Curricular Practical Training
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows you to engage in an internship or job that fulfills a requirement for practical and/or field experience in your major field of study. It allows you to be employed in a supervised, temporary position.
Training is an integral part of an established curriculum.
You must have prior authorization to engage in any paid or unpaid internship.
CPT can be authorized for part-time (20 hours or less per week) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week).
Eligibility
To be eligible for CPT, you must meet ALL of the following conditions:
- In lawful F-1 status
- Enrolled full-time at WSU in a degree-seeking program for 1 full academic year before your proposed CPT start date (If you are a graduate student enrolled in a program that requires immediate participation in CPT, you are exempted from this requirement)
- Continuing your enrollment as a student during your CPT (full-time CPT may count as a full course of study)
- Majoring in a field of study that has internship/off-campus research credits as part of the established curriculum
- Offered a job
Academic Enrollment Requirement
You must enroll in academic credits for each term in which you participate in CPT. This includes the summer term.
- Undergraduate students: 1 credit minimum per semester of CPT internship. HBM students should speak to an International Student and Scholar Services advisor regarding this policy
- Graduate students: 2 credit minimum per semester of CPT internship, research, or thesis work, with the exception of summer, when only 1 credit enrollment is required
Not Eligible for CPT?
If you are not eligible for CPT, you may be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Talk with an International Student and Scholar Services advisor about OPT opportunities.
How to Apply for CPT
Advisors in the WSU Office of International Programs authorize CPT, not the U.S. government. You must apply and receive authorization before starting CPT. Once you submit your application to International Student and Scholar Services, allow up to 7 business days for it to be processed.
CPT and OPT Comparison
CPT—Curricular Practical Training: Enables F-1 students to engage in off-campus employment or an internship that is integral to completion of their academic program
OPT—Optional Practical Training: Enables eligible F-1 students to engage in employment or internships within their major area of study
When do you participate?
OPT: Most often after completion of a degree program or graduate course work, but may be during a program as well
Eligibility
You must be enrolled full-time under lawful F-1 status for 1 full academic year prior to training. Graduate students whose program requires immediate participation in training are exempt from the 1-year prior enrollment requirement.
CPT
- Requires a job offer
- You are authorized to work for a specific employer only
- 12 months of full-time CPT makes you ineligible for OPT at the same educational level
- The internship must be a documented part of your program of study’s curriculum
OPT
- Graduate students who have completed all required courses and passed their preliminary exams are eligible to start OPT
- Maximum of 12 months of full-time work for post-completion OPT. If you are in a STEM degree program, you may be eligible for a 24-month extension
Enrollment Requirements
CPT
Part-time employment (up to 20 hours per week):
- Full-time enrollment is required during the academic year
Full-time employment (more than 20 hours per week):
- Enrolled part-time or full-time
- Minimum credits determined by your academic department
OPT
Graduate student pre-completion OPT
- Employment may be part-time or full-time (part-time authorization will apply to the 12-month limit at 0.5 times the full-time rate)
- Enrollment is not required for immigration purposes
Post-completion OPT
- Full-time employment only (20+ hours per week)
- Any volunteer position used to satisfy the minimum 20 hours per week of employment to avoid accruing 90 days of unemployment must be directly related to the student’s major field of study
Applications
CPT
Apply for CPT through the WSU Office of International Programs. Processing time is about 1 week. There are no fees.
Upon approval, you will be issued a CPT I-20 form.
Your academic department will:
- Determine whether CPT is an integral part of your academic program
- Determine enrollment requirements (examples: internship course, research credits)
- Recommend CPT
WSU Office of International Programs will:
- Verify your eligibility
- Determine on a case-by-case basis whether CPT is appropriate if a program does not have a required internship
- Authorize CPT in SEVIS
OPT
Apply for OPT through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Processing may take up to 3 months. There is a $410 fee (subject to change).
Upon approval, you will be issued an Employment Authorization Document.
Your academic program will:
- Verify completion of all required courses for the program (for graduate students who are ABD)
- Verify your expected program completion date (for post-completion OPT)
WSU Office of International Programs will:
- Verify your eligibility
- Recommend OPT in SEVIS
For more information on Pre-Completion OPT, please contact IP-International Student and Scholar Services.
How CPT can Affect OPT Eligibility
Full-Time CPT
12 or more months of full-time CPT makes you ineligible for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) at the same educational level.
Part-Time CPT
Part-time CPT does not affect your eligibility for post-completion OPT.