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 for graduation.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) recently issued guidance regarding CPT on August 12 and August 24. SEVP stated that CPT must be “an integral and required part of an established curriculum” and directed DSOs to authorize CPT only when the practical training is required for all students in the degree program. SEVP further stated that all CPT opportunities must be practical training which is managed by an employer who has entered into a cooperative agreement with the host institution.
CPT at WashU
CPT opportunities are called a variety of names at WashU including, but not limited to, practicums (Brown School), internships (Olin Business), clinical experiences (School of Medicine) and mentored experiences (Arts & Sciences).
While each school refers to CPT differently, CPT is a paid or unpaid training experience that is required for graduation. Each school or department oversees their graduation requirement and approval of eligible training experiences, but OISS is the only WashU office that can grant CPT work authorization.
Graduate students who are fully-funded by WashU (receive full tuition remission and a stipend) are limited to part-time employment up to an average of 10 hours per week. Requests to work more than 10 hours require additional departmental approval.
Eligibility
- F-1 Undergraduate students must complete at least one academic year in full-time valid immigration status.
- F-1 Graduate students are eligible for CPT authorization during their first year only if the degree program requires immediate participation.
- CPT authorization is for work that fulfills a graduation requirement.
- All third-party CPT employers must have a valid cooperative agreement with WashU.
Apply for CPT (4 steps)
You must already have an offer of employment for a CPT opportunity before applying for work authorization.
Step 1: Complete the CPT at WashU online course
Download the course Certificate of Completion
After completing this required course, save your Certificate of Completion. The certificate is needed to complete your CPT Authorization request in MyOISS.
The Certificate is available to you at the end of the course. You will also receive it at your registered email address. It is valid for 12 months upon completion. You can submit a valid certificate of completion for multiple authorization requests.
Step 2: Receive permission from your academic department
Each department has a specific office or staff member who reviews all requests for CPT. Contact your assigned approver to determine if your training experience qualifies. If your program is not listed below, your degree program may not have a curricular requirement for practical training. In this case, you are not eligible for CPT. You may contact your OISS adviser to discuss other types of eligible work authorization. If your department does have a graduation requirement, please have the faculty adviser contact OISS.
School of Arts & Sciences
- PhD Programs
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PhD students must be fulfilling a required Mentored Professional Experience as part of their Mentored Experience Requirement.
Brown School
- Brown Master’s Programs
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- Approver: Office of Practicum Education
- Eligibility: Student must be fulfilling the practicum requirement for graduation
- Requirement: Enroll in practicum course for 1-3 credit hours
Law School
- JSD
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JSD candidates completing their dissertation research should contact their OISS adviser for more information.
McKelvey School of Engineering
- PhD Programs
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PhD candidates completing their dissertation research should contact their OISS adviser for more information.
Medical School
- DBBS (Biology & Biomedical Sciences)
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PhD candidates completing their dissertation research should contact their OISS adviser for more information.
- MS in Deaf Education
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- Approver: Beth Elliott
- Eligibility: Student must be fulfilling the practicum requirement
- Requirements:
- Enroll in PACS 7411 or PACS 7412
- Position must be a minimum of 8 hours per week, and unpaid
- Students cannot accept more than two offers per semester
- MS in Genetic Counseling
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- Approver: Rachael Bradshaw
- Eligibility: Student must be fulfilling the required practicum (also known as fieldwork)
- Requirements: Enroll in GNCOUN 5060, GNCOUN 6030, or GNCOUN 6060. The position must be unpaid.
- MS or Doctor of Occupational Therapy
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- Approver: Shannon Eckhoff
- Eligibility: Student must be fulfilling the fieldwork or capstone project requirement
- Requirements: Enroll in 6610-Practice Application: FWIIA, 6620-Practice Application: FWIIB, or 6930-Doctoral Capstone Experience
- Doctor of Audiology (AuD)
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- Approver: Beth Elliott
- Eligibility: Student must be fulfilling the externship requirement
- Requirements:
- Enroll in PACS 8411, PACS 8412, PACS 8413, PACS 8421, PACS 8423, PACS 8431, or PACS 8432
- Position must be a minimum of 8 hours per week, and unpaid
- Students cannot accept more than one offer per semester
- Note: If accepting a full-time position for more than 12 months, please meet with OISS Adviser prior to submitting the CPT request.
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
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- Approver: Alice Morland
- Eligibility: Student must be fulfilling the clinical experience requirement
- Requirements: Enroll for credit in Clinical Experience I, II, III, or IV and position must be unpaid
Olin School of Business
- Bachelor’s
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- Approver: Yoon Groves
- Eligibility: Student must be fulfilling the experiential learning requirement
- Requirements:
- Enroll in MGT 4993 for 1.5 credit hours
- Position should be full-time. Part-time positions approved on a case-by-case basis.
- Specialized Masters Programs
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- Approver: Nicole Manco
- Eligibility: Student must be fulfilling the experiential learning requirement
- Requirements: Enroll in ACCT 5675, MGT 5515, or MGT 5999
- All Doctoral Programs
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PhD candidates completing their dissertation research should contact their OISS adviser for more information.
School of Public Health
- All Masters Programs
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- Approver: Kate Barbier or Bill Effah
- Eligibility: Student must be fulfilling the practicum requirement
- Requirements
- Enroll in practicum course for 1 – 3 credits
- Limited to one site per semester
- If site is WashU, position cannot be fully remote
Requirements:
- Enroll in practicum course for 1-3 credit hours
- Limited to one site per semester
- If site is WashU, position cannot be fully remote
Step 3: 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 & additional details
The information you provide in the request will appear on your I-20 with CPT authorization.
Required Documents
You must upload the following documents in the CPT authorization request:
- Certificate of Completion of the CPT at WashU course
- Employment offer letter* on company letterhead, including:
- Your job title
- Work location
- Start and, if known, end date
- Number of hours per week.
If an offer letter is not provided, your employer must complete and sign the Certification of Practical Training (PDF).
Approver Review & Cooperative Agreement
In the CPT request you will be required to enter the name and email address of the CPT approver listed in Step #2. The CPT approver will receive an online form verifying that the training is related to your degree program and fulfills a graduation requirement. The CPT approver must also provide a formal cooperative agreement between the department and any third-party employer.
Remote Work
If you will be working remotely, OISS must enter both:
- Your CPT employer’s address, and
- The U.S. address where you will physically be working remotely
Please include and clearly distinguish both addresses in your job offer letter and in your CPT request.
Step 4: 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.
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 CPT authorization.
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.
Before beginning work, check the employment information on your I-20. If it is blank or incorrect, contact OISS immediately. See example I-20 with CPT authorization below.
FAQs about CPT
- What’s the difference between part-time and full-time CPT?
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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.
- After CPT, will I be eligible for OPT?
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Yes, unless you are authorized for 365 days or more of full-time CPT, you are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) at the same degree level.
If you are authorized for 365 days or more of full-time CPT, you will not be eligible for OPT at the same degree level.
- Can I update or change my CPT details (employer, number of hours, start date, location, etc.)?
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If the start date of your training opportunity has passed, you must submit a new CPT Authorization request in MyOISS.
If you are no longer eligible to complete your graduation requirement and/or withdraw or are dropped from the CPT course after the CPT is approved, you may be in violation of your 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.
- What must I do if I am approved for CPT but do not work?
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It is essential that your SEVIS record is accurate. If you apply and/or are approved for CPT, but your plans change and you make a decision to not work, notify OISS as soon as possible. Your work authorization for CPT must be cancelled or removed if the intended employment does not occur.
- If I am not paid, do I need CPT authorization?
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As a best practice, always consult with your OISS adviser before agreeing to or starting any unpaid off-campus work. Learn more about unpaid internships and volunteering here. Unpaid internships may require CPT.