Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Internship/Practicum Opportunities DURING your Degree Program Revised 05/21/2010

CPT Workshop What is CPT? What is CPT? Eligibility for CPT Eligibility for CPT Rules for CPT Rules for CPT CPT No-Nos CPT No-Nos Applying for CPT Applying for CPT CPT Registration Requirements CPT Registration Requirements Questions Questions

What is CPT? Curricular practical training is an integral part of an F-1 student’s established curriculum which allows them to engage in experiential training in any type of required or optional internship or practicum experience. Curricular practical training is an integral part of an F-1 student’s established curriculum which allows them to engage in experiential training in any type of required or optional internship or practicum experience. CPT is done DURING your degree program (before you graduate) CPT is done DURING your degree program (before you graduate) You are still an F1 visa holder while on CPT You are still an F1 visa holder while on CPT CPT is…

Eligibility for CPT Been enrolled as a full time (12 credits undergrad, 9 credits grad) student for at least one full academic year of study (fall and spring semesters only*) Been enrolled as a full time (12 credits undergrad, 9 credits grad) student for at least one full academic year of study (fall and spring semesters only*) Maintained legal immigration student status Maintained legal immigration student status Be enrolled accordingly for CPT internship credits Be enrolled accordingly for CPT internship credits Been formally offered and accepted an internship Been formally offered and accepted an internship *summer semesters are considered vacation time for international students and do NOT count toward full academic year of study. To be eligible, you must have…

CPT Rules An “integral part of established curriculum” An “integral part of established curriculum” –Required of all students, or; –Optional for specific course or curriculum track An official internship or practicum experience – meaning your department must be willing to assign credits in order for your ISA to authorize the CPT An official internship or practicum experience – meaning your department must be willing to assign credits in order for your ISA to authorize the CPT DURING your degree program (BEFORE graduation; you cannot extend your academic stay for CPT, unless your department REQUIRES the CPT at the end of your coursework) DURING your degree program (BEFORE graduation; you cannot extend your academic stay for CPT, unless your department REQUIRES the CPT at the end of your coursework) Authorized for a specific employer, location and period approved in SEVIS Authorized for a specific employer, location and period approved in SEVIS CPT Must be…

Rules for CPT, cont. Can be approved for part-time (20 hours or less) or full-time (over 20 hours) Can be approved for part-time (20 hours or less) or full-time (over 20 hours) Is available *up to* 12 months (full-time) for each higher degree level earned. Is available *up to* 12 months (full-time) for each higher degree level earned. WILL cause you to LOSE your OPT if you exceed 12 months or more of full-time CPT WILL cause you to LOSE your OPT if you exceed 12 months or more of full-time CPT Part-time CPT, does not count toward 12- month CPT maximum Part-time CPT, does not count toward 12- month CPT maximum CPT …

CPT No-Nos… You are allowed to do CPT for *up to* one year, but You are allowed to do CPT for *up to* one year, but –It will only be authorized per semester –You MUST be registered accordingly before it can be authorized You cannot be enrolled full-time and be on full-time CPT You cannot be enrolled full-time and be on full-time CPT  This means that if you are on full-time CPT, you can only enroll in a maximum of :  UNDERGRADS  4 credits or less, including CPT credits [ 1 CPT (required), 3 Online/EDGE (optional)]  GRADS  6 credits or less, including CPT credits [3 CPT (required), 3 Online/EDGE (optional)]

CPT No-Nos… GRADUATE Students on Assist/Fellowships: GRADUATE Students on Assist/Fellowships:  You cannot be on an assistantship and have a FULL time CPT.  You can have a PART time CPT if and only if the hours on CPT and the hours of your assist/fellowship TOTAL 20 hours or less per week  For Example: –.50 FTE = 20 hours, therefore NO part time CPT allowed –.33 FTE = 13.2 hours, therefore additional 6.8 hours of CPT allowed –.25 FTE = 10 hours, therefore additional 10 hours of CPT allowed

So you have a job/internship offer! Do you need to contact your International Student Advisor BEFORE you can work? LocationSemester Work Hours Per Week* 20 Hours or Less Over 20 Hours ON Campus FallNOYES SpringNOYES SummerNO OFF Campus FallYES SpringYES SummerYES * Hours per Week ON Campus is Friday to Thursday * Hours per Week OFF Campus is usually Monday to Friday (check with employer)

Applying for CPT You can download the CPT application packet from the IPS website Call (209) to schedule an appointment to meet with your International Student Advisor Make an appointment!

Applying for CPT, cont. Fill in the CPT Application Form (in CPT packet) Fill in the CPT Application Form (in CPT packet) Have your advisor or department fill in the Departmental Recommendation Form (in CPT packet) Have your advisor or department fill in the Departmental Recommendation Form (in CPT packet) Bring formal offer letter from your internship on the employer's letterhead, stating the location of the internship, the length of internship including start date and description of duties. Bring formal offer letter from your internship on the employer's letterhead, stating the location of the internship, the length of internship including start date and description of duties. *Before* your appointment……

Be registered for appropriate CPT course credits Be registered for appropriate CPT course credits –Full-time CPT for GRADUATE students: 3 credits fall and spring, 2 credits summer –Full-time CPT for UNDERGRADUATE students: 1 credit each fall, spring, and summer semesters –Part-time CPT for GRADUATE students: 1 credit each fall, spring, 2 credits summer (included in the total full-time enrollment requirement) –Part-time CPT for UNDERGRADUATE students: 1 credit fall, spring, and summer semesters (included in the total full-time enrollment requirement) Applying for CPT, cont. CPT Registration Requirements

Full Time C P T Part Time C P T Undergraduate Student Fall Must register for at least 1 internship credit hour Must register for a full course load of which 1 credit must be CPT Spring Must register for at least 1 internship credit hour Must register for a full course load of which 1 credit must be CPT Summer Must register for at least 1 internship credit hour Graduate Student Fall Must register for 3 internship credit hours Must register for a full course load of which 1 credit must be CPT Spring Must register for 3 internship credit hours Must register for a full course load of which 1 credit must be CPT Summer Must register for 2 internship credit hours CPT Registration Requirements