 CPT is a type of employment authorization that allows qualified F-1 students to gain practical experience in their field of study while making progress towards the completion of their academic program

214.2(f)(10)(i) Curricular practical training An F-1 student may be authorized by the DSO to participate in a curricular practical training program that is an integral part of an established curriculum. Curricular practical training is defined to be alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. Students who have received one year or more of full time curricular practical training are ineligible for post- completion academic training. Exceptions to the one academic year requirement are provided for students enrolled in graduate studies that require immediate participation in curricular practical training. A request for authorization for curricular practical training must be made to the DSO. A student may begin curricular practical training only after receiving his or her Form I-20 with the DSO endorsement.

 INS Memo CO 214.2F-C, 5/4/92 reported in Interpreter Releases, Vol. 69, No. 6, p.587 › “When offered through course work, curricular training must be either for credit (in the case of an elective course) or required.”

 INS Memo CO C, 1/22/92 reported in Interpreter Releases, Vol. 69, No. 6, pp › “The training program must be listed in the school’s course catalog with the assigned number of credits and the name of the faculty member teaching the course clearly indicated.”

 Degree requirement CPT – graduation requirement for all students in the degree program (may not carry units)  Co-op CPT – pre-existing relationship between school & employer, credit not necessary, not required of all students  Course credit – a required or elective internship/practicum within a degree program

 An F-1 student with a job offer that is directly related to student’s field of study  F-1 student in status for at least 1 academic year, excluding those at language schools › From 214.2(f)(10)(i): “Exceptions to the one academic year requirement are provided for students enrolled in graduate studies that require immediate participation in curricular practical training.”

 CPT is not available once a student completes the degree  12 months of full time CPT will eliminate OPT at the same degree level  Student must obtain CPT authorization prior to start date

F-1 Regulations Academic Necessity Faculty Demands Documentation Professional Enrichment Campus policy on external employment Spirit of the law Institutional Structure

 The academic advisor can attest to: › Relevance of the work to the major and to the level › Number of credits awarded for work › Whether the internship will count towards a student’s degree program › Exceptions necessitated by academic requirements

 The academic advisor within a credit- granting unit evaluates the internship and determines whether it is “directly related to the student's major area of study”  International Student Adviser recommends CPT in SEVIS based on academic advisor’s recommendation.

 Students can be authorized for CPT › For a 2 nd degree at the same degree level › For a higher degree level › For a lower degree level  CPT can be authorized FT or PT according to the regs  Reminder: 12 months of FT CPT at any one degree level will eliminate OPT at the same level

 On Campus Employment › Incidental to status › 20 hours/week during semester › 214.2(f)(9)(i)  Limits on campus employment do not impact CPT hours/week › 20hrs on campus & 20hrs CPT = OK › 20hrs on campus & 40hrs CPT = OK

 To protect the student, he or she should get CPT if there will be any compensation in exchange for the work: › Pay › Food › Other perks