Definition & Preconditions

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization allows international students in F-1 status to pursue internships and other off-campus training or employment opportunities before completing their course of study. There must be a direct and significant link between the training opportunity and the student’s major field of study.

 

Definition: The regulations state that a student may participate in a "curricular practical training program" that is

  • "an integral part of an established curriculum" and
  • "directly related to his or her major area of study."

The regulations further define CPT as "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."

 

Preconditions: Prior to applying for CPT, F-1 students have the responsibility to A) ensure they meet all of the eligibility criteria for CPT, and B) collect all of the documentation required. International Center (IC) advisors will not accept invalid or incomplete CPT applications.

Offer of employment/training: To qualify for CPT, students must first obtain a detailed training description from a company or employer. This training offer must comprehensively include a specific set of details to be considered valid.

Approval process: CPT authorization comes in the form of a new I-20. The new I-20 will indicate the training start and end date, the employer name and address, and whether the authorization is for part-time or full-time CPT. No work, paid or unpaid, may take place before the CPT I-20 is printed.

Location and duration: Students may engage in CPT only for the specific company/organization, location, and time period approved and recorded on the I-20 form. CPT is reviewed on a semester-by-semester basis; any training that spans multiple semesters will require separate applications for each semester. The regulations do not prohibit multiple, concurrent CPT authorizations, although each individual authorization requires a separate application.

Hours per week: CPT can be approved for part-time (20 hours or less) or full-time (over 20 hours).