F-1: CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is employment which is “an integral part of an established curriculum” and “directly related to the student’s major field of study.” Curricular Practical Training is also defined as “alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with school.
PART-TIME VS. FULL-TIME CPT
Part-time CPT: Employment for 20 hours or less per week is considered part-time. Though there is no limitation upon the length of time you may participate in part-time CPT, you must be simultaneously enrolled in classes full-time in order to maintain lawful F-1 status.
Full-time CPT: Employment for more than 20 hours per week is considered full-time. Please be aware that 12 months or more of full-time CPT will invalidate your eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT). During the academic year you must be simultaneously enrolled full-time in order to maintain lawful F-1 status.
APPLICATION PROCESS