Body
Question
What are the requirements for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) as a international student?
Answer
- The process is between the student and USD's Gallagher International Center based on federal regulations and institutional policies.
- There is no fee for processing the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) application.
- Eligibility for CPT:
- Students need to be enrolled for one academic year (fall and spring/spring and fall) full time before applying for CPT which may only be allowed before a student’s program completion date (program end date on an I-20).
- The CPT needs to be integral part of a student’s curriculum and the training directly related to their field of study (major/graduate program), per federal regulations.
- At USD students need to be enrolled in an internship course in the term that they are having their CPT.
- A new CPT request form is needed for each term that the CPT is needed for.
- The following documents are required to be emailed to our office (isso@usd.edu) for review as part of the CPT request:
- USD CPT form (filled out by the student and their academic advisor)
- Copy of an employment/training offer on company letterhead (employment dates, work hours per week, duties, supervisor name, employment site information, etc. to be listed on the offer) signed by the designated authority.
- CPT can be part-time during the spring and fall term (20 hours or less per week) and full-time during summer (more than 20 hours per week).
- The work can be paid or unpaid (volunteer).
- Students may only work for that approved employer during the approved dates, at the approved employer location.
- If there will be a change in employment, a new CPT request is needed to be sent for review.
- 12 months of full time CPT disqualify a student to apply for OPT.
- Students may apply for CPT at least 2 weeks before the employment start date.
- If the CPT request will be approved, a new I-20 will be issued to you with the approved CPT on its 2nd page.