F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
What is CPT?
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary authorization for practical training directly related to your major field of study. Your major field of study is listed on your I-20.
"Practical training" can include employment, internship experience (paid or unpaid), cooperative (co-op) education experience, practicum participation, etc. CPT is authorized by Dr. Petoskey in the Study Abroad office in accordance with the F-1 regulations. You can apply for CPT during the regular academic year (you must remain registered full-time) and during your annual summer break.
CPT may be part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week). If you accumulate 12 months of full-time CPT authorization, you lose your eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT), another type of employment authorization for F-1 students. Part-time CPT and fewer than 12 months of full-time CPT authorization does not affect your OPT eligibility.
Eligibility
You may be eligible for CPT if you:
- Are currently in valid F-1 status.
- Have been enrolled at a college or university in the U.S. on a full-time basis for at least one full academic year.
("One academic year" at ECSU is defined as two full-time semesters per academic calendar, including final exams week. An exception to the academic year rule is provided for graduate students whose programs require immediate participation in CPT. The program requirement must be for all students in the program and should be listed on the program's website in the curriculum description.)
- Are in a major (Premajor students, who are not yet admitted into a major, are not eligible for CPT. CPT cannot be authorized based on a minor or certificate program).
- Will earn your degree from ECSU (visiting exchange students are not eligible for CPT).
Credit Requirement
You may request authorization for CPT to participate in training that is integral to your established curriculum. Training may be required or optional for your degree. Required training must be clearly identified and described in the course catalog or similar publication.
If the training is not required by your major degree program, the Study Abroad office requires you to receive academic credit from an internship, cooperative education program, practicum, or similar course through your academic department. Your academic department might not require you to earn credit for an optional training/work experience, but the Study Abroad office requires academic credit be earned in order to authorize CPT. The credit must be earned in the same term for which CPT is authorized, though exceptions may be granted for students pursuing CPT during their vacation term. You must earn at least one CPT-related credit for each term of authorization granted. Graduate students may not use thesis or dissertation credit to fulfill the credit requirement.
CPT Application Procedures
Option A: Paper Application
The Study Abroad office highly recommends that you discuss your plans with Dr. Petoskey prior to applying for CPT. Once the form is completed it can be handed in to Dr. Petoskey in the Study Abroad office. For more information please confirm with the CPT checklist.