1. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Tutorial
International Student & Scholar Services
Center for International Studies

2. “is an integral part of an established curriculum”
Definition of CPT
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
“is an integral part of an established curriculum”
Federal regulations define it as "alternate work/study, internship, co-operative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school."

3. Types of CPT
International students can be authorized for two different types of CPT.
Full-time (21+ hours)
Student must be enrolled in a part-time course load.
CPT, on-campus employment and graduate assistantships hours per week combined can equal 40 hours.
Only 11 months and 29 days of full-time CPT are allowed if a student plans to apply for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training.
Part-time (20 hours or less)
Student must be enrolled in a full-time course load.
CPT, on-campus employment and graduate assistantships hours per week combined can equal no more than 20 hours.

4. Eligibility for CPT International students can engage in CPT if:
The student is currently in valid F-1 student status.
The student has been lawfully enrolled at a DHS-approved school on a full-time basis for one full academic year (exceptions provided for graduate students where CPT is required immediately).
The internship is an integral part of an established curriculum in the student’s program of study.
CPT is not authorized during the final semester of the student’s program of study unless it is a required component of the student’s program of study.
International students CANNOT apply for CPT if:
The student is in their final semester and has no remaining courses for their degree requirements.
The student will not receive academic credit during the published St. Cloud State University semester dates.

5. Who should apply for CPT:
Required: the academic program mandates practical work experience in the field of study in order to graduate. (The course students sign up for is a program requirement, not an elective.)
Non-Required: the practical work experience (internship) is for credit and directly related to your field of study. (Usually taken as an elective credit)
CPT may not be used for employment purposes. Student need to have an academic reason to apply for CPT.

6. Application Procedures
Curricular Practical Training application
Employment letter
The student requests a letter from the prospective employer on the company’s letterhead which must include the following details:
name, address, and contact information of employer/site supervisor,
description of work to be performed,
start and end dates of employment/appointment, and
number of hours to be worked per week.
Full-Time Equivalency Request
This form is required if the student is applying for full-time CPT OR
Reduced Course Load Request
This form is required if the CPT will occur during the student’s final semester
The student must register in their course/s for the semester.
The student should submit their application packet to the Center for International Studies for review.

13. Next Steps An advisor at the Center for International Studies will:
Review the requested forms
Request employment authorization in SEVIS and issue a new I-20 (if appropriate)
The Center for International Studies will then the student to notify them that their I-20 has been issued and that the student may pick-up their new I-20
The student must present their new I-20 to their employer as their proof of employment authorization
(The authorization is ONLY for the employer listed and ONLY for the date listed)
When the student completes the Form I-9 at their place of employment, they enter the following:
In Section 1, "An alien authorized to work", the student’s Admission # is their I-94 card number.
In Section 2, CPT falls under the category of "List A", document #4: Unexpired foreign passport, with Form I-94 indicating unexpired employment authorization. This section is to be completed by the employer, not the student.

14. Important Points to Remember
Students must allow 7 full business days after submission of a complete application for the Center for International Studies to process their request.
International students must be authorized by the Center for International Studies for CPT before beginning employment. Working off-campus without prior authorization is a violation of F-1 student status.
International students may engage in CPT only for the specified employer, location and amount of time approved in SEVIS by the Center for International Studies.
Although CPT regulations permit employment, its purpose is to attach practical experience to international student coursework. CPT should not be perceived simply as a form of work authorization.
CPT applications must be submitted to the Center for International Studies for authorization whether the position is paid or unpaid.
To be eligible for CPT during their final semester of study, international students may participate in full-time (more than 20 hours/week) CPT if the internship is a program requirement or part-time CPT (less than 20 hours/week) if they have remaining courses for their graduation requirements that will be taken concurrently during the semester.
If an international student is required to continue their internship beyond the end date of the published St. Cloud State University semester date, they must speak to the Center for International Studies.
The Center for International Studies can only authorize CPT for the current semester or upcoming semester if the international student is already enrolled in the course required for their CPT. 

15. Ending/Changing CPT Employment
If the student decides to end CPT employment authorization with the employer listed on their I-20 prior to the end date, the student must submit a letter from the employer stating the late date of employment to the Center for International Studies and their academic advisor.
If the student decides to begin CPT with a new employer, the student must re-apply for CPT with a new application submission to the Center for International Studies.

16. Tips for finding CPT Employers
Talk to your academic department
Meet with the Career Center to learn about opportunities, preparation, and resume help
Network with other students in the same field/major
Attend professional conferences

17. QUESTIONS?