1. CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING
University of South Carolina
International Student Services
Revised 04/2009

2. What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?
Curricular Practical Training is an authorization for off-campus employment allowing an F-1 student to participate in USC’s Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program, or a paid internship, practicum or research project in the field of study.

3. Who is Eligible?
Students enrolled in an internship or practicum course for academic credit
Students enrolled in thesis or dissertation credit hours who need to collect and generate data for their research
Students who are registered in the USC Cooperative Education Program

4. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Must have been enrolled full-time for one academic year and in F-1 status at time of application
Must continue to maintain F-1 student status while on CPT
Proposed employment must be an integral part of an established curriculum

5. Who Authorizes CPT?
International Student Services grants written authorization for either part-time or full-time employment in conjunction with your academic advisor.

6. CPT Application Checklist
For all applicants:
Recommendation form completed by instructor of the course
Employer letter on company letterhead that includes employer name, address, job duties, and beginning and ending dates of employment
*Graduate Students must also submit a program of study

7. CPT Application Checklist
Additional requirements for students collecting data:
a letter from thesis/dissertation director describing the research
Employer letter on company letterhead including authorization for using data

8. CPT Considerations
1) Never work off-campus without employment authorization
2) Employment authorization for CPT cannot delay expected completion of studies date

9. Additional CPT Considerations
You may engage in CPT only for the specific employment authorized
CPT may be granted in increments of no more than one year
Use of full-time CPT for one year or more eliminates eligibility for Optional Practical Training

10. What is the USC CO-OP Education Program?
A professional internship program offered through the Career Center
Involves two terms of employment
Enrollment is not expected
Shows up on your transcript

11. Co-op Required Documentation
For Undergraduate Students:
Offer letter from employer that commits to both semesters of employment
Academic advisor recommendation form
For Graduate Students:
Approval letter from the academic department chair
Approved program of study form

12. Additional Co-op Information
Graduate Co-op = full time employment
Undergraduate Co-op can be part-time
No enrollment required during the Co-op Program
Graduate assistantships are not allowed while on Co-op

13. Unauthorized Employment
Very serious violation of your F-1 Status
Obligation to report unauthorized employment to SEVIS
Not a “fixable” problem inside the United States

14. Meeting with Advisors
Appointments are available Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Please call International Student Services at to schedule an appointment.

15. Got an immigration question?
us at An international student advisor will respond.