Curricular Practical Training
What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?
Note: Please allow 5-7 business day for ISS processing.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.
CPT is an integral part of an established curriculum in a position that is directly related to their major area of study.
Authorization for CPT is granted by ISS and can take up to 2 weeks to obtain. It is important that students apply for the authorization as soon as they are able.
- Students should speak with their academic advisorāÆprior to beginning the CPT request process. This will help determine how the internship/employment experience is related to your program, required course registration, and any other academic department-related requirements.
- ISS canāÆonly authorize CPT after the student registers for the academic credit hoursāÆtied to their CPT.
- Students must beāÆauthorized for CPTāÆby ISSāÆbefore beginning employment.
- °ä±Ź°ÕāÆauthorizationāÆcomes in the form of anāÆupdated I-20.
- Employment must beāÆdirectly related to the studentās major.
- CPT employment can beāÆpaid or unpaid.
- Students MAY work on campus AND be authorized for CPT at the same time.
- Students MAY work on full-time CPT during ANY semester.
- CPT is aāÆsemester-based authorization. A request must be submitted for each semester a student wishes to participate in CPT.
- CPT Authorization Dates:
- The earliest start date one may request is the day after the last day of courses for the previous semester.
- The latest end date one may request is the last day of courses for the semester in which CPT is requested.
- CPT Authorization Dates:
In order to apply for CPT, students must:
- Be currently in valid F-1 student status
- Have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis in an approved SEVP-certified college, university, conservatory, or seminary for one full academic year
- Students who have transferred to Metro State may begin in āDay 1ā CPT if they already meet this requirement
- During the fall/spring semesters, student must be enrolled in a full course of study while on CPT
- Exceptions:
- Students onāÆfull-time CPTāÆcan study part-time if approved for a Full-Time Equivalency (FTE)āor, for those in their final semester, a Reduced Course Load (RCL)
- Students onāÆpart-time CPTāÆcan study part-time in their final semester, if approved for an RCL
- Exceptions:
- If student is participating in CPT during theirāÆfinal semester, they should be enrolled ināÆat least one courseāÆrequired for degree completion
- Receive employment offerāÆfor an off-campus position directly related to your major. Obtain an offer letter from your prospective employer, on company letterhead, with the following required details:
- Name, address, and contact information of employer/site supervisor
- If your physical work site is not at the employer address, the letter must include the complete work site address or remote work.
- Description of work to be performed
- Start and end dates of employment appointmentāÆ
- Hours to be worked per week
- Name, address, and contact information of employer/site supervisor
- Review Metro Stateās Internship Program information
- Meet or speak with a faculty learning evaluator (this person can be identified by consulting with the Dean of your academic program)
- Complete the Academic Internship Agreement (AIA)
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Request Form
- FTE or RCL (if applicable)
- If the student will be participating in full-time CPT and will be enrolled in part-time courses, the student must complete the Full-Time Equivalency (FTE) Request Form and submit as part of the studentās CPT application.
- If the student is in their final semester and will be enrolled in less than a full-time course load, the student must complete the Reduced Course Load (RCL) Request Form and submit as part of the studentās CPT application.
- DSO review request
- A DSO will review the request. If eligible, the DSO will enter the CPT authorization in SEVIS and issue a new CPT approved I-20.
- The CPT authorization information will be found on page 2 of the I-20.
- I-20 received
- You will receive your new CPT authorized I-20 by email.