F1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Via the University Career Center 

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).
• Part-time work experiences (49erships) in Fall/Spring semesters require students to be enrolled full-time with exceptions limited to students who are less than full-time in their last semester of coursework (ISSO permission is required). 
• Summer work experiences may be full or part-time, as long as the student will continue to be enrolled the following Fall semester or if the student is enrolled in summer coursework as the final term of study.  (Students who have completed all coursework and are enrolled only in “thesis/dissertation” should consider applying for CPT via the Academic Department or Optional Practical Training). 
• Co-ops for part or full-time work must also be approved by the University Career Center.

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.
 

Additional Information

• Every term of work experience must be approved by the University Career Center and authorized by the ISSO.
• All work experiences approved by the University Career Center will be reflected on the student’s transcript as either a Co-op, 49ership Program Course 3500, or the appropriate number as per discipline in one of the approved courses. 
• 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.

Application Procedure

1. Contact the University Career Center regarding procedures for participation in a 49ership or a co-op program.
2. Upon approval of the University Career Center, make an appointment at the International Student/Scholar Office to process the I-20 for CPT, authorizing employment in the U.S.
3. Take the Appointment Form provided by the University Career Center to your appointment in the ISSO.