Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

As stated in the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations, F-1 students wishing to participate in an off-campus training program that is an integral part of an established curriculum must first obtain work authorization known as CPT. The training is defined as an alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school, and must be in the student's field of study. You must obtain CPT authorization BEFORE you begin working.

Eligibility

• You must have been maintaining F-1 status for at least one academic year (2 semesters)
• GPA requirements:
• Undergraduates: 2.00
• Graduates: 3.00
• Transfer students and Program level changes
• New transfer students are not eligible for CPT in their first semester at UMCP
• Bachelors students who graduate and begin a graduate program are not eligible for CPT in their first semester of that new graduate program
• Masters students who graduate and begin a Ph.D. program in a different field of study are not eligible for CPT in their first semester in the Ph.D. program

Limitations

• Hours per week:
• In general, maximum 20 hours per week during the semester (part-time)
• No maximum limit during school vacations (full-time)
• Only part-time CPT in student's final term (including summer)
• CPT's effect on Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• Students who participate in 11+ months of full-time CPT become ineligible to apply for OPT
• Thesis/dissertation students in final term
• CPT cannot be authorized past thesis/dissertation defense date.  If CPT was originally authorized past defense date it will be shortened accordingly.
  

Application Procedure

Step 1. Obtain an internship/co-op offer letter on official company letter head from an employer which includes all of the following information:

• Specific start and end dates of the internship/co-op
• Number of hours per week
  
• Address of the workplace
  
• Amount of compensation
  
• Job description
  
• The name of your supervisor during the internship/co-op
  
• The specific term internship or co-op
• Statement that work is part of student's research if you are Masters thesis/Ph.D. student with no course work left to complete for degree program
  

Step 2. Register for an academic component (course) that ties the internship/co-op to your curriculum. To determine which academic component you should register for, please view the CPT online workshop. Below are descriptions of the different options and required supporting documentation:

• UNIV099/098 - Internship Seminar offered by the University Career Center (UCC)
  Copy of the UCC Learning Contract
• ENCO099/098 - Engineering Co-op offered by Engineering Co-op & Career Services
  Supervisory Agreement
• Internship course offered by department: Some departments offer their own internship seminars (ex: BMGT398T, HLTH785, COMM386)
  Print out/make a copy of the course number and course description for your CPT application.
• Independent study: A course in which a professor oversees your work experience.
  You will need a letter from the professor explaining:
  • Why the course is essential to your program of study
  • The relationship between the course and the internship/co-op
  • How your work will be evaluated
• Research credits (799, 898, or 899): If you are a Master's student only taking only credits of 799 or a PhD student that has finished all course work and/or advanced to candidacy, the internship can only be authorized if necessary for the completion of thesis/dissertation.
  Letter of support from academic advisor is needed. It must contain the following information:
  • The work is absolutely necessary for the completion of the thesis/dissertation
  • The subject of the thesis/dissertation & the relationship to the work
  • Recommended period of employment & number of hours per week

Step 3. Meet with an IES advisor during Walk-in hours or by Appointment to obtain CPT authorization.  Have the following prepared when you come to IES:

• Internship/co-op offer letter
• Registration in appropriate course
• Documentation required (above)