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International Students > Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Information
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Information 
Requirements of Employment
In order to qualify for CPT, the employment must comply with at least ONE of the
following conditions:
- It must fulfill an optional or required internship in the academic program OR
- It must fulfill the requirement for a regular course or independent study in the academic program OR
- If working on a thesis or final project, the work must contribute "materially and substantially" to the final paper or project.
Some examples of acceptable CPT employment include:
- A summer internship at an investment bank through the Business School course X540 for graduates or W499 for undergraduates;
- Work with a software company with the intent of using the results to complete a project
- Research at a petro-chemical company with the intent of using the collected data as a base for a project/thesis
Apply for CPT
- Meet with your academic advisor, and explain that in order to be authorized to work off campus, international students must be registered for a course which is connected to the work. The advisor should guide the student in finding a suitable internship and in choosing a course which would qualify for CPT.
- Once offered a job, get written confirmation from the prospective employer.
- Request a letter from your academic advisor which MUST include all of the following:
- The course number of the internship or class connected with the work
- Information on how the work will contribute to or fulfill the requirements of a course. It is not enough for the work to simply relate to the course.
- A description of the employment offered including beginning and ending dates, the location of the job (city and state) and the number of hours per week or work.
- Submit the I-20, passport, job letter and advisor letter to your foreign student advisor at least one week prior to starting work for review and processing.
- Complete form I-538, Section A.
Authorization for CPT is noted directly on the I-20 form, and takes approximately one week to process.
PLEASE NOTE: F-1 students can use an unlimited amount of part-time CPT and still get 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) following completion of studies. However, if a student uses more than 12 months of full-time (over 20 hours/week) CPT, the student will no longer be eligible for OPT.
SOCIAL SECURITY: Social Security (FICA) should not be withheld from the wages of an F-1 student on CPT if the student is classified as a non-resident for tax purposes. Earnings are, howvere, still subject to federal, state, and local taxes.
