F-1 Curricular Practical Training
What is CPT?
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is authorized off-campus employment which is integral to your major and the experience must be part of your curriculum. CPT is a type of internship or off-campus employment permission for F-1 international students who are currently pursuing a program of study in the U.S. It allows students to gain experience in their field of study and is directly connected to the program’s curriculum. CPT is only available prior to the completion of your degree program. You must have a job offer at the time of your CPT application. CPT employment may not delay completion of your academic program.
You cannot begin work until you have receive your new I-20 with authorized work dates.
Who is eligible for CPT?
To be eligible for CPT, you must be enrolled in a major program of study that has an academic internship course built into the curriculum and you must meet the following additional criteria:
- Be in lawful F-1 status
- Have approved health insurance
- Have a job offer
- Be enrolled full-time (6 credit hours per semester for graduate students)
- Cannot be enrolled in an Intensive English Program (IEP)
When can I take CPT for the Executive Graduate program:
- In order to be eligible to obtain employment authorization for CPT – you must be accepted into the Executive program and working full-time. Upon acceptance into the Executive program you will receive the Initial CPT application with instructions. Read the instruction email carefully. This application needs to be done accurately and in a timely manner to guarantee CPT authorization.
- Initial CPT Request for Executive Graduate Program applications can be submitted as soon as you are accepted into the Executive program. Applications must be submitted no later than 3 weeks prior to the start your first session.
- CPT can begin no sooner than the first day of your Executive programs start date
- Initial CPT Request for Executive Graduate Program applications can be submitted as soon as you are accepted into the Executive program. Applications must be submitted no later than 3 weeks prior to the start your first session.
- CPT must be directly related to your major field of study.
- You are required to register for an academic internship course for academic credit and must continue to register for the course during each semester to be eligible to continue working.
Academic Requirements
- Registration in the CPT/Academic Internship course
- Complete continuing update reports with your academic advisor/professor throughout your CPT experience as required by your CPT/academic internship course
- Complete final project to submit by the final end date of your CPT experience
- Maintain above a 3.0 GPA
Want to continue taking CPT?
CPT must be authorized for each academic semester (Fall, Spring, and Summer). CPT applications must be submitted no later than 3 weeks before the start of the next semester. In order to continue CPT for consecutive semesters, you need to follow the Academic Internship request process, which can be initiated by reaching out to Ihybrid@indianatech.edu. You will then receive an email with instructions and the link to begin the Academic Internship request process. You will be responsible for payment of the credit hours each time you wish to engage in CPT at the time you make your request. Note that full-time employment for 12 or more months will invalidate your eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT).