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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

student working in electrical engineering lab

CPT is the work authorization you need for an Academic Internship

CPT allows you to work off-campus in a position related to your field of study.  You can only do CPT during your academic degree and you must register for the appropriate academic credit for the experience. You cannot delay your degree completion for a non-required internship. If you are a graduate student completing a thesis or dissertation and you are in your final semester then Optional Practical Training is often a more appropriate work authorization.

Important Information

You must be in F1 student status

You must have completed at least 2 full-time semesters (Fall and Spring) immediately prior to CPT

Internship must be directly related to your academic program

You must enroll in appropriate university credit for the internship

You must have authorization through ISS before you start work

Students in the Intensive English Program and Pathway Program are not eligible for CPT

You must study for at least one semester full time in your new degree program after OPT participation. CPT cannot be used as a mechanism to continue working after OPT has ended.

IMPORTANT: CPT is limited to part-time (20 hours or less) during the Fall and Spring semester. During summer and winter breaks, CPT may be full-time. This makes it difficult to participate in on-campus work and CPT during the semester.

It is not usually possible to do a graduate assistantship and a non-required internship during the Fall or Spring semester because of the 20 hours/week work limit.

Each semester of internship requires a separate CPT authorization.

If you complete 12 months of full-time CPT then you will not be able to apply for OPT work authorization.

Plan your internship start date to allow enough time for the CPT application to be completed (approximately 3-4 weeks).