Curricular Practical Training (CPT) During Degree Program
CPT
United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) defines Curricular Practical Training as employment that is an “integral part” of a student’s course of study.
This work authorization is granted by a DSO (Designated School Official) for an F-1
student to complete an internship that is an academic component of the student’s degree
program.
F-1 students must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for two required
semesters (fall and spring)before becoming eligible for CPT. Students must be in F-1 status and have not yet
completed the academicrequirements for their degreeprogram.
CPT should not be used to facilitate off-campus employment as its sole purpose; it
must be an academic component of the degree program. Very few degree programs at OSU
require an internship in order to complete the degree program. Some will award degree
credit for an internship, but you must receive required internship credit toward your degree to be eligible for CPT. Departments without required internships can award credit
for internships toward the degree program as long as the credit awarded toward the
internship doesn't cause the student to exceed the minimum credits required to earn
the degree. Graduate Students must include the internship course to their plan of
study. Some graduate students may qualify for CPT if the internship is required for
their research and the data gathered in the internship will be included in their published
thesis or dissertation.
The CPT enrollment must be an academic component of the degree program in one of these ways:
The internship is a required part of the degree program.
The internship is not a required part of the degree program, but academic credit will be given for the internship,
and the credit will count toward minimum degree requirements so that student will not exceed number of hours required to complete degree.
The internship is required to complete thesis or dissertation research.
Students in full-time CPT must maintain and complete minimum enrollment requirements.
US immigration law does not permit a student to complete less than a full course load
during a required semester (fall and spring) due to full-time CPT.