CPT Academic Requirement Confirmation

As an academic department, you play an important role in the CPT authorization process. You are responsible for confirming that a student's proposed off-campus activity is directly related to their academic program and fulfills a required curricular component.

Updated federal guidance has narrowed the requirements for CPT eligibility. Please review the information below before submitting a verification.

Your verification supports VIS's review but does not determine CPT eligibility. Final eligibility is determined by VIS. Previous CPT approval or past departmental practices do not establish eligibility under current federal guidance.

What the Department Confirms

When reviewing a CPT request, you must confirm that:

• The student is in good academic standing and making satisfactory progress toward the degree.
• The off-campus activity is directly related to the student's major(s)/academic program.
• The practical training is required for the degree. All students in the program or track must complete the requirement, regardless of citizenship or immigration status.
• The student cannot complete the degree without completing this requirement.
• The requirement is documented in the University's published catalog.
• The student is enrolled in, or will enroll in, the required practicum, internship, fieldwork or research course for the applicable period.

Course enrollment alone does not establish CPT eligibility. You must confirm that the practical training itself fulfills a required curricular component.

What Does Not Establish Eligibility

The following do not, by themselves, establish CPT eligibility:

• The student will receive academic credit.
• The practical training course is an elective.
• The activity satisfies elective or general credit requirements.
• You recommend or encourage the activity.
• A faculty member agrees to supervise the activity.
• The activity can substitute for another course or requirement.
• The activity is one of several optional ways the student can satisfy a requirement.

If the student can complete their degree without completing the off-campus activity, the activity does not qualify for CPT, even if the student receives academic credit.

Important Reminders

• The student cannot begin the practical training until CPT authorization is approved by VIS and listed on the student’s Form I-20.
• CPT cannot be authorized retroactively.
• The student may only engage in approved CPT for that specific employer, training location, dates, and part-time or full-time designation listed on the Form I-20.
• Changes to training dates, employer, work location, number of hours or course registration may require a new CPT authorization.

Processing Expectations

You are asked to complete CPT verification requests within 2-3 business days to avoid delays in authorization. All requests are submitted electronically through accessVIS.

If you have questions about whether a program requirement meets the current CPT standard, contact VIS at vis@stonybrook.edu.