Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is work authorization available to F-1 international students who participate in a training experience as part of a curricular requirement. CPT opportunities are called a variety of names at WashU including, but not limited to, practicums (Brown School), externships (Law School), internships (Olin Business and Sam Fox), co-ops (McKelvey Engineering), clinical experiences (School of Medicine) and research-based training (Arts & Sciences).
While each school refers to CPT differently, CPT is a paid or unpaid training experience that is required for a course and/or graduation. Course enrollment is required for all CPT opportunities. Each school or department oversees approval of eligible training experiences, but OISS is the only WashU office that can grant CPT work authorization.
Students who are fully-funded by WashU are limited to part-time employment up to an average of 10 hours per week.
Remember that all work history on social media accounts (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.) and employer websites should match the work authorization you have received in the U.S. When you are physically located in the U.S. and in F-1 status, you must follow all F-1 work authorization regulations. Therefore, if your employer/company is considered an off-campus entity, CPT or OPT authorization is required.
Apply for CPT (3 steps)
You must already have an offer of employment for a CPT opportunity before applying for work authorization.
Step 1: Receive permission from your academic department
Each department has a specific office or staff member who reviews all requests for CPT. Please meet with your assigned approver to determine if your training experience qualifies. If your program is not listed below, your degree program does not have a curricular requirement for practical training. In this case, you are not eligible for CPT.
School of Arts & Sciences
Approver: Emma Merrigan
Requirements:
- Enroll in the Major Internship 299, 2PA, or the General Studies Internship course by the add/drop deadline of each term
- Students who are offered a position after the deadline, complete the Registration Exception form
Approvers: Grace Johnson (1st approver) & Michelle Rabe (2nd approver)
Requirements:
- Enroll in ASGS 9000, Section 22 with Grace Johnson
- The position must be at least 15 days
Approvers: Michelle Agustin (1st approver) and Michelle Rabe (2nd approver)
Requirements:
- Enroll in EDUC 4006/6006, EDUC 4580/6580, or EDUC 4900/6900
- Position must be unpaid
- Only eligible during fall and spring terms
- If enrolled in EDUC 4900/6900, the position must be a full-time, 16-week unpaid position, and completed during final semester in the program
Approvers: Michelle Agustin (1st approver) and Michelle Rabe (2nd approver)
Requirements:
- Enroll in EDUC 4006/6006, EDUC 4590/6590, EDUC 4910/6910, EDUC 4920/6920, or EDUC 4930/6930
- Position must be unpaid
- If enrolled in EDUC 4910/6910, EDUC 4920/6920, or EDUC 4930/6930, the position must be a full-time, 16-week unpaid position, and completed during final semester in the program
Approvers: Faculty Adviser (Director of Graduate Studies if no faculty adviser is available) AND Michelle Rabe (2nd approver)
Requirements: Enrolled in Math 591
CPT authorization is not allowed in the last semester of the program.
Approvers:
- Research based practical training: Program Coordinator (1st approver), PI/Thesis Mentor (2nd approver), and Cami Spampani (3rd approver)
- Non-research based practical training: Cami Spampani
Requirements:
- Enroll in ASGS 9000 or BIO 5900 (do not enroll in ASGS 9001)
- Position must be part-time
Approvers: Department (1st approver) and Director of Graduate Studies (2nd approver) and Michelle Rabe (3rd approver)
Requirements:
- PhD students must enroll in ASGS 9000: Graduate Research and Study Class (do not enroll in ASGS 9001)
- CPT authorization may be approved for Mentored Professional Experiences (MPE) that are unpaid and approved by the Office of Graduate Studies. Students must also enroll in ASGS 8120: Mentored Professional Experience.
Brown School
Approver: Office of Field Education
Requirements: Enroll in practicum course for 1-3 credit hours
Law School
Approver: Sarah Hellin
Requirements: Enroll in Supervised Research course
Approver: Sarah Hellin or Katie O’Flynn
Requirements:
- Enroll in Supervised Research, Externships, or Path to Practice course
- Non-St. Louis based externships must be full-time
- If enrolled in Externship course, position must be unpaid
- If enrolled in Path to Practice course, position can be paid or unpaid
McKelvey School of Engineering
Approver: Sarah Anderson-Durham
Requirements: Refer to the McKelvey Engineering Co-op and Engineering Internship page for full details and application process. Position must be paid.
Medical School
Approvers: Shelby Cripe (Sara O’Neal if Shelby is unavailable)
Requirements: Enroll in MSIB 630 Internship course
Approvers: Shelby Cripe (Sara O’Neal if Shelby is unavailable)
Requirements: Enroll in MSIB 630 Internship course
Approvers: Shelby Cripe (Sara O’Neal if Shelby is unavailable)
Requirements: Enroll in M18-5401 BMI Internship course
Approver: Beth Elliott
Requirements:
- Enroll in Practicum course that counts towards practicum requirement
- Minimum 8 hours per week
- Maximum 2 employers/sites allowed per semester
- Position must be unpaid
Approvers: Dr. Terry Kummer (1st approver) and Clarissa Craft (2nd approver)
Requirements: Must enroll in course M8 1535 Explore. If enrolled in coursework, position must be part-time.
Approvers: Dr. Terry Kummer (1st approver) and Clarissa Craft (2nd approver)
Requirements: Must enroll in Year-Long Research Program (MD5). If enrolled in coursework, positions must be part-time.
Approver: Shannon Eckhoff
Requirements: Enroll for credit in Clinical Experience I, II, III, or IV
Approver: Alice Morland
Requirements:
- Enroll for credit in Clinical Experience I, II, III, or IV
- Position must be unpaid
Approver: Beth Elliott
Requirements:
- Enroll in Observation and Practicum in Audiology, Practicum in Audiology, or Clinical Externship course
- Minimum 8 hours per week
- Maximum 1 employer/site allowed per semester
- Position must be unpaid, unless in final year
Approver: Beth Elliott
Requirements:
- Enroll in Mentored Teaching experience course, or PACS 9000 that counts towards practicum requirement
- Maximum 1 employer/site allowed per semester
- Position must be unpaid
Olin School of Business
Approver: Yoon Groves
Requirement:
- Enroll in MGT 450A for 1-3 credit hours
- Position should be full-time. Part-time positions are approved on a case-by-case basis.
Approver: Olin Graduate Student Affairs Office
Requirement: Enroll in MGT 5515 or MGT 5999
Approver: Olin Doctoral Programs Office
Requirement:
- Enroll in CPT 684: Independent study course
- Students are not eligible for CPT in their last semester of enrollment, unless research is directly related to dissertation research
School of Public Health
Approver: Katie Barbier
Requirement: Enroll in practicum course for 1-3 credit hours
Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts
Approver: Aaron Akins
Requirement: Be a BFA or BA and enroll in 1.0 credit internship course
Approver: Jennifer Boudreau
Requirement:
- Enroll in 0.5 credit hours of Training and Development Practice
- Position must be paid and can only be authorized during the summer semester
Approver: Aaron Akins
Requirement:
- Enroll in 0.5 credit hours of Training and Development Practice
- Position must be paid and can only be authorized during the summer semester
CAPS
Approver: Academic adviser
Requirement: Discuss with OISS adviser first
Step 2: Complete the CPT Authorization request in MyOISS
As part of the CPT Authorization request in MyOISS, you must submit information regarding your training opportunity including requested start and end dates, employer name and address and additional details. The information you provide in the request will appear on your I-20 with CPT authorization.
You must upload the following documents in the request:
- Employment offer letter, or the Certification of Employment Form (PDF) if an offer letter is not provided
- Completed and signed CPT Application & Approver Form (PDF) (for all programs except McKelvey)
- McKelvey CPT authorization form (for McKelvey students only)
Step 3: Obtain your I-20 with CPT authorization
Once OISS receives a completed CPT Authorization request in MyOISS, the processing time is up to 3 business days. When your updated I-20 with CPT authorization is ready, we will email you. You will be able to access and download your I-20 with approved CPT authorization from the “Documents and Requests” section of your MyOISS profile. Be sure to print your I-20 and sign (in ink) in the “student attestation” section.
In order to maintain your student status and not accrue unlawful presence, you may only work for the employer listed on the I-20 and only during the period authorized on the I-20. If you need additional time, you must apply for an extension of your CPT before the current CPT period expires. You must apply separately for each semester you want to CPT authorization.
Before beginning work, check for the employment information on your I-20. If it is blank or incorrect, contact OISS immediately. See example I-20 with CPT authorization below.
Important notes regarding CPT
This can be completed in F status or a previous immigration status. The only exception is Brown graduate students, where practicum is required as part of the academic program.
Immigration regulations define part-time and full-time practical training as:
- Part-time CPT is 20 hours per week or less
- Full-time CPT is over 20 hours per week
CPT must be authorized as either part-time or full-time. If the number of hours you work per week changes, and you will not be within the approved hours under the part-time or full-time definition, you must receive a new CPT authorization before you change your work schedule. A change in part-time/full-time CPT authorization requires a new CPT Authorization request in MyOISS.
If you are authorized for 365+ days of full-time CPT, you are not eligible for Post-Completion OPT at the same degree level.
If there are any changes to an already approved CPT authorization, you must submit a new CPT Authorization request in MyOISS.
If you are not enrolled in a CPT course after the CPT is approved and after the training opportunity ends, you are considered to be in violation of F-1 status. If this applies to you, contact your OISS adviser immediately.
If the start date of your training opportunity has passed, you must provide a letter from your employer (on company letterhead) confirming your correct employment dates or confirming that you did not perform any work before you were authorized to do so.
It is essential that your SEVIS record is accurate. If you apply and/or are approved for CPT, but do not end up using it, notify OISS as soon as possible. Your work authorization for CPT must be cancelled or removed if the intended employment does not occur.
Contracted work, often referred to as work for hire or 1099 employment, may suggest self-employment. In order to receive employment authorization for contract work, you must establish an employer/employee relationship.
If requested by DHS, you should be prepared to provide evidence showing the duration of the contract period and the name and address of the contracting company.
You might need work authorization to have your work (such as a paper, article, poetry or book) published. If the content was written while in the U.S. and published for pay and/or with the intent to solicit compensation, you need work authorization. Contact your OISS adviser if you are considering publishing content.
If you wrote the content while physically outside of the U.S., and are receiving passive income through investments or royalties from that work/service, you do not need work authorization.
Unpaid internships are allowed under CPT. As a best practice, always consult with your OISS adviser before agreeing to or starting any unpaid off-campus work. In some instances, your work may qualify is requiring CPT, but the specific requirements will depend on the nature of your opportunity. Learn more about unpaid internships and volunteering here.
If you are paid for presenting at a conference, or if you receive an honorarium, you generally need off-campus work authorization before engaging in the activity for which you will receive payment. In many cases, CPT will be the appropriate type of work authorization. Talk to your OISS adviser for more details.