Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
U.S. Code of Federal Regulations - Title 8 CFR 214.2 (f)
Title 8 CFR 214.2 (f) defines Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to be alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.
A request for authorization for curricular practical training must be made to the schools Designated School Official. A student may begin curricular practical training only after receiving his or her Form I-20 with the DSO endorsement.
CPT is designed to provide a student in F-1 status with the ability to participate in internship employment as either a required part of their degree program or as an integral (not required but beneficial) part of their program. Please see required versus integral below.
A Designated School Official (DSO) such as the advisors in the International Student Services office must review the objective of the internship (required vs integral) to determine if it meets with the Federal regulations for the F-1 visa category before the student participates in an internship.
Required vs. Integral Authorization
CPT may be authorized for an internship that is either a required or integral part of an academic program:
- A required internship must be completed by all students in a degree program and is listed on the program of study.
- An integral internship is not specifically required by the degree program, but may be highly encouraged or necessary to learn specific skills or gather research for thesis, dissertation, or a final project.