Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is off-campus employment authorization available to eligible F-1 students when practical training is an integral and required part of the established curriculum.
CPT may include an internship, practicum, clinical placement, fieldwork, cooperative education, or other required practical training experience that is directly related to the student’s major area of study.
CPT must be required for degree completion and meet applicable University, academic, and F-1 regulatory requirements.
Application Process for CPT
- Verify Your Eligibility — Confirm that you meet CPT requirements.
- Secure Your Training Opportunity — Obtain a qualifying training offer.
- Register for the Required Course — Enroll in the required course and academic credit.
- Submit Your CPT Request — Apply through International Services before the last day to add a course.
- Complete the Review Process — Your academic department and International Services will review your request.
- Receive Your CPT I-20 — Review your updated I-20 and CPT authorization.
- Begin Your CPT — Start your training only on or after the authorized CPT start date.
You must receive your CPT-authorized Form I-20 before beginning employment. CPT authorization cannot be backdated.
Eligibility for CPT
An F-1 student may be eligible for CPT when:
- The training is an integral and required part of the established curriculum.
- The training is required for students in the applicable curriculum.
- The training is directly related to the student’s major area of study.
- The student is enrolled in the required course and receives academic credit during the applicable term, consistent with the University’s Credit Hour Policy.
- The student is maintaining valid F-1 status and making normal academic progress.
- The student has completed at least one full academic year of lawful full-time study, unless an exception applies.
- The training meets applicable University, academic and F-1 requirements.
- The employer and training opportunity meet established Federal requirements.
CPT is not available for training that is:
- Undertaken solely for professional experience or résumé building
- Based on a minor or general graduation requirement
Students seeking off-campus employment for professional experience that is not an integral part of their curriculum should explore Pre-Completion OPT, when eligible.
When to Apply for CPT
- Earliest to Apply: Once registered for the applicable CPT course
- Latest to Apply: By the last day to add the required course
- DSO Review Time: Allow at least 1–2 weeks for departmental and DSO review.
- Training Start: Only after receiving the CPT-authorized Form I-20
Important: Do not begin employment until you have received your CPT-authorized Form I-20.
CPT Training Requirements
CPT is authorized by a Designated School Official (DSO) through SEVIS and must be reflected on the student’s CPT-endorsed Form I-20.
- Must be issued before employment begins.
- Cannot be backdated.
- Is specific to the approved employer, position, location, dates, and hours.
- Requires separate authorization for each employer and CPT segment, as applicable.
Students must:
- Maintain the required course of study for F-1 status.
- Register for the appropriate CPT course.
- Receive academic credit during the applicable academic term, consistent with University requirements.
Before CPT can be authorized, students must obtain a qualifying training opportunity through an approved employer or training arrangement.
The employer offer letter must include:
- Employer name and address
- Supervisor’s name and contact information
- Training start and end dates
- Number of hours per week
- Position or type of training
- Description of training duties
There is no cumulative maximum period for CPT. However:
- 12 months or more of full-time CPT makes a student ineligible for post-completion OPT at the same educational level.
- Part-time CPT does not count toward the 12-month full-time CPT limit.
Students may have more than one CPT authorization when permitted by their academic program and University requirements.
A separate CPT authorization is required for each employer and CPT segment. Students must not begin work for a new employer or in a new position until the appropriate CPT authorization has been issued.
CPT may be authorized on a part-time or full-time basis.
- Part-Time CPT — 20 hours or fewer per week.
- Full-Time CPT — More than 20 hours per week.
During the academic year, CPT is generally limited to part-time employment unless full-time practical training is required by the academic program.
Full-time CPT may generally be available during an authorized school break or when required by the academic program.
CPT may be paid or unpaid. Whether a position is paid does not determine whether it qualifies for CPT.
Students and employers must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment and wage requirements.
Types of CPT Programs
CPT may take various forms, depending on the requirements of your academic program.
A structured, supervised, career-related work experience that may be paid or unpaid. Internships are either a degree requirement or an elective through which academic credit is earned and applied toward degree completion.
A required, course-based, supervised field experience fully integrated into academic coursework. Practica allows students to observe and document the practical application of skills in a professional setting.
A required hands-on learning experience in health-related fields (e.g., nursing, social work, counseling) where students practice under licensed supervision to meet accreditation and/or licensure requirements.
A supervised, community-based or service-oriented learning experience (e.g., student teaching, classroom observation, social work, environmental studies) that integrates academic theory with professional practice in a real-world setting.
A supervised, course-integrated setting where students apply scientific methods and techniques to experiments, data collection, and analysis. These hours are required to meet the learning outcomes of the course and degree program.
Employed at an off-campus location through educationally affiliated contractual relationships with several nonprofit organizations.
Students may also be eligible for CPT associated with approved University programs and educationally affiliated contractual relationships:
- Jaggar Community Fellows Program: a structured fellowship program that partners with participating nonprofit organizations to provide practical training experiences.
- Other educationally affiliated contractual relationships with participating nonprofit organizations.
These opportunities must meet all applicable CPT, academic, University, and F-1 requirements.
How to Apply for CPT
Unlike OPT, CPT does not require filing with USCIS. Authorization is handled entirely through your DSO and International Services.
- Attend a CPT workshop to review the CPT process and requirements.
- Schedule an appointment with your academic or faculty advisor to confirm:
- The training is an integral and required part of the established curriculum.
- The training is required for students in the applicable curriculum.
- The training is directly related to your major area of study.
- The employer is a legitimate employer able to provide an appropriate practical training experience through an established cooperative agreement with Adelphi.
- You will receive the required academic credit during the CPT term.
- The training is not solely for professional experience or résumé building.
- The training is not based solely on a minor or general graduation requirement.
- The student meets the F-1 enrollment and status requirements, including the one full academic year requirement unless an exception applies.
The training opportunity must be provided through an approved employer or training arrangement.
- The employer must maintain an established cooperative agreement with the individual college or school.
- The employer offer letter must include:
- Employer name and address
- Supervisor’s name and contact information
- Training start and end dates
- Number of hours per week
- Position or type of training
- Description of training duties
Submit your request before the last day to add the required course, as listed on the Academic Calendar.
Register for the required internship, practicum, or other required course during the same academic term as the training.
The number of credits must comply with the University’s Credit Hour Policy, unless otherwise specified by the applicable plan of study.
Submit the CPT request through the .
Upload:
- Employment offer letter
- Proof of registration for the related internship, practicum, or required course
- Proof of registration for the required CPT course
- Any additional documentation requested by International Services or the academic department
Submit the request before the last day to add the required course.
After you submit your request:
- Your academic or faculty advisor will review the training and confirm that it meets academic requirements.
- Departmental approval is required before International Services can proceed.
- A DSO will review your request for compliance with CPT requirements.
- If approved, the DSO will authorize CPT in SEVIS and issue an updated Form I-20 with CPT authorization listed on page 2.
Students will receive an email when the CPT I-20 is ready.
You may begin your training only on or after the authorized CPT start date and must follow the employer, position, location, hours, and dates listed on your CPT I-20.
- You must continue to maintain a full course of study and valid F-1 status throughout all periods of authorized CPT.
- Employment without prior CPT authorization is a violation of F-1 status.
- CPT authorization is specific to the:
- Employer
- Position
- Location
- Start and end dates
- Number of hours per week
- A separate CPT authorization is required for each employer and CPT segment, as applicable.
FAQs: Curricular Practical Training
CPT must be an essential and required part of your established curriculum. Successful completion of the applicable program or curriculum requires participation in the practical training.
- part of curriculum
- required to complete
No. CPT must be required as part of the established curriculum and directly related to your major area of study. A course that is merely elective, a minor requirement or a general graduation requirement does not qualify on its own.
- required course
- major-based
- not elective
CPT is required, curriculum-based practical training that is an integral part of your established curriculum.
OPT is optional practical training related to your major and is not required to complete your degree or program.
- OPT is optional
Generally, yes. F-1 students must complete one full academic year of full-time enrollment before participating in CPT, unless an exception applies, such as a graduate program that requires immediate participation in practical training.
- complete one full academic year
Your Designated School Official (DSO) authorizes CPT in SEVIS and issues an updated Form I-20 showing your CPT authorization. You must receive your CPT-authorized Form I-20 before beginning training. CPT authorization cannot be backdated.
- DSO authorization
- CPT I-20
- No backdating
Yes, when permitted by your academic program and University requirements. A separate CPT authorization is required for each employer and CPT segment, as applicable.
- need separate authorization
- prior approval
CPT training must meet applicable University and federal requirements. When a cooperative agreement is required, the employer must have an established agreement with Adelphi.
- qualifying employer
- training offer letter