Academic/Practical Training (CPT/OPT/AT)

Under current regulations, international students holding F-1 visas can be authorized for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) provided they meet eligibility and procedural requirements.  CPT is authorized employment pursuant to an internship elective that earns academic credit.

Eligibility Requirements:
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) can be authorized for the following students:

• Students who have completed at least two consecutive semesters of study in active F-1 status
• Students who have elected the Global Business Track

Employment Duration:

Minimum employment durations vary depending on the semester of authorization and application type, but in all cases, you must work at least ten (10) hours per week:

• For students who have completed at least two consecutive semesters of study in active F-1 status
  • Summer Semester: four (4) weeks minimum duration if offers are on a full-time basis; six (6) weeks minimum duration if offers are on a part-time basis
  • Fall/Spring Semester – six (6) weeks minimum duration; offers can only be on a part-time basis
• For students who have elected the Global Business Track
  • Summer Semester: six (6) weeks minimum duration; offers must be full-time
  • Fall/Spring Semester – six (6) weeks minimum duration; offers can only be on a part-time basis -- If Qualified

Under your F-1 visa, you cannot work more than 20 hours a week during an academic semester, so please plan accordingly. Only September-entering students with a complete summer break are eligible to work more than 20 hours a week, and during the summer semester only.

CPT Authorization Procedure:

• Submit the completed F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Request Form, along with a letter from your employer (confirming the exact start and end dates of the internship) by clicking here.
• We will review the offer for appropriateness and applicability to the degree program. If the experience is applicable, your application will be completed and signed.
• Signature is also confirmation of B8811/B8812/B8813 Cross-Cultural Seminar OR B8814 Global Business registration. Enrollment in this course is required in order for ISSO to authorize CPT. 
  • Students who have completed at least two consecutive semesters of study in active F-1 status will be enrolled in B8811/B8812/B8813 Cross-Cultural Seminar
  • Students who have elected the Global Business Track will be enrolled in:
    • B8814 Global Business (Summer Only)
    • B8811/B8813 Cross-Cultural Seminar (Fall or Spring) -- If Qualified
• Submit the required documents as instructed on this page via ISSO's online process. The required documents are listed below:
  • A copy of the CPT Employer Letter which must contain the following (ISSO has provided an example letter as a sample, but do not submit this):
    • be on official company letterhead
    • have a specific start date and a specific end date (the dates must fall within the current academic semester)
    • include the location where your work will be performed
    • include the number of hours per week you will work
    • include a description of your position duties
    • be signed and dated by your employer
  • The completed F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Request Form.
  • Your most recent I-94 arrival record. Click here to access your record.
• The above-listed documentation can be submitted to ISSO as early as 90 days but no less than 10 business days before you wish to begin employment.
• ISSO will update your SEVIS record for CPT authorization and issue a new I-20.  ISSO will email you when the new I-20 is ready to be picked up. The ISSO requires 10 business days for processing.

Students who have completed at least two consecutive semesters of study in active F-1 status may register for Cross-Cultural Seminar up to three (3) times.

Students who have elected the Global Business Track may register for Global Business one (1) time and, if qualified, Cross-Cultural Seminar up to two (2) times.

If you have any additional questions about CPT or other matters relating to your F-1 status, please refer to the ISSO website or contact the ISSO at [email protected].

Employment related to your field of study immediately after completion of your studies, authorized by USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) through the issuance of an EAD card (Employment Authorization Document). OPT is permitted for a period of up to a maximum of twelve months.

For more information about OPT, please refer to the ISSO website or contact the ISSO at [email protected].

Academic Training is a benefit of J-1 student status that allows you to work — either paid or unpaid — for the purpose of applying knowledge and skills learned during your program of study.

OARR can provide you with the academic training letter of recommendation that you will need to submit to ISSO. Everything else that you need for your application is listed on the ISSO Academic Training website.
 
In order to write your letter, OARR will need the following information:
 

• Company Name
• Start Date
• End Date
• Training in the Area of (ex. Marketing, financial planning, etc..)
• Company Address
• Program Contact name and phone number
• Number of hours worked per week
• Hourly/Weekly Salary
• Explanation of how the training is directly related to your field of study (ex. it will provide professional experience in business and security analysis, with an emphasis on identifying mispriced securities)

Once you have gathered all of the information above, please email OARR to request your academic training letter of recommendation.