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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows eligible F-1 students to engage in paid internship/employment which is related to and is an integral part of the major field of study.
• CPT employment must be a supervised, temporary position.
• CPT can be authorized for part-time (less than 20 hours per week) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week)

Information Reference for CPT

PRECONDITIONS: Student must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis at a DHS-approved school for one full academic year before being eligible for CPT. Exception exists for graduate students who programs require immediate curricular training. Available only while student is in F-1 status, before the completion of the educational objective.

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

DURATION:
Depends on the specific period granted by the DSO. May be granted by the 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 part-time ( 20 hours or less) or full-time (more than 20 hours).

FIELD/LEVEL OF WORK:
Must be an integral part of an established curriculum. The easiest way to demonstrate that it is an established part of the curriculum is to be enrolled in a course called “internship” or “practicum”

OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT:
Must have an offer of employment from the employer offering work that qualifies as curricular practical training.

EFFECT ON OTHER WORK: Use of full-time CPT for one year or more eliminates eligibility for OPT. Use of part-time CPT does NOT affect eligibility for OPT

APPROVAL PROCESS: Must receive written authorization from the DSO, who records authorization in SEVIS and issues SEVIS I-20 with notation, before work begins.

How to Apply for CPT

  • Secure an internship placement
  • Gain approval for internship course through your department/school requirements
  • Complete the CPT Request form and return it to iss@tcnj.edu

Do not begin the training until the new I-20 bearing the DSO’s (Designated School Official) CPT authorization has been issued and the CPT’s Start Date has been reached.

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