, this is not an extension. You must submit a new online CPT application.

CPT shortened end dates:

If you stop your position early, notify OIP immediately. You will still be required to register for and earn CPT-related credit according to the application.