Curricular Practical Training (CPT): A Guide for Faculty and Staff

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of employment authorization available to eligible F-1 international students when practical experience in the U.S. is an integral part of their academic program.

Faculty and staff play an important role in helping students create an academic plan to fulfill all their degree requirements, including identifying experiential learning opportunities that may be needed to complete essential academic requirements. Understanding the basics of CPT can help ensure students receive appropriate guidance.

What is CPT?

CPT allows eligible F-1 students to participate in off-campus practical training that fulfills an academic requirement and is directly related to their major field. Examples may include internships, practicums, clinical placements, or other required or experiential learning opportunities necessitated by the academic curriculum.

Students must receive CPT authorization from their ISSO advisor before they begin their experience. Students cannot begin any training activity until the authorization has been approved and the CPT start date is current as the authorization in SEVIS is date and employer specific. Employment authorization (CPT or otherwise) is required for all off campus experiential learning opportunities whether they are paid or unpaid opportunities.

The central question in determining CPT eligibility is not whether a job is relevant to a student’s field of study or would enhance the student’s resume, but whether that training is an integral part of the established curriculum. CPT can only be used when practical training is required to complete the student’s academic program—not simply when a student wants or needs professional experience.

General Eligibility

While eligibility requirements vary by academic program, students generally must:

  • Maintain valid F-1 student status
  • Have completed one academic year of enrollment
  • Be enrolled in an eligible academic program where students must complete experiential learning experiences that is required of all students in the program
  • Be enrolled in concurrent coursework that reflects the experience on the student’s transcript
  • Find a qualifying opportunity that is directly related to their major field of study
  • Meet any academic requirements or prerequisites established by their program
  • Receive CPT authorization before beginning work

Not all internships or employment opportunities qualify for CPT. Opportunities that are not integral to the academic program but would be beneficial for a student’s resume are not eligible for CPT. Students should pursue Pre-Completion OPT with their ISSO Advisor in this case.

The Role of Academic Departments

Academic departments are responsible for designing curriculum that requires practical training experience. During the process of applying for CPT, students will be required to list a designated departmental faculty/staff member (as designated by the department) as an “Academic Approver”. Academic Approvers should be able to answer the following questions before approving or recommending a CPT experience:

  • Is the experience a required component of the curriculum?
    Identify the specific degree requirement(s) that the CPT experience fulfills and describe the academic requirements, minimum standards, and deliverables that will be used to evaluate the student’s successful completion of the experience.
  • Will the academic component be meaningfully supervised or evaluated by the academic program?
    The advisor should identify how the student’s practical experience will be incorporated into coursework, academic assessment, faculty supervision, or another established curricular process.
  • Would this curricular component exist for all students regardless of their immigration status?
    To be truly integral to an academic program, the experiential learning requirement must apply to all students- regardless of immigration status.

ISSO is responsible for making the final immigration determination and authorizing CPT in SEVIS. Academic approval does not guarantee CPT authorization. ISSO may request additional documentation or clarification when the curricular basis for an experience is unclear.

Best Practices for Strong Curricular Models for CPT

  • required for degree completion for all students in the program
  • reflected on a student’s transcript concurrent with the experience
  • required for a thesis or dissertation
  • clear minimum hours of professional experience and other articulated academic outcomes that fulfill program requirements

Curricular Models that do Not Support CPT Authorization

  • elective courses not required of all students in the program
  • directed study courses
  • experiences that are desirable for professional development or resume building
  • experiences that are not measured with meaningful academic standards

How Can an Academic Program Structure a Curriculum that is Supportive of CPT?

Academic departments should work to incorporate experiences into their curriculums that are required for degree completion for all students who enroll. Please contact ISSO to submit a request for CPT eligibility evaluation to have your program’s experience vetted for eligibility.

Program Approval Form
Coming Soon

Students risk jeopardizing their F-1 status and SEVIS record termination of the student’s SEVIS record for “Unauthorized Employment”, severely jeopardizing their future ability to remain in the US.

Questions?

Immigration regulations are complex, and CPT eligibility depends on both academic and federal immigration requirements. Faculty and staff with questions about a student’s eligibility or the CPT process should contact the ISSO.