1. Curricular Practical Training for F-1 Students
University of Oklahoma International Student Services
640 Parrington Oval, Room #220
Norman, OK 73019

2. Important Terms
DSO: Designated School Official – OU International Student Advisor
USCIS: US Citizenship and Immigration Services
CPT: curricular practical training
OPT: optional practical training
EAD: employment authorization document (card)

3. Practical Training: Two Types
An F-1 student may wish to find an internship (CPT) or temporary employment (OPT) to gain practical experience in the field of study.

4. Type 1: Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Internship offered by sponsoring employers through agreements with the university that is required as an integral part of an established curriculum, or will count toward degree requirements. CPT is recommended by the academic advisor and authorized by the DSO.

5. Type 2: Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Temporary employment authorization granted by USCIS for practical training that is directly related to the student’s major area of study.
OPT can be taken during annual summer vacation, part-time during regular school session, after completion of course requirements or after completion of course of study.

6. Curricular Practical Training: What is it exactly?
An F-1 student may wish to find an internship to gain practical experience in the field of study. To obtain this type of employment authorization, the USCIS permits an F-1 student to seek authorization from the DSO for curricular practical training.

7. Curricular Practical Training
Preconditions
Lawfully enrolled as full-time student for one academic year (fall + spring semester).
Location
Employed only by specific internship employer, location, and for specific dates as approved by DSO.
Duration
Approval granted each semester. Must reapply prior to each semester if interning multiple semesters.
Hours/Week
CPT approved for part-time (20h or less per week) or full-time (20+ hours per week). Full-time CPT granted for summer semester only.
Field
Must be an integral part of curriculum and count toward degree requirements (required or recommended)..
Offer of Employment
Must obtain specific internship offer letter before applying for CPT.
Enrollment
Enroll in and complete at least 1 credit hour required for the internship. Minimum enrollment requirements apply in spring and fall semesters.
Approval
Receive work authorization from DSO on I-20 before internship begins.

8. CPT and other work authorization
Students who use 12 full months of full-time CPT become ineligible for OPT under US immigration law
Use of part-time CPT does not affect OPT
Consider applying for pre-completion OPT if your degree program is not eligible for CPT

9. Important!
An F-1 student pursuing recommended – not required - CPT cannot hold a concurrent, part-time, on-campus job during the fall and spring semesters. This includes GA appointments. Total number of hours worked per week cannot exceed twenty during the fall and spring semesters!
If this applies to you, please speak with an advisor before you apply for CPT.
This does not apply to Summer CPT.

10. IMPORTANT REGULATION!
CPT employment authorization is strictly regulated under US federal immigration law. Working at your internship before the CPT start date on your I-20 or continuing internship employment (paid or unpaid) after the CPT authorization end date on your I-20 IS A SERIOUS VISA VIOLATION AND CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF YOUR F-1 VISA STATUS.

11. Other considerations
The internship must be an integral part of an established curriculum. This means that the internship is:
required for all degree candidates, or
part of an internship course for academic credit towards the degree – support letter from academic advisor required, or
required to complete thesis/dissertation research; results will be included in thesis or dissertation - support letter from academic advisor required

12. CPT Application Process and Deadlines
Attend OU ISS CPT/OPT workshop
Meet with your academic advisor. Does your degree program require an internship of all students, or will it award internship credit toward your degree requirements? Obtain detailed internship offer letter (see template)
If your program does not require an internship, or will not award credit for an internship, plan ahead for pre-completion OPT in your field of study
Enroll in the internship course when your enrollment window opens, and before the add/drop period closes of the semester in which you wish to do CPT
Gather documents and submit CPT application packet to OU ISS – allow 5-10 business days for processing. Pick up CPT I-20 after you have been notified via by OU ISS
OU ISS WILL PROCESS NO CPT APPLICATIONS IN A CURRENT SEMESTER AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE ADD PERIOD FOR THE SEMESTER (the last day of the first week of the semester)

13. Deadlines to Submit CPT Applications
Applications due in ISS office by end of first week of class
Submit CPT packets to
OU ISS
640 Parrington Oval, #220
Norman, OK 73019
with questions