International Student Services

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)


CPT is structured training that is a regular part of the curriculum whether required or optional.  Examples include cooperative education, internship, practicum, work-study, etc. An application for CPT must be submitted to the International Student Advisor and be approved before you can begin work.  CPT is job specific, employer specific and date specific.  Prior to being granted work authorization for CPT, you must have a specific job assigned through work-study programs such as cooperative education, required internship, or practicum.  In addition, employment pursuant to CPT must be directly related to your field of study and commensurate with the level of study.  Below are some conditions of CPT:

Student must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis at an INS approved school for one full academic year before being eligible for CPT.

Available only while student is in F-1 status, before completion of the educational objective.

Must continue to maintain a full course of study in F-1 status during the period of employment.

May be granted in increments of no more than one year, or until expected date of employment completion, whichever is shorter.

Can be approved for part-time (20 hours or less) or full-time (over 20 hours). 

Use of full-time CPT for one year or more eliminates the eligibility for Optional Practical Training.

Application Process

You may not begin employment until your application has been approved by the International Student Advisor and you have received your new I-20.

Allow two weeks for processing after submission of complete application, including the following:

  1. Your I-20 ID.
  2. A cover letter from yourself describing the type of Curricular Practical Training employment you propose to do.  Explain why and how you believe this training will assist you in your home country.  Describe how the proposed employment is directly related to your field of study and commensurate with the level of study.
  3. Evidence of enrollment in the appropriate course and that a job placement has been assigned.  (Only if you are doing an internship for credit)
  4. A letter from your employer (on letterhead) addressed to the Assistant Dean of Students and including the following information:
    • Name of the employer issuing the paycheck and location of the employment.  (Note:  if the location involves a second employer, identify that employer by name).
    • Your proposed occupation including:  the title of your position, a detailed description of your duties, number of working hours per week, and the salary with clear indication of what entity will be issuing a paycheck.
    • The exact date when your employment is expected to begin and the date employment will terminate (employment should not exceed time limitations).  Employment may begin only after written work authorization is issued on Form I-20 ID. 
    • Clear indication that the employer understands that your employment authorization is to be under the terms of Curricular Practical Training which involves various restrictions including time limitations. 
    • That the employer has not and will not terminate the employment of a lawful United States resident in order to hire you. 
  5. A letter of certification (on letterhead), addressed to the Assistant Dean of Students from the chairman of your academic department or from your academic advisor.  Please show your proposal letter and employer’s letter to your academic department as a basis for their letter to be written.  The following information should be included:
    • Indication that your proposal letter and employment letter have been reviewed.
    • A brief description of your degree program and how the proposed Curricular Practical Training is directly related to your academic program and commensurate with your level of study. 
    • Estimated date of graduation and indication that participation in Curricular Practical Training will not interfere with satisfactory progress toward graduation by the deadline indicated on your I-20 ID.  (Be prepared to show a copy of your I-20 ID to the department).

Any points missing in your letter, the employer’s letter, or the departmental letter will delay the processing of paperwork.  Please follow instructions carefully.