What is CPT?

The regulations state that CPT training must be "an integral part of an established curriculum." THe define curricular practical training as "alternate 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." 8 C.F.R. ¶ 214.2 (f) (10) (i)

CPT Requirements The following list explains what CPT is, and if you qualify for it. If you have any specific questions, please see the Center for Global Education.

Preconditions

Student must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis at John Carroll University for one full academic year before being eligible for CPT. Exception exists for graduate students whose programs require immediate CPT. CPT is only available to students in F-1 status, before completion of the education objective.

Location

Students may engage in CPT only for the specific employer, location and period approved and recorded by the DSO in SEVIS.

Duration

May be granted by DSO in increments of no more than one year, or until expected date of employment completion, whichever is shorter. No cumulative maximum, except that it can only be approved before completion of the academic objective.

Hours per week

Can be approved for part-time (20 hours or less) or full-time (over 20 hours), e.g. part-time during the academic year and full time during summer recess.

Field/level of work

Must be an integral part of an established curriculum, in the student's course of study.

Offer of employment

Must have an offer of employment from an employer offering work that qualifies as CPT.

Effect on other work

Use of full-time CPT for one year or more eliminates eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT)/ Use of part-time CPT does not affect reliability for OPT.

Approval process

Must receive written authorization from DSO, who records the authorization in SEVIS and issues SEVIS I-20 with notation, before work begins USCIS approval is not required.

Miscellaneous

Students must continue to maintain a full course of study in F-1 status during the period of employment.