F1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Via the Academic Department 

Definition

• Immigration regulations define CPT as training programs that are an integral part of an established curriculum; defined as alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education or any other type of required internship/practicum, which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.
• The ‘training’ may be required for a particular course but the course does not need to be a requirement of a particular program of study.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must have been in lawful student status for one academic year (2 semesters).
• Must be enrolled full-time in Fall/Spring semesters with exceptions limited to students who are less than full-time in their last semester of coursework (ISSO permission is required).

►Possibilities include:

1.       Engineering Internship course (3 cr.) plus 6 thesis/dissertation hrs. 

2.       Independent Study course with a work requirement plus remainder in    thesis/dissertation hrs. (to equal 9 credits). 

3.       Thesis/dissertation registration (upon completion of all coursework) with an additional work requirement.

• Summer internships may be authorized if the work qualifies under either of the academic qualifications on the attached Recommendation Form.

Length of Training
There is no limit on the amount of curricular practical training, but students who engage in 12 months or more of full-time curricular practical training are not eligible for Optional Practical Training.  
 

Application Procedure

• Prepare the following documents:

1.      Unofficial transcript, including proof of registration for semester/term of work experience;

2.      Official job offer letter (on letterhead) including name and location of employer, position description, an indication of whether the work is full-time (over 40 hrs/wk.) or part-time (20 hrs/wk. or less) and beginning and ending date of employment;

3.      Completed recommendation form from Department Chair/Graduate Coordinator, attached.  

• Bring all of the above items with you to your appointment at the International Student/Scholar Office to process the I-20 for CPT, authorizing employment in the U.S.  Please allow 2 days processing time.

Additional Information

• Each and every period of approved employment must have CPT authorization.
• Students participating in Curricular Practical Training, as with other employment, are subject to withholding for federal and state tax unless a tax treaty applies.  At the same time, such students are exempt from Social Security tax (FICA) and Medicare withholding.

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CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING VIA THE ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT

RECOMMENDATION FORM FOR F-1 STUDENT 

This form provides the information required for the ISSO to grant off-campus employment under Curricular Practical Training for F-1 international students.  The student’s Department Chair or Graduate Coordinator must complete and sign this form.  If you have questions, please direct them to Marian Beane (mebeane@uncc.edu) or Denise Medeiros (dvmedei@uncc.edu) in the ISSO by calling (704) 687-7781.

STUDENT INFORMATION

Name: ______________________________________________

Major:________________

Circle one:         Bachelor           Master              PhD

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

As per immigration regulations, in order to qualify for Curricular Practical Training, the student MUST either get credit in a course (such as an internship course or an independent study) which has a work requirement, or the work MUST be required for the degree.  The Department Chair or Graduate Coordinator must certify and check one of the following categories. 

1. _____ The student will get credit in an independent study course or course that requires a work experience.  (The course must be taken either concurrently or in the fall semester immediately following a summer work experience.) 

 Course Title & Number _______________________  Credit hrs. offered _______ 

Semester student will take course: _______________

2. _____ The work experience is a required part of the research for this graduate student’s thesis, project or dissertation.

Please be specific about how it is required: ________________________________________________________________________

      ________________________________________________________________________

1. When do you expect this student to complete his/her program? ___________ 
2. Thesis/Project hrs. offered for this experience: _____________
3. Semester student will have the work experience: _____________

Department Chair/Graduate Coordinator Certification: 

I understand that by signing this form, I have reviewed the job offer letter and I am certifying that this training program meets one of the criteria of Curricular Practical Training described above.

_________________________________________________   ___________________

Signature                                                                                 Date

 _______________________________   __________________   _________________

Print Name                                          Title                            Department                 

 _______________________________   __________________

Email                                                   Phone