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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

An internship, co-op, practicum, or professional experience occurring prior to degree completion that is directly related and integral to an F-1 student’s major program of study as indicated in on the Form I-20; CPT cannot be authorized for work in a minor or previous major.

Curricular Practical Training authorizations can be for full-time work (20+ hours) during official school breaks (e.g., Summer break and Winter break) and part-time work (20 hours or less) during the Fall or Spring semester if proper ESF approval is obtained. CPT is designed to provide work experience directly related and integral to a student’s degree. It is not intended for general, ongoing work authorization. Traditional volunteer work (e.g. at a soup-kitchen) does not require CPT. However any internship, even if it is unpaid, requires CPT authorization.

  • A student must be in valid F-1-status and have been a full-time student for at least one academic year (Fall and Spring semesters) before participating in CPT.
  • A student must have a written job offer on company letterhead before applying for CPT. The job offer must indicate the position, the exact dates of employment, the number of hours of work per week, and the company’s address.
  • A student must continue to maintain full-time student status for the duration of the CPT experience during the academic year.
  • A student must continue to make normal degree progress, as defined by their academic department and the The Graduate School, while participating in CPT. This may require course-work during the CPT period. Students should verify that participation in CPT will not interfere with their ability to take courses required for degree completion that may not be taught in subsequent semesters prior to the program end date indicated on their I-20. CPT should not delay degree completion beyond the program end date listed on the Form I-20.
  • Departmental approval is required for CPT. Individual departments may have their own academic requirements for, or limitations on, participation in CPT. Examples include a minimum GPA, a pre-requisite course and/or a number of credits taken in the department’s curriculum.

Since few academic programs at ESF require more than one or two semesters of work /service experience, most students will be eligible for only one or two semesters of CPT. CPT will not be authorized in situations where Optional Practical Training is more appropriate or for work to be done after the completion of your degree.

  • Part-Time: During the academic year (Fall and Spring semesters), students may primarily engage in part-time work (20 hours or less per week) with proper authorization.
  • Full-Time: During official school breaks (Summer and Winter break), students may primarily engage in full-time work (20+ hours per week) with proper authorization.

  • CPT is authorized by semester. Therefore, students must submit a new CPT request, including all necessary documents and proof of registration of at least 1 credit of professional/internship experience, for each semester, including summer session(s).
  • Participation in CPT may begin on or after the first day of the semester. CPT must end before the last day of classes for the current semester.
  • Students who utilize an aggregate 12 or more months of full-time CPT lose their eligibility to engage in Optional Practical Training (OPT) at the current degree level.

To request authorization for CPT, please take the following actions at least two weeks in advance of your requested CPT start date:

  1. Submit the following to the Graduate School (227 Bray Hall):
    • A CPT Recommendation Letter from your Major Professor/ Academic Advisor Supporting the Academic Value of the CPT Work Experience: The letter must be printed on department letterhead and include the following information related to your academic program and proposed CPT work experience: your full name; program of study; expected date of degree completion/graduation; title of your position with employer; employer’s name; employer’s exact street address (this should be the physical work location); exact beginning and ending dates of the work experience; number of hours per week you will be engaged in the work experience; and course number, number of credits to be received (minimum requirement is one credit), faculty member supervising aforementioned course, and semester you will register for the course (must be the same semester of CPT experience).
    • Enrollment Certification from the Registrar’s Office: Must indicate full-time enrollment for every semester you were in F-1 status; if it does not, seek guidance from the Graduate School.
  2. Upon submission, the Associate Provost will review your request; if it is approved, the Associate Provost will endorse the bottom of your Major Professor's CPT Recommendation Letter.
  3. Register for the course designated in the CPT Recommendation Letter. (e.g., EFB 898: Professional Experience)
  4. Schedule an appointment to submit the following documentation to the Office of International Education:
    • CPT Recommendation Letter
    • CPT Request Form
    • Enrollment Certification from the Registrar’s Office
    • Proof of registration in the CPT course for at least 1 credit
    • Job Offer Letter
    • Copies of: I-20, Visa, Passport, I-94, Health Insurance
  5. If all the submitted documentation is acceptable, a new I-20 authorizing CPT (on page 2) will be issued. You are not eligible to begin employment until you have received the new I-20 and it is at least the start date indicated on the document.
  6. If your CPT experience will require you to relocate, you must submit your new address to OIE@esf.edu with the following information: within 10 days in order to fulfill the US immigration maintenance of status reporting requirement

 

The Office of International Education reserves the right to a one-week time frame for reviewing and processing of any submitted requests. Students should anticipate OIE to take the full week and should expect to submit documents early in order to avoid potential complications. If a student requests the extension of an I-20, OPT, or other time-limited visa status, all application materials and required documentations must be submitted to the Office of International Education for review and approval no later than 30 days in advance of the SEVIS deadline for submission of the application materials.