Savanna Hoffman
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows international students on F-1 visas to gain practical experience in their field of study. CPT is available to students who have completed at least one full academic year and have a valid job or internship offer related to their major. CPT can be full-time or part-time, and students must maintain full-time enrollment during the fall and winter CPT. While CPT provides a great opportunity for international students to gain work experience in the US, there are restrictions on the number of hours worked and the type of employment. Additionally, CPT authorization is only required for training inside the United States, and students must have the necessary documentation before starting their employment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible for CPT? | International students holding F-1 visas who have completed at least one full academic year of school |
| What is CPT? | A temporary work authorization for international students on F-1 visas |
| What does CPT allow students to do? | Gain professional experience in the US, take an internship during the academic year or the summer, and earn college credit for their CPT internship |
| What are the requirements for CPT? | Students must have a valid job or internship offer, the job must be related to the student's field of study, and it must satisfy an integral component of the student's academic program |
| When can students start CPT? | CPT must start on or after the date that it is authorized, and it must end before the student's academic program ends |
| How long can students participate in CPT? | There is no limit to CPT, and it is possible to have multiple part-time CPT jobs at once; however, 12 months or more of full-time CPT will make students ineligible for OPT |
| Can students work outside of the US with CPT? | CPT authorization is only required when the training is inside the United States |
| Are there different types of CPT? | Yes, there are two types: required and optional. Required CPT is when the academic program mandates practical work experience for all students in order to graduate, while optional CPT is work experience directly related to the student's field of study that is not required. |
| Are there any restrictions on CPT employment? | Students must maintain full-time enrollment during CPT, and the job must be appropriate to the student's level of study and major field of study |
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What You'll Learn
CPT authorization is only required for training inside the US
CPT authorization is only required when the training takes place inside the United States. For instance, a summer internship in a student's home country does not require CPT authorization.
CPT authorization is given on a semester basis, and students must apply separately for each semester they wish to do CPT. The CPT start date must be on or after the date that CPT is authorized in SEVIS. Students cannot legally work before CPT is authorized in SEVIS. CPT authorization is employer-specific and is valid only for the student's current employer.
DSOs must authorize CPT on either a part-time or full-time basis, in accordance with school policies. When school is in session, the student must maintain a full course of study even when CPT is authorized. CPT requires a signed cooperative agreement or a letter from the employer.
To be eligible for CPT authorization, students must have been in F-1 student status for at least one academic year in a degree-seeking program. They must also have successfully completed all internship courses to be considered for current and future CPT authorizations.
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CPT is temporary work authorization for international students on F-1 visas
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a temporary work authorization for international students on F-1 visas. It allows international students to work off-campus during their academic program, providing they have completed at least one full academic year of full-time study. The work experience must be directly related to the student's academic program and add real-world value to their degree.
CPT is a great option for international students seeking to gain professional experience in the US. It allows them to take up internships during the academic year or the summer, and many students can also earn college credit for their CPT internship, depending on their school's offerings. CPT is exclusively for F-1 student visa holders and is tied to a specific employer, job, and duration.
To be eligible for CPT, students must meet certain requirements. Firstly, they must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for at least one full academic year. An exception exists for graduate students whose programs require earlier training. Secondly, students must not be studying English as a second language. Lastly, they must have secured a training position, which is only required when the training takes place inside the United States.
The Designated School Official (DSO) plays a crucial role in authorizing CPT for eligible students. They must ensure that the student meets the necessary criteria and that the CPT aligns with the school's policies. The DSO will provide the student with a Form I-20, indicating their approval for the training opportunity.
Students seeking CPT should be mindful of the potential impact on their eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Engaging in 12 months or more of full-time CPT makes students ineligible for OPT, whereas part-time CPT does not affect OPT eligibility. Students must carefully consider their choices and seek advice from their academic program advisors to make informed decisions regarding CPT and OPT.
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CPT is available only prior to the completion of your degree program
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of employment that is considered an integral part of an established curriculum. It can include internships, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. CPT is only available to students prior to the completion of their degree program. This means that students must have a job offer at the time of application, and the CPT employment must not delay the completion of their academic program.
Students must maintain full-time enrollment during the fall and winter CPT, which can limit their CPT during the academic year to local jobs or working remotely for their employer, usually on a part-time basis. Full-time CPT is defined as employment for more than 20 hours per week. It is important to note that 12 months or more of full-time CPT will make students ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
During the final term of study, students must comply with specific enrollment and physical presence requirements to pursue CPT. For example, at the University of Michigan, students must be enrolled and physically present on campus in Ann Arbor to comply with F-1 requirements. Additionally, if CPT is optional and not required for the final term, students must enroll in a separate in-person course in addition to the designated CPT course.
CPT authorization is granted by Designated School Officials (DSOs) for F-1 students enrolled at an SEVP-certified college, university, conservatory, or seminary. To be authorized for CPT, students must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for at least a full academic year, not be studying English as a second language, and have secured a training position. CPT authorization is generally only required when the training takes place inside the United States.
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CPT can be full-time or part-time
CPT, or Curricular Practical Training, is a type of work permission available to F-1 students in the United States. CPT is integral to an F-1 student's major, and the experience must be a part of their program of study. CPT can be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis.
Full-time CPT must be authorised by a Designated School Official (DSO) and is typically authorised for one semester at a time. Students must have an I-20 form with valid CPT authorisation dates before they can begin their practical training experience. A change in part-time/full-time CPT authorisation requires a new CPT application.
Part-time CPT is also authorised by a DSO and is typically authorised for one semester at a time. Students must have an I-20 form with valid CPT authorisation dates before they can begin their practical training experience. Part-time CPT does not make students ineligible for OPT (Optional Practical Training).
Students can request a CPT extension if their CPT experience will extend beyond the authorised semester. This can be done by submitting a CPT request form in Terra Dotta.
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CPT is processed and authorized term by term
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of employment that is an integral part of an established curriculum. It is available only before the completion of a degree program, and students must have a job offer at the time of application. CPT employment must not delay the completion of the academic program.
To apply for CPT, you must be enrolled in a CPT course. These courses are set up and approved by the U-M Office of the Registrar. If CPT employment takes place during the winter or fall term, you must be registered for the CPT course during that term. If CPT employment takes place during the spring/summer term, you may register either in the preceding winter term or during the spring/summer term.
For CPT authorization, you will need to compile several documents, which can take time. First, take the CPT Certification Course and save your CPT Certificate as a PDF. Next, meet with your company or employer and obtain a Detailed Training Description. Then, meet with your Academic or Faculty Advisor to discuss your CPT plans in detail. If your advisor believes the training is integral to your curriculum, they may recommend you for CPT by completing the Academic/Faculty Advisor Recommendation Form. Your advisor may also help you enroll in a Registrar Designated CPT course (if applicable). Once you have gathered all the required documents, log in to the M-Passport portal, click on Requests > CPT Authorization, and follow the instructions.
It is important to note that CPT authorization takes 1-2 weeks for the IC to process. Additionally, DSOs can cancel CPT before the CPT start date. After the CPT start date, the DSO can only edit the authorization to shorten the CPT end date. DSOs must authorize CPT either on a part-time or full-time basis, in accordance with school policies.
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Frequently asked questions
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows international students on F-1 visas to gain practical experience in their field of study. CPT is available to students who have completed at least one full academic year and have a valid job or internship offer related to their major.
To be eligible for CPT, students must have completed at least one full academic year, have a valid F-1 visa, and be enrolled in a CPT course. The job or internship must be related to the student's field of study and must satisfy an integral component of their academic program. CPT authorization is only required when the training takes place inside the United States.
Yes, CPT is available for both in-state and out-of-state employment. However, students must maintain full-time enrollment during the fall and winter CPT terms, which may make employment outside of the local area impractical. Additionally, CPT employment may not delay the completion of the student's academic program.
