Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Students may engage in CPT if practical training is “an integral part of an established curriculum.” In practice, this means that a student must be participating in an internship, clinical placement, or other off-campus work experience as a part of a degree requirement that is for academic credit. The training must be directly related to the academic major. 

CPT authorization is required for both paid and unpaid experience and is authorized only for a specific internship supervisor, location, and period; this information is noted on the I-20 upon receiving authorization for CPT. 

The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) must authorize CPT in your SEVIS record PRIOR to engaging in the internship experience. Students may only begin working on the start day indicated in the CPT authorization on page two of the I-20. If eligible for CPT, students must submit the CPT Request in the ISS Portal two weeks prior to the intended start date.

How is CPT part of the curriculum? 

CPT can be granted for internships that earn academic credit or for required clinical placements or internships that are required for all students to graduate. The internship course or requirement must be noted on the student's transcript. CPT must be directly related to your major field of study, so if you are taking an internship course as part of your minor, or in an unrelated subject, it will not be eligible for CPT.   

Completion of an internship or experiential learning through CPT must be considered academic work and cannot delay the completion of the degree program. There is no cost to apply for CPT, however, there may be costs to enroll in the appropriate internship course for your practical training experience.  Unless your program requires training or clinical hours for all students to graduate, you will need to enroll in an internship course earning credit for your degree to be eligible for CPT.   

Eligibility 

To be eligible for CPT, a student must: 

• Be in legal F-1 immigration status. 
• Have been a full-time student in the U.S. for at least one academic year. 
  • This requirement may be waived for graduate students only if off-campus training/CPT is required within the first academic year for all students enrolled in the academic program.  
• Have a written offer letter from the internship supervisor and the approval of their academic advisor or program director.  
• Earn academic credit for the internship experience.
   

 Additional Notes 

• Undergraduate students are eligible for CPT after they have been enrolled in the academic program for a full academic year and maintained F-1 status.
• Graduate students would be eligible for CPT in their first year only if the academic program requires it of all students. Most Masters programs at Quinnipiac do not require CPT in year one, so F-1 students will be eligible for CPT after the completion of one academic year.
• CPT must be part-time (less than 20 hours per week) in the fall and spring semesters. 
• Employment of more than 20 hours per week is considered full-time Curricular Practical Training and can only be completed in the summer term. Exceptions will be considered for graduate programs which require full-time clinicals, the QU in DC, and QU in LA programs.  
• Students who use twelve months or more of full-time CPT are ineligible for Post-Completion OPT. 
• CPT is authorized for one semester at a time. You must reapply for any subsequent semesters of CPT by submitting a new CPT Request in the ISS Portal.  
• The student must be re-authorized for CPT if the terms of the position will change (e.g. full-time to part-time), if the student changes internship location, or if the dates of the internship change. The student must submit a new CPT Request in the ISS Portal before the new terms go into effect.  
• The student’s endorsed I-20 will serve as proof of permission to work in the U.S. for the specific employer and dates notes on Page 2 of the I-20.  
• Students engaged in a paid CPT position will need to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) upon receiving their CPT I-20 if they do not already have an SSN. 
  
  

CPT Request Process   

1. Meet with your academic advisor or program director to determine if and when you may be eligible for a CPT experience based on your academic program requirements. 
2. Enroll in the appropriate credit-bearing course for the semester you intend to have CPT authorization.
3. Obtain an offer letter from your employer. The letter must include:   
   • Name of Company   
   • Address of Company  
   • Start and End Dates (within the semester)  
   • Number of hours per week   
   • Job title and description of role   
4. Submit the CPT request in the ISS portal, upload your offer letter, and enter the contact information of your academic advisor or program director for approval.  
5. The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) will review your request and issue you an updated I-20 with CPT Authorization noted on Page 2 within 3-5 business days of approval from the academic advisor or program director. You will receive an email when your request has been processed and your I-20 is ready for download.  
   
   

Extensions & Re-authorizations 

CPT approvals are authorized for a maximum of one semester at a time. Students must show proof of new course enrollment, an updated offer letter from the internship supervisor, and obtain the approval of the academic advisor indicating the necessity of continued internship.