Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an employment option available to F-1 students where practical training employment is considered to be an integral part of the curriculum or academic program. According to the immigration regulations, this employment may be an internship, cooperative education job, a practicum, or any other work experience that is either required for your degree (as defined in the course catalog) or for which academic credit is awarded.
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What conditions do I need to meet to be eligable for CPT?
- Legal F-1 visa status. The student must have been lawfully enrolled in an accredited school on a full-time basis for at least nine consecutive months.
- The proposed employment under CPT must be “an integral part of an established curriculum”. It must be related to the student's major field of study (as declared with the Registrar) and commensurate with the level of study .
- The student must provide a signed Faculty Recommendation for Authorization of Curricular Practical Training Form. A faculty member must certify that the proposed employment under CPT is related to the student's field of studies .
- The student may begin work under CPT only after he/she has obtained written permission from the Designated School Official. CPT authorization cannot be back-dated, and working prior to obtaining approval is a violation of status.
Who authorizes CPT?
Any McDaniel College international student who wishes to engage in employment under CPT must be authorized by a Designated School Official who will verify the student's F-1 status and all other preconditions that qualify him/her for CPT work.
What do I need to apply for CPT?
You will need the following:
- Make sure you have a written offer of employment , specifying the starting and ending dates, location, and the nature of employment.
- Meet with a relevant faculty member to discuss the proposed employment and to complete the Faculty Recommendation for Authorization of Curricular Practical Training Form that certifies the work is related to your major field of studies.
- Make an appointment with the International Programs Office.
- Bring with you the completed Faculty Recommendation form, together with your current SEVIS I-20 and your valid unexpired passport (including I-94) .
How long can I work under CPT?
- CPT is granted by the Designated School Official for a specific period of time . You may not begin before the start date or continue after the end date. Yu must apply for an extension early if you wish to continue beyond the end date of your current CPT.
- There is no upper limit on the amount of time available for CPT. However, please note that students who engage in a full 12 months or more of full-time CPT become ineligible for Optional Practical Training. Part-time CPT does not affect OPT in any way.
- CPT employment can only be approved before graduation.
- CPT employment can be approved for part-time (20 hours or less per week) or full-time (over 20 hours per week).
- CPT employment can be allowed during the school year ( only part-time) or during the summer (part-time or full-time).
- You may change the number of hours you work within the limits of part-time or full-time. For example, you may change from 10 hours per week to 15 hours per week without a new authorization. However, if you change from part-time to full-time (or vice versa), you must request a new authorization.
Additional Info
- Some employers are not familiar with CPT type of work permission – if employers ask for additional information proving that this is legal employment opportunity, the Office of International Students will provide such information.
- If your F-1 status is valid and the proposed employment qualifies for CPT, the DSO will authorize the CPT in the SEVIS system and will print out a new SEVIS I-20 that you can show to your employer as proof of authorization to work.
- Remember (and remind your employer) that you have to pay local, state, and federal taxes, but you are not expected to pay social security (FICA) and medicare taxes.
- Your employer might request that you fill in additional paperwork and/or you present additional documentation before you start working.
- Changing employers while on Curricular Practical Training requires submission of a new application to the Designated School Official before you begin working for the new employer.