Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary authorization available to eligible F-1 students when an internship, practicum, fieldwork, research experience, or other practical training is an integral and required part of the student's established curriculum.

CPT is intended for practical training that is required to complete your academic program. It is not general employment authorization and cannot be used solely to gain professional experience, even when the opportunity is related to your field of study or you will receive academic credit.

Important: CPT Eligibility Has Changed

Under updated federal guidance, enrolling in an internship, practicum, research, independent study, or similar course does not by itself make an experience eligible for CPT.

To qualify, the practical training itself must be a required component of your established curriculum. If you can complete your degree without participating in practical training, the experience generally does not qualify for CPT.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for CPT if you:

• Maintain valid F-1 status
• Have completed at least one full academic year of full-time study, unless your graduate program requires immediate participation in practical training;
• Have a specific training opportunity directly related to your major;
• Are pursuing the academic program and major listed on your Form I-20;
• Are required by your established curriculum to complete practical training in order to earn your degree;
• Meet the academic and enrollment requirements associated with the practical training; and
• Receive CPT authorization from VIS before beginning the training.

What does "required by my curriculum" mean?

For CPT purposes, practical training must be an established requirement of your academic program or curriculum.

Generally, this means:

• All students participating in that curriculum are required to complete practical training, regardless of citizenship or immigration status;
• The practical training requirement is established by the academic program and is not created specifically for an individual student's CPT request;
• The requirement involves actual participation in an internship, practicum, fieldwork, research, or comparable practical training experience; and
• You cannot complete the degree without satisfying the practical training requirement.

VIS may review the University's published curriculum and request additional documentation from your academic department to verify the requirement.

Enrollment Requirements

If your practical training qualifies for CPT, you must enroll in the appropriate internship, practicum, research, or other course associated with the required practical training during each term for which CPT is authorized.

• You must enroll in the appropriate course for the semester in which the training occurs, including summer or winter;
• The course must be associated with the required practical training; and
• You must maintain the required course enrollment throughout the CPT authorization period.

Full-Time Enrollment

Fall/Spring: You must maintain the enrollment required for F-1 status or have an approved Reduced Course Load (RCL), when applicable.

Summer/Winter: Full-time enrollment is generally not required unless the term is your final semester. However, you must enroll in the course associated with your CPT authorization.

Thesis and Dissertation Research

Graduate students conducting off-campus thesis or dissertation research may qualify for CPT only when the off-campus practical training or research is required to complete the student's established academic curriculum.

Your academic program may be asked to document:

• The curricular requirement that requires the practical training;
• Why the off-campus activity is necessary to satisfy that requirement;
• How the activity directly relates to your academic program and research; and
• How the practical training contributes to completion of your required theis/dissertation.

Enrollment in thesis, dissertation, research, or independent study credits alone does not establish CPT eligibility.

Work Hours: Full-Time vs. Part-Time

CPT may be authorized on a part-time or full-time basis when permitted by your curriculum and consistent with your F-1 enrollment requirements.

• Part-time CPT: 20 hours or less per week
• Full-time CPT: More than 20 hours per week

Full-time CPT is allowed only if:

• It is Summer or Winter AND it is not your final semester, or
• Your program requires more than 20 hours per week, or
• You are completing thesis/dissertation work and the training supports your research

Effects on OPT Eligibility

If you accumulate 12 months or more of full-time CPT at the same educational level, you will become ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) at that educational level.

Part-time CPT does not eliminate your eligibility for OPT.

Final Semester and Summer CPT

CPT during your final semester or during the summer is subject to the same curricular requirements as CPT during any other semester.

The availability of an internship, the timing of an opportunity, or your desire to gain professional experience before graduation does not establish CPT eligibility.

If practical training is your only remaining degree requirement, the internship must include an in-person component. A fully remote internship is not permitted when you have no other in-person or hybrid course enrollment.

Your offer letter must clearly identify the training location and whether the position is in-person, hybrid, or remote.

How to Apply

Follow the steps below to apply for CPT. You should submit your request at least 5–7 business days before your planned start date.

If you submit a last-minute request, you must contact your academic department and VIS to inform them, and ask if expedited processing is possible.

Submitting a CPT request does not authorize you to begin working. You must receive an updated Form I-20 from VIS showing your CPT authorization before beginning any paid or unpaid practical training.

Step 1: Confirm Your Program Requires Practical Training

Before accepting an internship or submitting a CPT request:

1. Attend a CPT & Pre-Completion OPT Information Session, or review the CPT presentation slides
2. Review your degree requirements.
3. Speak with your academic department to confirm that practical training is a required component of your established curriculum.
4. Confirm that your proposed experience will satisfy that requirement.

Step 2: Secure a Training Opportunity

Your training must be directly related to your major and satisfy the established practical training requirement.

Your official offer letter must include:

• Employer name;
• Position title and job duties;
• Start and end dates;
• Hours per week;
• Whether the position paid or unpaid
• Physical training location;
• Whether the position is in-person, hybrid, or remote;
• Supervisor information; and
• Any other information requested by VIS.

Sample CPT Employment Letter Template

Step 3: Enroll in the Required Course

Register for the appropriate internship, practicum, research, or other course associated with the required practical training for the semester in which your CPT will occur.

Step 4: Submit Your CPT Request

1. Log in to accessVIS using your NetID and password.

2. Select Employment & Training from the left menu.

3. Submit the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) request.

4. Upload your official offer letter.

Your request will be routed to your academic department to verify the curricular requirement and your academic eligibility.

VIS will review your request to determine whether it meets CPT eligibility requirements. VIS typically processes requests within 5–7 business days.

If approved, you will receive an updated Form I-20 showing your CPT authorization.

Do not begin working until you receive your updated I-20 and the authorized CPT start date has been reached.

Extensions and Changes

CPT authorization is specific to the employer, training location, dates, and part-time or full-time designation listed on your Form I-20.

You must receive updated authorization from VIS before:

• Changing employers;
• Changing your training location;
• Extending your employment dates;
• Changing from part-time to full-time employment; or
• Making a significant change to your training activity.

If you extend CPT within the same semester, submit the Extension of CPT Authorization Request in accessVIS, providing evidence of your new proposed end date from your employer (e.g., an email or updated offer letter)

If your CPT continues into a new semester, you must submit a new CPT request and continue to meet the curricular and enrollment requirements.

CPT cannot be authorized retroactively or backdated. Employment outside the dates or conditions authorized on your Form I-20 may constitute unauthorized employment.

Optional Internships and Other Employment Options

An internship, research opportunity, or other employment experience that is related to your field of study but not required by your established curriculum does not qualify for CPT.

If you are interested in an optional internship, contact VIS to discuss whether another form of employment authorization, such as Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), may be available.

Eligibility for another form of employment authorization is determined separately and is not guaranteed.

Remote Internships and Activities

Remote work and internships are possible under CPT, but prior authorization is required for the following paid, or unpaid activities listed below:

• Remote work/activity while inside the U.S. for an U.S. employer.
• Remote work/activity while abroad for a U.S. based employer, or U.S. branch of an employer.
• Remote work/activity while inside the U.S. for a foreign based employer.

CPT authorization is designed for off-campus training that closely connects to your academic learning. Your experience should include structured supervision, with regular assignments and evaluation of your work. You are expected to actively engage in a professional environment that supports your academic goals.

If you participate in a remote position, you must keep clear documentation that shows:

• You had consistent supervision throughout your authorized CPT period
• You actively engaged in a professional environment, even while working remotely

On-Campus Work & CPT Authorization

You may work on campus and participate in CPT at the same time. The number of hours you work on campus does not affect your authorized CPT hours.

While school is in session, you must limit your on-campus employment to 20 hours per week or less. You must also follow the work hours listed on your CPT authorization (part-time or full-time).

Internships Outside the United States

If you complete an internship outside the United States with a foreign company or a foreign branch of a U.S. company, you do not need U.S. work authorization (CPT or OPT).

You should ensure your offer letter and any employer communication clearly state that you will work outside the United States. Keep this documentation for your immigration records in case you are asked to explain your internship.

If you perform any part of this work while you are physically in the United States, you must obtain proper U.S. work authorization. Review the Remote Internships and Activities section above for more information.