Curricular Practical Training for International Students

Curricular practical training (CPT) is one type of practical training available to eligible F-1 students. Authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO), CPT is an alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education or other type of required internship or practicum that is an integral part of an established curriculum from a sponsoring employer through a written agreement with the student’s school.

An F-1 student must receive prior authorization for CPT from their DSO prior to beginning any off campus internship or practical training experience to avoid a violation of status. Unauthorized participation in any off-campus internship or employment opportunity is a violation of F-1 status and will result in the termination of a student’s SEVIS record, requiring the student to depart the country immediately.

Types of CPT

Students may be eligible for curricular practical training authorization for the following types of off campus practical training experiences. CPT cannot be authorized for a student to obtain real-world experience or to build your résumé. Students interested in practical training for these purposes must apply for pre-completion OPT with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Required Academic Internship
Elective Academic Internship
Clinical Experience
Field Experience
Student Teaching
Jaggar Community Fellows Program

Eligibility Criteria

Have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis while physically present in the United States for one academic year (i.e. two full terms) with the same SEVIS record ID, unless your academic program requires immediate participation for all students.
Employment must relate directly to the student’s major area of study and be an integral part of the school’s established curriculum for which the student is receiving academic credit per the established Adelphi credit hour policy.
Employment or training must occur prior to the student’s program end date on the Form I-20.
Employment and academic credit must occur in the same academic term and follow the academic calendar “drop/add” dates.
Employment requires a signed cooperative agreement with the academic school or letter from the employer.
A student may begin curricular practical training only after receiving his or her Form I-20 with the DSO endorsement and not before the CPT start date indicated on the form.
Non-degree students or participation in a non-degree program does not apply toward the one full academic year requirement.

Documentation Needed to Apply

Participation in CPT Workshop
Confirmation of academic credit registration
Academic/Faculty Advisor Recommendation for CPT
Submission of curricular practical training request through the International Services Portal
Official letter from the employer that includes the employer name, employer address, supervisor name, supervisor contact information, employment start and end date, number of hours per week, type of training and duties included.
Explanation of how the employment is an integral part of the academic program.

Part-Time vs. Full-Time CPT

Part-time CPT includes employment that is 20 hours or less per week.
Full-time CPT includes employment that is more than 20 hours per week. (12 months or more of full-time CPT will eliminate your eligibility for OPT).

Frequently Asked Questions About CPT

No, if the experience is supplemental training and not required for your major, you must apply for Pre-Completion OPT.

Yes, students can have more than one CPT authorization at the same time and must apply for each one individually.

No, you must wait to receive your CPT authorized I-20 before you begin curricular practical training and not before the CPT start date indicated on the form.

You will be considered to have violated your F-1 status for unauthorized employment and your SEVIS record will be terminated by your designated school official.

Once your designated school official has received your completed CPT request through the International Services Portal and it has been approved by your academic advisor, your request will be processed within 3 – 5 business days.

To apply for CPT, you must submit the curricular practical training request through the International Services Portal and include and/or upload all required documentation listed above.

CPT requires a signed cooperative agreement with the academic school or letter from the employer. Students applying for an elective training experience must provide an official letter from the employer that includes the employer name, employer address, supervisor name, supervisor contact information, employment start and end date, number of hours per week, type of training and duties included.

Yes, the CPT experience can be full-time, which is more than 20 hours per week, or part-time as necessary to meet the academic program requirements. Please be aware that 12 months or more of full-time CPT will eliminate your eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT).