Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows students to gain practical experience in their field of study as long as the practical training is “an integral part of an established curriculum” [8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)].

Note: You do not have work authorization until you have received an updated I-20 from ISS with CPT authorization on the second page.

You must obtain work authorization before starting any employment. Working without authorization in the US is a violation of your F-1 status and can have very serious immigration consequences.

• CPT IS A BENEFIT OF YOUR F-1 STATUS

In addition to the eligibility criteria mentioned below, you must also be maintaining your F-1 status to be eligible for CPT. This includes being registered full-time.

You must meet a time requirement in F-1 status to be eligible. Please review the "Who is Eligible" section below for more information.

• CPT IS EMPLOYER-SPECIFIC

This means that you are only authorized to work for the specific employer named on page 2 of your I-20, and you are only authorized to work for that employer between the start and end dates listed on the second page of your I-20.

CPT work authorization is not transferable between employers and is only valid between the dates listed on the second page of your I-20.

If you wish to request an additional CPT authorization or to extend CPT at the same employer, you must go through the approval process again and have that second request approved before beginning work (or continuing work after the end of your first CPT).

• THE WORK MUST BE DIRECTLY RELATED TO YOUR FIELD OF STUDY

The purpose of CPT is to allow students to participate in a co-curricular experience that directly complements and enhances the skills and knowledge learned during their coursework and studio work.

Therefore, the employment or internship must be directly related to your major and must provide you with the opportunity to gain practical experience using skills related to your coursework.

• PLAN AHEAD AND APPLY EARLY

The CPT application process involves multiple steps. In order to ensure adequate time to process your request, we advise that you start the process of gathering your documents for CPT authorization at least two weeks before the proposed start date of your internship.

• CPT IS AUTHORIZED BY TERM

This means that if your internship will extend over more than one term, you will need to obtain a second CPT authorization in order to continue your internship. For CPT purposes, there are three terms:

• Fall semester authorization: first day of fall classes to end of fall classes
• Spring semester authorization: the day after fall classes end to last day of spring classes
• Summer authorization: day after spring classes end to day before fall classes begin

Remember, you cannot work until you have your CPT I-20.

• FULL-TIME CPT CAN AFFECT YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR OPT

If you do 12 months or more of full-time CPT, you will become ineligible for OPT after graduation. Part-time CPT authorization does not impact eligibility for OPT.

Part Time = working less than 20 hours per week

Full Time = working 20 hours per week or more

In order to be eligible to apply for CPT, you must have been in F-1 status for at least two consecutive semesters immediately prior to when you apply. You must also be maintaining your F-1 status (including being registered full-time or on an approved reduced course load for final semester) at the time you apply and during your CPT if it takes place during an academic semester.

Graduate students may be eligible for CPT authorization prior to completing their first academic year in F-1 status if their program requires an internship to be completed only during the first year.

Additionally, in all cases, any practical training opportunity must be considered an integral part of your curriculum.

Review the Internship approval process on the Internships at CCA portal page.

Please consult your department about internship guidelines for your particular major to ensure that you understand the steps and requirements for CCA internships.

Find your academic department's Internship Contact.

Effective fall 2023, CCA is using Moodle for all internship tracking. All students requesting Curricular Practical Training (CPT) approval for off campus employment must be enrolled in their program's Moodle Internship Course.

Important: International students must ALWAYS get CPT authorization before beginning any off campus employment.

• STEP 1: GET ENROLLED IN MOODLE INTERNSHIP COURSE

Contact your academic department to get enrolled in the Moodle Internship Course.

• If this internship is part of an internship course you are registered for (required internship), your internship coordinator will sign.
• If your internship is not related to an internship course (non-required internship), your program chair will sign.

When you are in the internship course, it appears in Moodle under My Courses. It will be considered an "In Progress" course. If you cannot find it, contact the Help Desk.

• STEP 2: COMPLETE THE ILA IN MOODLE

All instructions to complete the required Internship Learning Agreement (ILA) form are included in Moodle.

The information you need to prepare for the ILA includes:

• Name and address of the company
• Name, phone number, and email of the site supervisor
• Start and end dates of employment
• Number of hours per week you will be working
• Compensation rate (if any) for the work
• Description of the work you will be doing

Please note, your academic department must approve the ILA in Moodle as part of the CPT process. Incomplete ILA forms will not be accepted.

• STEP 3: GET CPT WORK AUTHORIZATION AND YOUR NEW I-20

Once your ILA has been approved in the Moodle Internship Course by your academic department, you must contact ISS (iss@cca.edu) to obtain required CPT work authorization.

Make sure the information submitted in Moodle is complete! Your ILA must be complete and signed, your academic department must have approved the ILA in Moodle. You must contact ISS once your ILA is approved in Moodle, or we will not be able to process your CPT request.

You cannot begin working before CPT has been authorized by ISS and you have your I-20 with CPT authorization on the second page.

Questions about the CPT approval process? Email: iss@cca.edu

Remember that CPT is authorized by term. This means if your internship will extend over more than one term, you will need to obtain a second CPT authorization in order to continue your internship.