CURRICULAR PRACTICAL

TRAINING WORKSHOP
WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

October 17 WCU CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

DISCUSSION TOPICS
CPT DEFINITIONS
WHO QUALIFIES
STEPS TO START A CPT
RULES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

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CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS
8 CFR 214.2(F)
214.2(F)(10)(I) Curricular Practical Training
An F-1 student may be authorized by the DSO to participate in a curricular practical training
program that is an integral part of an established curriculum. Curricular practical training is
defined to be 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.
Students who received one year or more of full time CPT are ineligible for post-completion
academic training (OPT).
A request for authorization for CPT must be made to the DSO. A student may begin CPT only
after receiving a new Form I-20 with the DSO endorsement.

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What is CPT?
CPT is an Internship offered by sponsoring
employers through agreements with the
university that is required as an integral part of
an established curriculum, or will count toward
degree requirements.
CPT is recommended by the academic advisor
and endorsed by the DSO

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What does that mean?

October 17 WCU CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

CPT discussion
For academic credit OR curriculum requirement of major or
program.
If done for academic credit:
Only Internship courses qualify;
Independent Study, Topics or Seminar do NOT qualify.
Course must be corresponding to current degree level.
Authorized by a WCU DSO during an appointment.

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CPT discussion continued
Authorized for a specific employer
Duration of authorization (for academic credit)
From first day of classes until last day of classes (IF
student applies before start of semester) OR
From date of application until last day of classes (IF
student applies after start of semester).

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CPT discussion continued
No application fee
May be authorized as part-time or full-time
Authorization noted on page 2 of SEVIS I-20.
May be paid or non-paid, at employers
discretion.

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What do I need to do before I can start
my CPT?

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Step 1
A. Discuss the possibility of an internship with your academic advisor
B. Obtain a job offer letter from the employer
I. The letter must be on official letterhead
II. Specific start and end dates of internship/practicum
III. Number of hours per week
IV. Address of workplace
V. Compensation (if any)
VI. Job description (job title and 2 3 sentence description about how CPT is related to your field of
study)
VII. Supervisors name
VIII. The term internship/practicum

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Step 2
Complete the CPT Application form
http://www.wcupa.edu/international/documents/CPTFORM.pdf

Obtain appropriate academic advisor signature and course information as described in the CPT
Application

October 17 WCU CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

October 17 WCU CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
October 17 WCU CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
Step 3
Lastly, make an appointment with a DSO
At the appointment, the DSO will review your documents and immigration status and if eligible,
authorize our CPT. You will receive a new Form I-20 that shows your CPT authorization on the
2nd page.

You should bring the following items with you to your appointment
1. Job offer letter
2. A complete CPT application form with the signature of the academic advisor
3. Passport & I-94
4. Proof of course registration for internship/practicum

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CPT REGULATIONS
CPT is NOT to be used for the primary purpose of facilitating employment
While on CPT, you must be enrolled full-time during the semester. Enrollment in non-credit
courses does not count towards your full-time enrollment
Students in their final semester of study cannot participate in full-time CPT
Students who have recently transferred or started a new program in a different field of study
cannot participate in CPT until they have completed two semesters at WCU or in the new
program
Students who participate in 12+ months of CPT become ineligible for OPT. We recommend
that students do not exceed 11 months of CPT if they want the option of OPT.

October 17 WCU CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

FAQs
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENT BETWEEN CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT) AND OPTIONAL
PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT)?
CPT provides employment or training opportunities for students while they work on a degree. It
is an integral part of the curriculum authorized by the DSO, and is usually for a period of a
semester.
OPT provides employment or training opportunities for students after they complete a degree. It
is authorized by the immigration service in the form of an EAD card and lasts up to one year.
Attend one of the WCU OPT workshops for more information.

October 17 WCU CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

FAQs
WILL MY CPT TIME AFFECT MY OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT) AFTER GRADUATION?
Full-time CPT may total one year without affecting OPT. Full-time CPT that continues for more
than 12 months makes the student ineligible for OPT. Part-time CPT does not affect a students
OPT.

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FAQs
WHEN CAN I PICK UP MY CPT AUTHORIZATION (FORM I-20) AND WHEN CAN I START
WORKING?
You can submit your CPT application to the Center for International Programs (CIP) at any time;
however, students are encouraged to apply 6 weeks prior to the start of the semester. The start
of CPT should coincide with the start and end date of the semester.
You may only begin work for the days authorized on your Form I-20. You may not begin working
until your Form I-20 has been authorized and picked up in the CIP. Any work done before CPT is
approved is unauthorized employment and a violation of your F-1 status.

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FAQs
DO I HAVE TO BE ENROLLED IN A COURSE?
Yes. CPT is given so that students may meet an academic objective associated with a specific part
of your curriculum. It must be credit bearing and count towards the completion of your degree.

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FAQs
CAN I GET CPT AUTHORIZATION FIRST AND THEN FIND A JOB?
NO. CPT work authorization is granted for a specific employer and for a specific period of time,
usually corresponding to a semester.

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FAQs
CAN I WORK ON CAMPUS WHILE DOING CPT? CAN I KEEP MY GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP?
It is unlikely that this will work. International students can work 20 hours per week on campus
during the academic year. Participating in CPT and working on campus will most likely bring you
over the 20 hour limit which would be a violation of your F-1 status.

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FAQs
CAN CPT BE AUTHORIZED FOR EITHER FULL TIME OR PART TIME?
CPT may be either full- or part-time. Part-time CPT is limited to 20 hours or less per week. Full-
time CPT is anything more than 20 hours per week.

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Questions?

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Contact information
Center for International Programs
West Chester University of PA
675 S. Church Street
Mitchell Hall, 3rd floor
West Chester, PA 19383
Phone: 610-436-3515
Fax: 610-436-3426
Email: international@wcupa.edu
Website: www.wcupa.edu/international

October 17 WCU CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS