Master's Internships: Cpt Options For International Students

International master's students on an F-1 visa can do internships with CPT (Curricular Practical Training), a type of work authorization that allows them to gain academic credit for paid and unpaid off-campus internships. CPT is only required if the internship takes place in the US; if it takes place outside the US, no authorization is needed. CPT is only authorized for students who have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year, are not studying English as a second language, and have secured a training position. Students must also be enrolled full-time during the CPT semester, except during their final semester. CPT is meant to be an integral part of a student's degree program, allowing them to gain real-world training experiences in their major field of study.

CPT requirements for international master's students

CPT Requirements for International Masters Students

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 international students to participate in paid and unpaid off-campus internships and practicums during their degree program. CPT is only authorized for students who are physically located inside the US and is given on a semester basis. Students must apply separately for each semester they wish to do CPT.

To qualify for CPT, students must meet the following requirements:

• Be enrolled at an SEVP-certified college, university, or seminary
• Have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for at least a full academic year (with an exception for graduate studies requiring earlier training)
• Not be studying English as a second language
• Have secured a training position
• Have completed at least one year of full-time study (two semesters) in the US before being authorized for an off-campus internship

Students must also register for an internship course that is offered by their academic department. They can submit a completed Request for D-Clearance Form to their department staff advisor for review. Students in certain master's degree programs may not need to register for an internship course to apply for CPT.

Additionally, students must maintain their F-1 status each semester and be enrolled full-time for the semester they wish to pursue CPT. An exception to this is during the student's final semester. Students must also complete all internship courses to be eligible for current and future CPT authorizations. CPT is strongly recommended for unpaid internships to demonstrate that the practical experience is part of the curriculum and to maintain the student's status.

CPT registration process

The CPT registration process varies depending on the location and the type of course.

CPT registration in the US

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 international students to participate in paid and unpaid off-campus internships and practicums during their degree programme. CPT authorization is only required when the training is inside the United States.

To apply for CPT, students must have been in F-1 student status for at least one academic year in a degree-seeking programme. Students must also be enrolled full-time for the semester they wish to pursue the CPT. An exception is made for a student's final semester. Students who drop below the full course load after being granted CPT must notify OIS and stop working immediately.

Students must successfully complete all internship courses to be eligible for current and future CPT authorisations. Students can work remotely in the US or abroad if the employer allows it and the student adheres to the in-person requirements of their courses.

The CPT application process involves seeking a position directly related to the degree programme. The student must be offered the position before submitting their CPT application. The student must then fill out the CPT application in Terra Dotta for ISS. The application must include an employment letter and the student's Career Advisor's email in the verification portion of the form. The student's career advisor must be able to complete a verification for ISS.

The student will receive an email from ISS when their I-20 with CPT authorisation is available. The student must then collect the I-20 and verify that the dates, part-time/full-time status, employer name, and location are correct. The student must then sign and date the I-20 in blue ink. The employer should ask to see the I-20 with CPT authorisation to complete the new employee paperwork.

CPT registration in India

The CA CPT registration process, now renamed the CA Foundation level, is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Accountant. Students must fulfil the basic eligibility criteria to qualify for the CA Foundation or CPT level. The student must have passed the 10+2 examination from a recognised board.

The student must then register on the official portal of ICAI. They must fill in all the necessary details, such as name, date of birth, mobile number, email ID, and Aadhar number. They must also set a unique password. Once the account is created, the student can log in to the registration portal.

The student must then upload a scanned copy of the required documents.

CPT work hours

F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows international students to participate in paid and unpaid off-campus internships during their degree program. CPT is only available prior to the completion of a student's degree program, and they must have a job offer at the time of application. CPT employment may not delay the completion of the academic program.

CPT authorization can be given on a part-time or full-time basis, in accordance with the school's policies. While school is in session, students are limited to working 20 hours per week. Students can work part-time on-campus and full-time CPT simultaneously, as long as the work does not interfere with their academic progress. CPT is only authorized for the dates of the specific semester, and students must apply separately for each semester they wish to do CPT.

Students who are enrolled in degree programs that require an internship or practicum hours to fulfill degree requirements are exempt from registering in an internship course for CPT purposes. However, they must still register for the internship course offered by their academic department.

Full-time enrollment is 12 credit hours for undergraduate students, 8 credit hours for graduate students, and 6 credit hours for Graduate Student Instructors and Graduate Student Research Assistants. Students who are engaged in thesis/dissertation work and have finished their coursework are still eligible for CPT, only if the CPT is an integral part of their thesis/dissertation or research.

Students who have received a program extension to extend the end date on the I-20 will need to discuss the nature of their program extension to determine whether CPT will further delay their completion of studies.

CPT eligibility

CPT, or Curricular Practical Training, is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 international students to participate in paid and unpaid off-campus internships and practicums during their degree program. CPT is only authorized for internships that take place inside the United States.

To be eligible for CPT, students must:

• Be enrolled in a degree program that requires an internship or practicum hours to fulfill degree requirements.
• Be enrolled full-time for at least one academic year (two semesters) before becoming eligible for CPT. Exceptions include graduate students who are required to complete an internship within the first year of their program.
• Have declared a major.
• Have secured a training position that is academically appropriate and related to their current degree.
• Be enrolled in an internship course that is offered by their academic department.
• Maintain a full course of study even when CPT is authorized.
• Be in their final semester to work full-time.
• Be able to demonstrate that the internship is an integral part of their established curriculum.

CPT authorization

CPT, or Curricular Practical Training, is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 international students to participate in paid and unpaid off-campus internships and practicums during their degree program. CPT is only authorized for students who are physically inside the US and is given on a semester-by-semester basis, with students needing to apply separately for each semester.

To qualify for CPT, students must be enrolled full-time for the semester they wish to pursue the CPT, with the exception of their final semester. Students must also have completed at least one year of full-time study (two semesters) in the US before being authorized for an off-campus internship. CPT is integral to a student's major and must be considered part of their program of study.

Students can work full-time with department approval but must have part-time enrollment and indicate that they are in their final semester on the CPT request. CPT can be authorized for full-time (20+ hours per week) for Ph.D. or master's students who are registered only for thesis or dissertation units. Students may also work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) on campus and part-time CPT simultaneously.

To apply for CPT authorization, students must submit all required documents through the M-Passport portal. The CPT application will then be reviewed by an International Student and Scholar Advisor, who will approve the CPT and create a CPT I-20 showing this approval. The normal processing time is 1-2 weeks, but students should expect processing to take two full weeks during peak request times in April, September, and January. Students cannot begin work, paid or unpaid, until their CPT I-20 is printed and signed.

Frequently asked questions