1. Students can only be authorized for CPT during their degree program: F-1 students interested in working in the US after graduation may apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).

2. Exception to one academic year requirement: The one academic year waiting period can be waived for students enrolled in a graduate program that requires a practicum during their first year. Or, transfers that have completed one academic year in the same degree level.  Therefore, if you are an undergraduate who transferred after one year in undergraduate studies in the US, you are eligible for CPT.

3. Leave of Absences and Other SEVIS Terminations: Students who have re-entered the US using a new SEVIS record after a previous record was terminated/completed will need to complete one academic year of full-time study under their new SEVIS record before becoming eligible for CPT. This rule applies to a student who was given an authorized early withdrawal for a leave of absence (gap semester/year) and returned to the US with a new SEVIS record.

4. Unpaid Internships: Financial compensation is not the only indicator of employment in the US. We recommend that students obtain work authorization for any activities with non-Nichols organizations. In the case of unpaid internships, the student should also obtain written verification from the organization's Human Resources confirming the position does not violate any labor laws. 

5. Part-time or Full-time

• Part-time CPT is 20 hours a week or less

  • Students can participate in part-time CPT when school is in session. 

  • If the CPT will take place during your final semester, only part-time CPT is allowed. Please see "CPT in Final/Graduation Semester" section below for more details. 

• Full-time is 20+ hours a week

  • A student may participate in full-time CPT during the summer or breaks unless the student is in their first or last term.

  • **Any student who is authorized for one full year or more (365+ days) of full-time CPT loses eligibility for OPT at their degree level.**

6. Employment Dates: If the CPT eligibility is based on enrollment in a course (option #2), the CPT authorization must fall within the semester dates as listed on the College's Academic Calendar. 

• There are circumstances when employment dates can fall outside the academic calendar. These instances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

  • Students requesting an exception should be prepared to provide documentation that explains the reason the position must start before the "classes begin" date and/or after the "end of Term" date as listed on the calendar.

Documentation may include:

• • • • An offer letter, supplemental offer letter, email from the hiring manager proving the start/end date.

      • Official job posting that states the required start and end date for interns accepted into the program

      • Other documentation explaining the medical or other extenuating circumstance

  • CPT may not overlap semesters. 

  • Please contact your P/DSO to discuss your situation if you have questions.

7. Multiple CPT authorizations with the same employer: For CPTs that are not required by a degree program, students may not receive multiple CPT authorizations for the same experience.

• In rare cases, a student may be eligible for a second CPT authorization with the same employer, prvided that the experience is significantly different from the first CPT authorization. (ex. Student receives a CPT authorization for an internship in marketing with Company A, and then submits a CPT request for a second internship with Company A in the field of Accounting).

• A student may not receive a second CPT authorization to extend a practical training experinece. If a student wishes to gain additional practical training in the same position, the student would need to apply for pre-completion OPT.