1. Curricular Practical Training
UCI International Center

2. What is CPT?
CPT is an integral part of the established curriculum for a program of study. It is off-campus employment that allows F-1 students to participate in fieldwork or internship related to their major or academic program.

3. CPT Requirements Types of CPT Degree Requirement Course Credit.
Degree Requirement
A degree program that requires completion of an internship or work experience to complete degree requirements. This requirement must be in the UCI catalog as a degree requirement. (i.e. all students in the program must complete an internship to obtain the degree)
Course Credit
A course that requires completion of an internship or work experience in order to complete course requirements.

4. CPT Eligibility
Enrollment in three consecutive quarters before CPT can be approved
Job offer in your field of study
Normal degree progress
Enrollment in UCI class that requires the internship experience.

5. How to Get Started
Speak with your academic department to see what courses would allow you to participate in CPT.
Visit our website to learn more about the CPT process and what is required for the application.
Learn what dates you can work while on CPT-these dates should align with the quarter start and end dates and can be within these dates, but not outside of them.

6. Where to Get Correct Dates for CPT
Where to Get the Correct Dates for CPT:
Start date of CPT will be when instruction begins
End date of CPT will be the date the quarter ends.
For current and future CPT dates, visit the UCI Registrar’s Calendar:
(except MBA students)
MBA Summer Session: your academic advisor as dates are different than the general academic calendar.
Fall 2017
Winter 2018
Spring 2018
Quarter Begins
Sep 25
Jan 3
Mar 28
Instruction Begins
Sep 22
Jan 8
Apr 2
Instruction Ends
Dec 8
Mar 16
Jun 8
Quarter Ends
Dec 15
Mar 23
Jun 15

7. Application Timeline 2-3 Months Before Your Anticipated CPT Start Date
(highly recommended to start early)
Discuss with your academic advisor if CPT is for you
Find an employer/company where you can do this curricular work

8. 1-2 Months Before Your CPT Start Date (can be earlier)
Application Timeline
1-2 Months Before Your CPT Start Date (can be earlier)
Enroll in required course. Your academic department will provide you with the course details and unit requirements
The IC is unable to tell you which class you need to take for CPT.
Gather required documents for the CPT application
Complete the CPT Application

9. Application Deadlines
Quarter/Session You Must Be Enrolled In
Deadline to Submit CPT Application to International Center (to start by the first day of the quarter):
CPT Must Begin On/Or After:
CPT Must End By:
Fall 2017
9/14/2017
9/25/2017
12/15/2017
Winter 2018
12/14/2017
1/3/2018
3/23/2018
Spring 2018
03/16/2018
03/28/2018
06/15/2018
Summer Session I
06/12/2018
06/25/2018
08/01/2018
Summer Session 10-Week
08/31/2018
Summer Session I & II (recommended for 12-week internships)
09/14/2018
Summer Session II
07/19/2018
08/06/2018
09/12/2018

10. Allowable Work Hours
Part-time (20 hours or less per week) CPT is required during the academic year (fall, winter, spring quarter)
If will have multiple jobs during the academic quarter/year, all employment hours must be 20 hours or less.
Full-Time CPT (up to 40 hours per week) is permitted only during break periods.
If you participate in a total of 12 months of full-time CPT during your academic program, you will not be eligible for OPT. Please note that part-time CPT does not count towards your 12 months of full-time CPT.

11. Completing the CPT Application
Fill out the CPT Application
Section two MUST be signed by your academic department or advisor
Obtain proof of enrollment in the CPT course for the quarter you plan to work
This can be a screenshot of your studylist
Obtain a job offer letter from your employer.
You may need to request a separate letter with specific CPT details as listed on the next slide

12. The Job Offer Letter Details
Letter must include:
Company’s Letterhead
Addressed to you (the student)
Job Title
Job Description
Address of Employment
Specify if work is Part-time/Full-time
Specify the Start and End Date of Employment
Employer’s Signature
Double check that all these items are list on your offer letter. Your application will not be accepted if any of these items are missing from the letter.

13. A Note About the Offer Letter
If your CPT is going to last more than one quarter, your offer letter must list the exact dates of your employment.
Your will need to submit a new CPT application for each quarter of your internship.
If your CPT is going to last more than 1 quarter, the letter must state the proposed dates. Make several copies. Your internship application will be done on a quarterly basis. For instance, you will need one application for a fall CPT and a separate application for a winter CPT.

14. Submitting the CPT Application
After gathering the required materials go to the CPT Application
Login with your UCI net ID
You will be taken the screen seen to the left. Click on CPT Info Form and proceed to fill out the required fields
Note: You cannot proceed until this form is filled out
Click on this button to begin

15. Submitting the CPT Application
4. Upload your CPT Application by clicking ‘Choose File.’ Chose your selected file then click ‘Upload’ to complete
Once a file is uploaded the status will change from ‘Assigned’ to ‘Uploaded’
5. Follow the same steps for uploading your course enrollment and the job offer letter
6. Once the CPT Info form is filled out and the three documents are uploaded you may now click on the ‘Submit CPT Application’ button.
7. You will receive a confirmation upon the submission of your application. Please keep this for your records.

16. After Submitting the CPT Application
Your application will be reviewed by an International Center (IC) Advisor and will take seven business days to process
If your application has no errors and is complete it will be processed; however if we are missing information an IC advisor will contact you by or phone
You will be instructed to re-upload or edit your application. Once you have done so the seven business day processing time will begin

17. Picking up Your I-20
If your CPT application is processed BEFORE the seventh business day you will be ed. If not, pick up your I-20 on the designated seventh business day
On the second page of your I-20 you will see CPT work authorization

18. CPT as a Transfer Student
Transfer Students from Another U.S. School
If you have attended school in the U.S. and want to participate in CPT during your first year, an appointment is required with the International Center.
Transfer students who did OPT prior to transferring are not eligible for CPT during their first quarter.
A review of your previous degree information, transcripts, etc. may be necessary.

19. CPT During Summer Session
Summer Enrollment is a requirement for participation in CPT
If you are dropped from your classes, your CPT application may be canceled by the International Center for not complying with F-1 immigration regulation requirements.
Changes in Employment
If the dates of your CPT employment change, or you have a change of employers during Summer Session(s), please notify an advisor at the International Center so we can update your SEVIS record as soon as possible.

20. Thank You
This is the end of this online tutorial. The International Center looks forward to seeing you. Thank you and good luck.