Curricular Practical Training is academic training (practicum or internship) related to your field of study at Maryville College.  

You must enroll in a credit-bearing internship or practicum 

You may use your CPT internship/job as your Significant Practical Experience (SPE). 

The training may be: 

• Paid or unpaid 

• Part-time (under 20 hours/week) while enrolled in courses (fall/spring)

• Or Full-time* (over 20 hours/week) during the Summer term  

• Must be an integral part of an established curriculum, a requirement of the program and for course credit 

• Directly related to your MAJOR field of study 

Important Notes: 

1.  Full-time CPT for 12 months or more will cause student to lose opportunity for OPT

2. Semester-long internships: You may only complete a part time internship, and must be simultaneously enrolled in classes full-time and be physically present on campus in order to maintain lawful F-1 status during fall and spring terms  This means that CPT is restricted to locations within driving distance of the MC campus because USCIS requires physical presence at MC during the fall and spring semesters.  

• You must be an F-l student who is seeking a degree at Maryville College 

• You must have been enrolled full time in the US for at least one year and be in good academic standing 

• You must have approval of your major advisor to complete a credit-bearing internship.  The internship may or may not be approved to be your Significant Practical Experience (SPE). 

• The position must be commensurate with your education level. 

• You will continue to be enrolled for a full course of study during the CPT 

STEP I: Make an appointment in person or over email to talk to an International Student Advisor in the Center for Global Engagement regarding your desire to complete Curricular Practical Training.  

• During this meeting we will go over the necessary steps and requirements for CPT.  

• We will check in to see if you want to use an internship to complete your Significant Practical Experience degree requirement.

STEP II: Search for a practicum or internship related to your field of study.  You should solicit help from the Career Center, your advisor and other faculty in your division.

STEP III: Submit the following documents to the Center for Global Engagement 

• Complete CPT Request Form (CPT Request)

• Job offer letter indicating job title, supervisor name & contact, dates of employment, number of hours, and location of employment.

• Approval Letter from your Major Advisor (see sample CPT Advisor Letter)

• Copy of MC transcript (Self-service copy of unofficial transcript)

• Proof of enrollment in practicum or internship course from 0-15 credits (Self-Service copy of unofficial transcript)

• Photocopy of I-20 (pages 1 & 3) (both old and new) 

• Photocopy of passport pages (picture and information pages, visa page; clear, clean, legible copies) 

STEP IV:  Meet with the International Student Advisor/Designated School Official (DSO) to:

• DSO will authorize CPT in SEVIS. The approval is specific to a specific position, employer & location.  

• DSO will print a new I-20 with CPT approval on page 3.  This document acts as proof of Employment Authorization for student and employer.  You may not work without a new I-20.

• Talk with the CGE if you need to apply for a Social Security Number.

The packet for CPT materials can be found here.

• Sample Offer Letter

• Sample Advisor Letter

• CPT Request Form

• Application Procedure Handout

Email kirsten.sheppard@maryvillecollege.edu   if you are interested in enrolling in CPT.