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International Education

Expanding Your Knowledge

Curricular practical training (CPT) is permission to accept employment in your academic field that is an integral part of an established curriculum. CPT is also defined as an alternative work-study program, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the university.

You qualify for CPT as long as it is an integral part of an established curriculum. CPT can be either part-time employment (20 hours or fewer per week) while school is in session (spring and fall), or full-time employment (more than 20 hours per week) while school is not in session (winter or summer breaks).

Eligibility

Here are the requirements:

  • You must hold F-1 nonimmigrant status.
  • You must have been a full-time student in the United States for one academic year (i.e., two semesters), or you must be a graduate student who is required to begin practical training immediately.
  • You must currently be enrolled full-time in a degree program and be maintaining legal status.

Procedure

Follow these steps:

  1. Register for a full course load (12 credits for undergraduate students and 9 credits for graduate students.)
  2. Download the CPT Procedure Form [PDF]
  3. Obtain a job-offer letter from your prospective employer that states the required information that can be found on the CPT Procedure Form
  4. Visit pfw.edu/internships and complete Application for Credit and ask Employer to complete Hiring Agreement.
  5. Complete Section 1, save as PDF, and email CPT application (the form in step 2) to Career Development Center, [email protected].
    1. The Career Center will forward this form and other information to your academic department for section 3 in the form.
  6. Before working, you must obtain a new I-20 from the Office of International Education that show the CPT work authorization on page 2 of the I-20.  OIE will email you when to pick up the I-20. 

Our authorization will indicate the following:

  • Whether the CPT is full-time or part-time
  • The name of the employer
  • The dates for the period of CPT
  • What CPT course you will be registered for (CPT course must be registered for in the same semester you are doing off-campus experience).

Important Tips

Keep this information in mind:

  • Make sure that you know if the position is full-time or part-time and whether that will change during the time of your employment; if it does change, you will need to reapply for CPT approval from International Education.
  • Make sure that you obtain authorization from an international-student advisor to engage in CPT each time you change employers and each time you extend the dates of your employment.
  • You must receive authorization before beginning a new job or working longer at the same job.
  • Make sure that you know how long your CPT will last.
  • If you use 365 days or more of full-time CPT, you will be ineligible for Optional Practical Training; you can use an unlimited amount of part-time CPT.
  • Show your SEVIS I-20 with the CPT authorization to your employer as proof that you have permission to work in the United States.
  • Do not begin working until you have authorization from the Office of International Education.

For more information, contact International Education at 260-481-6034 or [email protected].