Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Through Curricular Practical Training (CPT), an F-1 student may participate in an alternate work/study, internship or cooperative education program as part of their curriculum.

CPT is defined to include any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. {8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)}

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for CPT, you must:

  • 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 in good academic status (Cumulative GPA above 2.0)
  • You must be making normal progress toward degree completion
  • Internship/practicum is an integral part of your degree requirement (fulfilling major requirements or
    major electives.)

Important notes:

  • If you change employers, or change from part-time to full-time employment or vice versa, you need to re-apply for CPT permission.
  • Beginning to work before CPT is authorized, or continuing to work after the authorization expires, constitutes a violation of F-1 status.

Application Checklist

In order for the International Program Center to authorize CPT, you must submit all documents to the IPC:

  1. Complete the BSU CPT Application form.
    • To be completed by the student and their advisor/department chair.
  2. Register for the internship/practicum course (print out of your course schedule)
  3. Job offer letter from your employer.
    • The letter must be on the employer’s letterhead (including name and address) and include the following:
      1. Your job title
      2. Briefly describe the work you will do
      3. A start date and end date of your employment
      4. The number of hours per week you will work

 

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Any F-1 student who undertakes 12 months of full-time CPT (that is, 21 or more hours per week) is ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) following completion of studies. Part-time CPT (20 hours or fewer per week) is not counted against OPT.

 

Reduced Course Load

Students undertaking part-time CPT are required to be enrolled full time or to have a current “Reduced Course load Form” on file.