How to get Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an F-1 benefit that allows eligible students with proper authorization from International Student Services (ISS) to participate in employment or internship opportunities that are directly related and integral to the major field of study listed on their I-20.

CPT is meant to enhance a student’s academic program by giving them practical work experience in their field of study. It is not intended for regular, ongoing employment. Since CPT requires defined academic objectives agreed upon by the student and their department/course instructor prior to the start of the internship or employment, it is approved on a semester-by-semester basis. 

To be eligible for CPT, the student must:

• Be in valid F-1 status.

• Be in good standing with the university.

• Have an employment/internship offer in a position directly related to their major (not minor).

• Have completed two consecutive long semesters as a full-time student before the requested employment start date.

  • Students approved for a change of status via application to USCIS within the United States can count semesters spent studying full-time before the change of status approval towards the two-semester requirement.

  • Students who transferred their SEVIS record to St. Edward's can count semesters spent studying full-time before the transfer towards the two-semester requirement.

To be eligible for CPT, the employment / internship must:

• Be directly related to the major field of study listed on the student’s I-20.

• Be an integral part of the student’s academic program. This means the employment must meet one  of the requirements below:

  • Course offered by the academic department. Generally, acceptable courses may contain words such as the following in the course title: internship, practicum, independent study. Ask your success coach for additional guidance. 

  • CPAM courses offered by Career and Professional Development (CAPD). The student is responsible for registering for and completing the course, and the success coach must confirm that they approve of the student taking this course for CPT purposes.        

  • Enroll in the internship course for the semester that you are planning to do the internship in. For example, if you are planning to take an internship course in the summer, then enroll in an internship course for the summer.                                                                                                                    

Internships can be off- or on-campus, but CPT is not valid outside the United States.

The purpose of CPT is to provide practical training directly related to a student’s academic program within the context of the U.S. education system. Therefore, CPT authorization is only required when the training is inside the United States. For example, a summer internship in a student’s home country does not need CPT authorization if the student is outside of the U.S.. The employer must have a physical office or location in the U.S. for the CPT employment.

Internships can be paid or unpaid.

Even if the internship is unpaid, ISS strongly recommends obtaining CPT authorization before beginning the internship. This is because even unpaid internships may meet the definition of “employment.” Engaging in such an internship without CPT would be considered unauthorized employment, which is a violation of status that could lead to the termination of the student’s SEVIS record and/or the denial of future U.S. visas or immigration benefits.

Here are a few factors that could classify an internship as “employment,” even if it is unpaid:

• The position is normally paid, but an exception is being made for the F-1 student to do it without pay.

• There is any form of compensation (not limited to wages).

• The internship provider is benefiting from the student’s labor.

Discussing Your Immigration Status with Employers

This one-page guide helps international students confidently discuss their visa status during job applications and interviews. It provides simple, accurate language to explain F-1 and J-1 work authorization options (such as CPT), addresses common employer concerns, and offers tips on how to respond to questions about sponsorship and work eligibility. Whether you're completing an application or preparing for an interview, this guide empowers you to communicate your status clearly and professionally. 

CPT is authorized on a semester-by-semester basis.

CPT authorization follows the dates of the official SEU academic calendar. Internships spanning two semesters will require two separate CPT authorizations (one for each semester). In other words, you are required to repeat the application process for each semester. 

Be mindful of CPT I-20 start and end dates.

Students are only authorized to begin working on the start date listed on their CPT I-20 and must stop working by the end date specified. Engaging in employment outside these dates violates F-1 visa regulations and can jeopardize their immigration status. CPT employment dates must be within the dates of the semester you are enrolled in your internship course, meaning you cannot begin working before your course starts, and you cannot work beyond the end date of that semester. Also, please note that training for an internship is still considered employment, therefore if your internship employer requires you to begin training before beginning work, you will need to use your first date of training as your requested CPT start date. 

Part-Time vs. Full-Time CPT

• Fall Semester

  • Employment is limited to part-time (20 hours per week or less)

• Spring Semester

  • Employment is limited to part-time (20 hours per week or less)

• Summer Semester

  • Full-time (20 hours or more per week) employment is allowed

***If you are engaged in on-campus employment and CPT employment during Fall/Spring, you cannot exceed 20 hours per week with both positions. For example, you may work 10 hours on-campus and 10 hours during your internship.

1. Talk to your success coach to register for an internship course (Must be directly related to your major and be a course for credit.)

2. Work with Career and Professional Development or your internship instructor to secure an internship and get instructor approval

3. Complete the CPT Authorization Request form on myHilltop, which will automatically send requests for approval to your course instructor and the academic dean

4. Once the course instructor and the academic dean approve the request, ISS will issue a new I-20 via email showing internship authorization

5. Take the I-20 to the Social Security Office to apply for a Social Security Number, if needed (Read How to Apply for a Social Security Card, if needed)

6. Begin your internship