CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT)
 

Purpose:
This handout is designed for students in F-1 status. It provides information on a type of employment that is available before  you complete your studies.

DEFINITION of Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) work authorization allows international students to participate in internships, cooperative education, or practicum’s which are integral to their program of study. CPT can be granted by the Director of International Student and Scholar Services only with the recommendation of the student’s academic advisor or, in the advisor’s absence, the department director.

At Stevens, CPT is granted to students who have been in F-1 status for one full academic year and in conjunction with thesis or dissertation research, or on rare occasions when the work is required for all students in a particular course to meet a specific course requirement, and runs coincidentally with the start and ending dates of a semester.  A student will be assigned a grade of F for their course if they do not complete the required thesis/dissertation before graduation. The last date for obtaining approval for a course being used for CPT is the same as the end of the add/drop period each semester.

Students must discuss their proposed internship with their academic advisor who must approve the designation of an instructor indentified by the student to the supervise the student's CPT work. The student will normally be enrolled initially in at least 3 research/thesis credits. Advisors should ascertain that the objectives of the training are academically relevant. Please note that a students academic advisor must approve a credit bearing course for each semester that the student desires to do CPT. Once a student enrolls in a thesis/co-op/project course, if they do not complete the course they will receive a grade F for that semester.

The student should request the employer to send the instructor a written report of the student’s accomplishments during the period of CPT. Reports and other documents should be retained so that Stevens can respond to any questions from The Department of Homeland Security that may arise. Once the academic advisor has recommended the work experience and the student has enrolled in a course for that purpose, the Director at ISS can grant Curricular Practical Training.

Students in one department cannot be seeking or be granted recommendations by anyone outside their department or by other instructors.

CPT will not be approved for students who have been awarded an assistantship or who are working in other on-campus jobs during the same semester, and assistantships and other on-campus employment will not be approved for students who are working under CPT in the same semester.

Students are reminded that they may not begin work under CPT (or any off campus work) until they have been authorized to do so by the Director of ISS. Employment authorization will not be backdated.

CPT will not be available for students who are interested in doing an internship outside of the above categories. Such students will need to apply to use a portion of their Optional Practical Training (OPT) on a part-time basis (up to 20 hours a week) during regular fall or spring semesters or on a full-time basis during vacation periods; or have their employer obtain H-1 immigration status for them. Immigration is currently taking 2-3 months to approve OPT requests, so students interested in doing an internship this summer need to apply as soon as possible.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be considered for Curricular Practical Training, international students must maintain at least a 3.0 Grade Point Average and be in good academic standing (not on academic probation and have met admission requirements). They must be in F-1 status and have been a full-time student for one academic year or more, and the proposed employment must be critical to the field of study.