Curricular Practical Training
Guidelines
As a student in F-1 status, you may apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) work authorization in your field of study if the practical training is an integral part of your established curriculum. This kind of practical training permits a student to take a temporary job for a period no longer than one academic term at a time. To participate in CPT, a student must be:
- Student must have been full-time student in the U.S. (not necessary at Loyola) for at least one academic year prior to the start of CPT (Exception:Students whose academic program requires an internship before one academic year)
- Student must be maintaining their F-1 status
- Student applies for one semester/quarter of CPT at a time
- Student must register for an "internship" course (or equivalent course) for 1 credit. (Exception: Students whose academic program requires an internship)
- Total employment cannot exceed 20 hours per week during the academic school year. (Exception: Students whose academic program requires an internship during the academic school year, e.g. Social Work.)
- Employment can be full-time during the student's annual vacation, however registration for "internship"course is still required. (See below for a complete definition of Annual Vacation.)
- Once the student completes all requirements for the degree, CPT is no longer an option.
In addition, students participating in CPT must:
- Apply for one semester or quarter of CPT at a time.
- Work within the dates on his or her CPT I-20 issued by OIP. Do not begin employment before the date entered on Page 3 of your I-20, and do not work beyond the ending date entered on Page 3 of your I-20.
- Not exceed 20 hours of work per week during the academic school year. Please Note: Students whose academic program requires a full-time internship during the academic school year (e.g., social work students) are exempt from this requirement.
Annual Vacation
Employment may be full-time during the student's annual vacation, during which registration for an internship course is still required. For students on the semester system, Summer Sessions are considered annual vacation, provided the student will register for classes the following Fall Semester. For students on the quarter system, any quarter may be considered as annual vacation as long as the student was enrolled full-time for the previous 3 quarters and will register for the quarter following the annual vacation.
OIP Recommends that international students stop actively looking for an internship once a semester/quarter has begun so that the student will not have to turn down an offer of internship employment as registration for the internship experience cannot occur once late and change of registration has expired.
CPT Limitations
Once the student completes all requirements for the degree, CPT is no longer an option. Using CPT does not affect the 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT). However, if you use 12 months or more of full-time CPT, then you lose your eligibility to apply for OPT.
For additional information about Curricular Practical Training, please contact us.
Application Procedures
You must obtain authorization from OIP before you can begin your CPT employment. To get authorization, you must submit the following documents to OIP:
- A CPT Verification form completed by your graduate program director or undergraduate academic adviser. You may need to schedule an appointment to obtain the signature of your graduate program director. Please inquire with your academic department.
- Your job offer letter from the proposed employer, including:
- Beginning and ending dates of proposed employment
- Number of hours per week to be worked
- General title or nature of the work (e.g. computer programmer, accounting, etc.)
You may also email these documents to OIP at intlcntr@luc.edu. Your CPT I-20 will be ready within 3 business days of your appointment.
Once you obtain written authorization from OIP, no further action is required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Important Note: You are not authorized to begin work until your new SEVIS I-20 has been endorsed by OIP.
Note 1: You are limited to a total of 20 hours per week of work during the academic school year. Exception: Students whose academic program requires a full-time internship during the academic year. Note 2: If you engage in full-time CPT for twelve months or more, you will no longer be eligible for Optional Practical Training. Note 3: If working on a thesis or final project, the work must contribute "materially and substantially" to that project.
Social Security Number
You must have a Social Security Number (SSN) to acquire a job and to receive payment for your work. If you do not have an SSN, you can apply for one only after you have received written authorization on your SEVIS I-20 from OIP. To apply for an SSN, you must take the following documents to a Social Security Administration office: a support letter from OIP, a SEVIS I-20 with CPT authorization, and other documents. Students usually receive their Social Security card two weeks after they apply for it. For more information, please see obtaining a U.S. Social Security Number.
Departmental Verification
International students on the F-1 visa may apply to OIP for permission to engage in Curricular Practical Training (CPT). This practical training must be an established part of the student's academic program and directly related to the student's field of study.
The student's academic department must recommend the student for CPT by certifying that the student has enrolled in a for-credit internship or practicum course. Students interested in CPT should have their departments complete the CPT Verifcation form.