CPT is degree-related training in which an F-1 student can participate if the student meets the required eligibility. The goal of CPT is to help students get experience in their future fields and to provide a more practical understanding of possible employment within their industry. F-1 students who meet the necessary criteria may be eligible to participate in Curricular Practical Training, or CPT. Read more about ORU's CPT policy, eligibility criteria, and approval process below.
In order to be eligible for CPT an F-1 student must:
- Have an "internship," "practicum" or "clinical" hour requirement as part of the degree-completion requirement, or obtain recommendation from the dean or chair of your department regarding the essential nature of the internship opportunity.
- Have been enrolled for one full academic year, unless your program requires internship/practicum/clinical hours to begin immediately after enrollment into the program.
- Accept an internship in a field that is related to the degree.
F-1 students who meet the eligibility requirement for CPT cannot begin their CPT hours (be them on or off campus) without prior approval entered in SEVIS, and a new I-20 issued to you. Do not begin any internship, practicum or clinical hours without prior approval from both your program and your International Student Success Coach/DSO. Completing any hours toward CPT without approval from a DSO is a violation of your F-1 visa regulation, and could subject you to visa termination.
Tip: If you have not been given a new I-20 with CPT approval on it then you are not allowed to start CPT.
To be approved for CPT you will need to submit to your International Student Success Coach the following information prior to beginning your internship, practicum or clinical hours:
- Proof of enrollment in internship/practicum course, or proof of the integral nature of internship/practicum
- Filing the correct paperwork
- A letter from your department chair/dean stating that the CPT is an integral part of their degree
- An employer letter on employer letterhead, stating job decription and duties, whether CPT is full-time or part-time, and beginning and end dates.
- You must submit both the letter from the department chair/dean and the employer letter.
- A fully completed digital CPT application with the F-1 student’s information
- A DSO will review the paperwork and, if approved, issue an I-20 electronically to the F-1 student’s ORU email with the CPT authorization within five business days.
- Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and will be returned
Yes, you can work at more than one location in order to complete your CPT hours. This is common for programs that have on-going CPT, like Nursing where there are clinical hour requirements in most semesters.
You will need to file separate CPT paperwork for each location you will be working at.
In almost all circumstances your International Student Success Coach/DSO will only issue CPT approval for one semester. If your internship, practicum or clinical hours require you to do CPT for multiple semesters then you will need CPT approval from your International Student Success Coach/DSO for each semester in which you need to complete your hours. Contact your program director (or chair) for a new letter every semester in which you will need CPT approval, and submit the new letter to your International Student Success Coach/DSO
Yes, you may be paid for the internship, practicum or clinical hours worked while on approved CPT. If you have been approved for part-time CPT you may not work more than 20 hours per week.
If you have an on-campus job and have been approved for CPT, you will need to file for full-time CPT to be able to be on CPT and have an on-campus job at the same time.
Please be mindful that paid employment in the United States will require you to file taxes with the US government. For more information on paying taxes as an international student, click here
If approved for full-time CPT then you are eligible to work more than 20 hours a week at your internship, practicum or clinical hours site(s). However, please be mindful that working full-time CPT for 12 or more months may result in you not being eligible to apply for OPT after graduation. For this reason we strongly suggest that F-1 students only work part-time CPT to ensure they are still eligible for OPT after the completion of their program.