Curricular Practical Training

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is defined as an alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with a school (8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)). It is granted as an integral part of an established curriculum, such as an internship or practicum, for which academic credits are awarded.

Important CPT information

• Students may not begin the internship before the OISS authorized CPT start date. CPT authorization cannot be backdated.
  • CPT authorization is granted 1 semester at a time. Each semester, including summer, the student must be reauthorized for CPT so that class enrollment may be verified.
  • A course used for CPT in the fall or spring semester may not be an online or distance education course if it is the only course a student is taking that semester. A course is considered "online" or "distance education" if it does not require a student's physical attendance in a classroom for classes, exams or "other purposes integral to completion of the class." These courses include those offered "principally through the use of television, audio, or computer transmission, including open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, satellite, audio conferencing, or computer conferencing." (8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G)).
  • To reauthorize the CPT, students must complete a new online request.
• International students are exempt from paying Social Security and Medicare taxes for the first 5 years in the U.S., but are required to pay all federal and state taxes.

Acceptable reasons to apply for CPT

Work with your academic advisor to ensure the required supporting documents are submitted to avoid delays in your CPT application.

• Internship is integral in the research for the student's thesis or dissertation required for program completion.
  • Must be enrolled in a thesis or dissertation course.
• Required of all students in the program to complete their program.
  • Submit a copy of program requirements for verification. The selected class must not be an elective.
• Internship required to complete a course in the student's program, including required electives. Work with your academic advisor for them to submit the following to show that the course is required for your program completion:
  • Graduate students: submit either the Graduate School approved program of study, course handbook, or course catalog outlining the program requirements.
    • If you have an approved program of study, this must be submitted with the selected class listed as one of the courses for the requested term.
  • Undergraduate students: submit your academic requirements highlighting the selected course as a requirement for your completion.

CPT eligibility

• Enrolled full-time (FT) or have authorization to be enrolled part-time (PT) for one continuous academic year.
  • Graduate students exception to one year requirement - internship must be required of all students in the program within the first year.
• Must maintain FT enrollment or have authorization for PT enrollment during CPT.
• Internship must be in the current major.
  • Not eligible for minor programs.
• Must enroll in a course required for program completion corresponding to the internship. Could be at least 1 credit of internship, independent study or other academic course.
  • Fall or spring enrollment may be used for wintermester CPT requests.
• Students starting a program after post-completion OPT must meet the above enrollment requirement to be eligible for CPT.

Full- or part-time CPT options

• Employment is limited to a total of 20 hours per week (on- and off-campus combined) during fall and spring semesters.
  • The 20 hours per week may be split between on-campus and CPT (e.g. 10 hours on-campus and 10 hours CPT).
• Semester breaks (summer, winter, and spring) - CPT may be used FT (more than 20 hours per week) even if you have on-campus employment.
• Regular academic semester (fall and spring semesters) - CPT may only be used PT (20 hours or less per week), unless a student qualifies for an exception as listed below.
• Exception. Students in their last semester may be eligible for FT CPT or may split 40 hours per week between CPT and on-campus employment if they satisfy the following requirements. Talk to an OISS advisor for further clarification.
  • Must be in their last semester.
  • Must have applied for graduation.
  • May only by used once per major.
  • Students working on campus, including assistantship, must submit their Workday job overview in their profile.
    • If you will terminate any other employment, including assistantship, for 40 hours per week of CPT, submit your Workday job overview or a memo from your employer verifying the employment will be terminated before the CPT start date.
    • Your I-20 will be updated to reflect the change in funding if the employment was used for your I-20 funding.
    • You may be required to show new proof of funding if the CPT employment will not cover the requirement. The current requirement for one academic year is $49,209 for graduate students or $47,219 for undergraduate students (subject to change, refer to Financial data form for the amount).
    • If the funding will not be your own, your sponsor should submit the Financial data form.
  • Your Academic Advisor must provide a comment in their electronic recommendation verifying that:
    • you are in your last semester,
    • the internship is REQUIRED for program completion.
  • OISS may ask for other evidence to support your application as needed.
• Students who have FT CPT for 12 months or more forfeit post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) for the current education level.
• PT CPT does not count towards the 12 months limit, i.e. after 12 months of PT CPT, the student is still eligible for 12 months of post-completion OPT.