Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Purpose/Uses:
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is one type of employment authorization available to F-1 students interested in gaining practical experience in their field of study while currently enrolled in a degree program.
Eligibility:
- F-1 student in good academic standing.
- Full time enrollment in the US for at least one academic year.
- Full time enrollment in current program and degree level for at least one semester at UTA.
- Enrollment in the corresponding internship course at UT-Arlington.
- The employment requested is an integral part of the degree program and recommended by the academic department.
Limitations:
- Limited to two semesters per degree level (full or part-time CPT).
- I-20s cannot be extended on the basis of CPT.
- Students may not have a GRA/GTA and CPT in the same semester except during summer.
- Students applying for CPT in their final semester must have at least one required course other than the CPT class in order to be eligible; this is not a change.
- Students working on CPT in their final semester must end CPT employment by the final day of class.
- Employment limited to prescribed CPT start/end dates:
CPT Semester |
Last day of class for semester prior to CPT |
CPT earliest start date |
CPT latest end date |
First day of class for upcoming semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall 2009 |
08/10/2009 (summer) |
08/11/2009 |
01/18/2010 |
01/19/2010 (spring) |
Spring 2010 |
12/11/2009 (fall) |
12/12/2009 |
06/06/2010 |
06/07/2010 |
Summer 2010 |
05/14/2010 (spring) |
05/15/2010 |
TBA |
TBA |
Request workflow:
- Talk to your academic advisor to discuss internship options in your specific degree program.
- Interview and get an offer letter for an INTERNSHIP position.
- Submit Prospective Employer's Information to the company and get a letter from the company.
- Enroll in the corresponding internship course. Your department can provide details.
- Have your academic advisor fill out the CPT Academic Advisor Recommendation form.
- Fill out the CPT Student Form.
- Submit completed forms to the OIE with your current I-20.
- Within 7-10 business days, the OIE will determine eligibility and issue a new I-20 authorizing the employment for the specified dates.
- Once you receive your new I-20, you may begin working on the start date listed on page 3.
(For more detailed instructions please read CPT Student Form below)
If you reside outside the DFW metroplex you may refer to the mail-in/mail-out process.
Cost:
Free.
Forms/Documents
Prospective Employers Information
(71 kb)CPT Advisor Recommendation Form
(135 kb)CPT Student Form
(163 kb)