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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Students talking to each other

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of employment authorization for international students pursuing degrees in curricular programs. CPT allows students to engage in off campus academic training, such as internships or co-op programs, that is integral to academic programs.

CPT Eligibility

The CPT offer letter must be dated at least one month before your intended employment start date. This allows sufficient time for the DSO to review and approve your CPT authorization. It also gives you enough time to schedule an appointment with the Social Security Administration to obtain your Social Security card before you begin working.

For Students

We recommend students to inform your prospective employer whether you already possess a Social Security card or if you will need to apply for one.

Students may schedule an appointment with the Social Security Administration as soon as they are offered employment/internship. In many cases, the appointment can be scheduled even before the CPT offer letter is issued, which helps avoid delays once CPT authorization is approved.

For Supervisor/Employer

If the student does not have a Social Security card, you are required to provide a job offer letter with a physical signature for Social Security Administration purposes. In this case, the student must either pick up the original offer letter from you in person, or you and the student must coordinate an arrangement for the letter to be mailed to the student.

To be eligible for CPT, students must meet the following criteria:

*No EAD card is issued for CPT. Once a student is approved for CPT, they will receive a new
SEVIS I-20 showing the CPT authorization on page 2.

CPT Regulations or Work Authorization Guidelines

  • Part-time CPT students may work up to 20 hours per week during regular semesters
  • Full-time CPT students may work full-time during official school breaks or when the academic program requires it
  • All CPT employment must end before the program end date listed on the student’s I-20
  • Students who accumulate 12 or more months of full-time CPT will become ineligible for
    post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) at the same degree level
  • CPT is authorized for an employer-specific and date-specific, and any change in
    employer or request to extend the dates requires submitting a new CPT offer
    letter from the employer and complete the CPT application

* An exception is made for graduate students if their program requires earlier training.

How To Apply

Start CPT Application

After Receiving Authorization

CPT Processing typically takes 5–10 business days. Once the CPT application is approved, the ISO will issue a new I-20 with the CPT authorization, which you must have before starting work.