Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is defined as employment which is an integral part of an established curriculum, including: “alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.” Source: [8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)]. CPT is available only prior to the completion of your degree program and you must have a job offer at the time of application. CPT employment may not delay completion of the academic program.
CPT allows an F-1 student, to accept paid, off-campus employment that is an integral part (is a requirement in order for you to graduate from the program) of the curriculum of your degree program. CPT is divided into two categories:
- Internship: the employment is a mandatory part of a course that you are taking for degree credit. The course may be a major elective and is a required course in order for you to graduate.
- Practicum: this is a non-credit employment or fieldwork experience that your department requires of all degree candidates in your program.
CPT is available only if one of these categories is included in the curriculum of your degree program. Because every program has different academic requirements, not every student at MSUM will be able to take advantage of CPT.
CPT Eligibility Criteria
In order to qualify for CPT, you must meet the following criteria. If the internship is for more than one semester, you must complete this process every time every semester.
- You must have been a full time student for at least one academic year, and you must be in valid F-1 status now. You may engage in CPT before the end of one full academic year only if you are registered student in a graduate program that requires all enrolled students to obtain work experience in the first academic year.
- You must be making normal progress toward degree completion.
- You must be in good academic status (Cumulative GPA above 2.0).
- Internship/practicum is an integral part of your degree requirement.
- Must have an internship/practicum official job letter (company letterhead) with #hours, dates and title.
Please note: International students on F-1 status are only authorized to stay in the U.S. to complete the number of credit hours required by their degree program. International students cannot carry credit hours beyond the number required for their program, as published in the MSU Moorhead catalog.
F-1 Student Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Curricular Practical Training?
Curricular Practical Training is work authorization for employment that is either required by your curriculum, required for a credit-bearing course, or required for your degree. The advisors at the ISS authorize it. - What are the eligibility criteria for Curricular Practical Training?
In addition to getting credit in a course for the work, you have to have been enrolled in your program for a full academic year, and have maintained valid immigration status before you can apply for CPT. Graduate students whose degree curriculum requires immediate participation in an off campus work experience may be able to work before the academic year is completed IF this requirement is CLEARLY stated in the published program description. - Do I have to be registered while on Curricular Practical Training?
Yes you will have to be registered for the internship/practicum credits while on CPT. When school is in session, your CPT will only allow a maximum of 20 hours of employment (part-time CPT) during summer or institutional vacation times you have the option to apply for a fulltime CPT. Please note: if you exceed 11 months of fulltime CPT, you will lose your OPT option. - Does Curricular Practical Training impact on the amount of allowed Optional Practical Training?
If a student qualifies for Curricular Practical Training, s/he may use up to eleven months of full-time Curricular Practical Training without it affecting Optional Practical Training. However, if a student uses a total of 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training, it cancels out all Optional Practical Training time. Part-time CPT does not count towards this limit. - What is considered part-time training?
Employment for 20 hours or less per week while you are enrolled for classes is considered part-time curricular practical training. The employment authorization written on the back on your I-20 copy will specify permission to engage in part-time training and you must limit your work to no more than 20 hours per week. You must be enrolled as a full-time student in order to maintain lawful F-1 status. - What is considered full-time training?
Employment for more than 20 hours per week is considered full-time curricular practical training, regardless of whether you are enrolled full-time or part-time for classes. The employment authorization on your I-20 copy will specify permission to participate in full-time training. However, if you participate in eleven months or more of curricular practical training you will not be eligible for post-completion practical training. - What proof of employment authorization can I give my employer?
Your I-20 form authorized for curricular practical training is the document which indicated employment authorization. You should bring your I-20 form, passport and I-94 card to your employer. These documents will allow your employer to complete the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9. All employers are required to complete an I-9 form for every employee. - How many times can I participate in Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?
It depends on your program how many internship credits count toward your degree. However, you can participate in at most 4 semesters of Curricular Practical Training (CPT) during the same level of education. Additionally, if you exceed 12 months of full-time CPT, you will become ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Part-time CPT does not impact OPT eligibility.
CPT Application Process
If you meet the above eligibility criteria, you will need to make an appointment with International Student Services to obtain authorization on the second page of your I-20. The CPT process does not need to be sent to USCIS or need money to process the application. You will need to bring the following documentation before your appointment with International Student Services:
- Current I-20
- Completed Curricular Practical Training Form
- Your department/academic advisor must complete the above Curricular Practical Training Form
- Unofficial transcript showing proof of enrollment in internship/ Practicum credits
- Offer of employment letter from the company/institution where you will work, including the name of the company, location (city/state), brief description, dates of employment and number of hours per week
Please note: Students must remember to LIMIT working full-time under CPT for less than 12 months. If you EXCEED 12 months full time you will lose your OPT privileges.