Curricular practical training (CPT)
Learn about what CPT is about and how to obtain authorization.
Overview and definition
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary employment that is an "integral part of an established curriculum" and "directly related to an F-1 student's major." CPT is authorized by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) with the purpose of achieving a curricular objective. CPT includes alternate work, co-ops, internships, or any other type of practicum which is required or for which academic credit will be awarded.
It is the student's responsibility to maintain their F-1 status. In order to apply for CPT at the University of Utah a student must be both academically eligible as well as compliant with U.S. federal government regulations as outlined below.
2024 CPT Workshop Event Details
Attendance is mandatory to avoid any confusion in the process and ask advisors questions. Registration is required through UAtlas and opens 30 days prior to each workshop. Below is a schedule of dates for the 2024 year.
| Semester | Date | Time |
| Spring | Thursday, January 4, 2024 | 12 PM to 1 PM (MST) |
| Spring | Tuesday, March 5, 2024 | 2 PM to 3 PM (MST) |
| Spring | Friday, April 19, 2024 | 2 PM to 3 PM (MST) |
| Summer | Thursday, July 18, 2024 | 10 AM to 11 AM (MST) |
| Fall | Friday, November 15, 2024 | 2 PM to 3 PM (MST) |
2024 CPT Application Windows
If a student is offered an internship, off-campus position, or participating in an opportunity that would otherwise require CPT authorization from ISSS, the student will need to be aware of when to begin submitting an application. See below the current application window periods for each semester:
| Semester | Application Window |
| Spring 2025 | November 18, 2024 - February 7, 2025 |
| Summer 2025 | March 24, 2025 - June 13, 2025 |
| Fall 2025 | June 23, 2025 - September 19, 2025 |
student eligibility requirements
Main Campus Students
Students who have been in lawful nonimmigrant status for ONE academic year (two consecutive full-time semesters) and have a current ACTIVE SEVIS record.
Students do not need to have had F-1 status for the one full academic year; students can satisfy the “one full academic year” requirement even if they had another nonimmigrant status during that time and there was no break in study.
U Asia Campus Students
Students transitioning from the U Asia Campus must complete ONE academic year (two consecutive full-time semesters) at the University of Utah Main campus in Salt Lake City, Utah before applying for CPT.
Utah Global Students
Students in the Utah Global program as an Academic Accelerated Program (AAP) or Extended Accelerator Program (EAP) student are not eligible for CPT during their program. In other words, time spent in the Utah Global program does notcount towards CPT eligibility. After completing the program, students must complete ONE academic year (two consecutive full-time semesters) at the University of Utah to be eligible for CPT.
Transfer Students
Students transferring their SEVIS record may qualify for immediate CPT if they met the full academic year requirement at the previous institution and did not have a break in study. Students must provide transcripts from the previous institution to ISSS to determine eligibility.
OPT, STEM OPT, re-entering the U.S. on a new SEVIS record or completion of a program is considered a break in study.
policies
First or Second Semester CPT (Graduate Students Only)
Graduate students will only be eligible to do CPT in their first or second semester of the program, if the department requires both domestic and international students to participate in an internship. ISSS will reach out to the department to obtain confirmation. No other exceptions will be made.
LOCATION
CPT that is physically located outside the State of Utah is not allowed during the fall/spring semesters. If summers is your final semester, it is not considered a vacation semester and you will be required to be physically present on-campus.
| Situation | Do I need CPT Authorization? |
| Working in U.S. for a U.S. based employer | Yes |
| Working in U.S. for a company based outside U.S. | Yes |
| Working outside U.S. for a U.S. based employer | Yes |
| Working outside U.S. for a company based outside U.S. | No |
Remote Work
Students are permitted to do remote-work but will be required to complete the CPT Employer form.
Processing Time
Upon receiving a COMPLETED application, ISSS will process the application within 10 business days. Depending on the time of the year the processing time may be a few days longer.
The 10 business days will begin once the department’s advisor submits their portion of the form , not when the student initially submits their application. It is the student's responsibility to ensure they meet the completed submission deadline.
Expedited Requests
ISSS is not able to expedite any request as we strive to provide fair and equitable service to all students. It is the student's responsibility to ensure they submit their CPT request in a timely manner.
Calling and emailing ISSS to request that we process student's requests as soon as possible will only slow down the process. We ask that you communicate with your employer about your CPT status and patiently wait until a decision is made.
CPT Grades
If a student does not receive credit and a passing grade for a previous CPT work authorization they will not be eligible for CPT authorization in the following semester.
Final Semester
If summer is your final semester, it cannot be considered a vacation semester. Fall/Spring restrictions will apply.
Hours
Students may choose to participate in part-time or full-time CPT in their final semester. All general rules for part-time or full-time CPT apply.
Enrollment
The CPT course may NOT be the only course taken in the final semester, the student must be enrolled in an in-person course to meet the final semester eligibility.
Please note that students must also have a course that requires on-campus physical presence in their final semester.
Location
CPT that is physically located outside the State of Utah is not allowed. If Summer is your final semester, it is not considered a vacation semester.
Grade Point Average (GPA) (Full-Time CPT)
A cumulative 3.0 GPA for undergraduate or 3.5 GPA for graduates, in the most recently reported semester is required prior to applying for Full-Time CPT during fall/spring semesters.
A break in study will reset the eligibility clock. OPT or STEM OPT is considered a break in study or re-entering the U.S. on a new SEVIS record.
Thesis Credits
For graduate students (Masters and Ph.D.) in a thesis program can use thesis credits for CPT as long as the internship activity is a necessity for the student's thesis research and the experience and/or data will facilitate the student's dissertation or thesis work.
Graduate students must have completed their coursework and actively be researching or working towards their dissertation/thesis topic.
Part-Time or Full-Time
CPT may only be authorized for either part-time or full-time, providing a student meets all eligibility requirements.
Part-Time CPT
-
- 1-20 hours per week (not an average)
- Students authorized for a medical reduced course load: part-time employment may be approved if it is encouraged by the student's physician in order to promote the student's health and wellness and must be reflected on the physician form.
- 1-20 hours per week (not an average)
Full-Time CPT
-
- 21-40 hours per week (not an average)- GPA requirements: Cumulative 3.0 GPA for Undergraduate Students Cumulative 3.5 GPA for Graduate Students Cumulative GPA in the recently reported semester prior to applying for full-time CPT in the fall, spring or a student's last semester.
- A DSO will not be able to process the CPT until all grades have been posted in the previous semester and is calculated in the GPA.
- Exceptions may be available only for students whose programs require internship participation or completion of the program.
- F-1 students are eligible for full-time CPT during the summer vacation semester regardless of GPA (unless it is their first semester).
- Students authorized for a medical reduced course load: Full-Time employment is NOT permitted.
Students who accumulate 12 months or more of Full-Time CPT will no longer be eligible to apply for Post-Completion OPT. Part-time CPT does not affect OPT eligibility. Students are responsible for tracking their own full-time CPT accumulation.
cpt requirements
Students must meet all of the following requirements before applying for CPT.
Related to Program/Major
The CPT opportunity MUST be directly related to a student's declared major/program of study.
Maintain Lawful Status & Full-Time Enrollment
Students must be in lawful status for ONE academic year (two consecutive full-time semesters) and have an ACTIVE SEVIS record.
Students can satisfy the “one full academic year” requirement even if they had another nonimmigrant status during that time and there was no break in study.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students must be making progress towards completing their degree. CPT must not cause a delay in the completion of a student's academic program. Students must also be in good academic standing (minimum 3.0 GPA for graduates, 2.0 GPA for undergraduates). Students on warning, probation or other negative academic standing may be denied CPT authorization.
CPT Course Enrollment
Students must be enrolled in an internship/practicum course within their department and is appropriate for their degree level for which academic credit will be awarded. At time of submitting the application to ISSS a CPT course must be in the student's schedule and must remain enrolled for the entire period of authorized CPT.
- Students must understand that there are tuition costs for CPT courses.
- Students may not enroll in independent study courses for CPT.
For assistance in registering for the Business Student Internship Program (BSIP) or
Career Services Internship Program (CSIP) course, students will need to work with
their BSIP/CSIP advisor.
CPT Start and End Dates
CPT will only be authorized for ONE semester at a time. The start and end date must be listed in the offer letter. If the student wishes to pursue another CPT in the next semester, they will need to submit a new CPT application and be enrolled in another CPT-eligible course.
The approved CPT Start and End Dates below are based off of the University Academic Calendar (subject to change).
| Fall 2024 | Spring 2025* | Summer 2025* | Fall 2025* | |
| Earliest CPT Start Date |
August 19 (First Day of Classes)
|
January 06 (First Day of Classes)
|
May 12 (First Day of Classes)
|
August 18 (First Day of Classes) |
| Latest CPT End Date for Continuing Students | December 13 (Last Day of Final Exams) |
May 02 (University Commencement) |
August 17 (Authorized Through the Break) |
December 12 (Last Day of Final Exams) |
| Latest CPT End Date for Students in their Final Semester | December 13 (Last Day of Final Exams) |
May 02
(University Commencement) |
August 01
(Last Day of Final Exams) |
December 12
(Last Day of Final Exams) |
Learning Objective Statement
Students are required to provide a strong, detailed statement explaining the relationship between the CPT opportunity and their program of study. The information you provide WILL be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Employment driven opportunities (e.g. networking, resume building, pay, etc.) should not be mentioned in the Learning Objective, the primary objective of CPT is for academic purposes.
Job Offer Letter
Students are required to upload an official offer letter from the company. Below is information that is REQUIRED in the offer letter.
- On Official Company Letterhead - The letter must be on a company letter head, meaning Company Logo, etc.
- Student's Full Name (First and Last Name) - The letter will need to address to the student's official name.
- Job Title - The letter will need to list the student's job title for the CPT opportunity.
- Job Description - The letter will need to list the job description.
If the letter does not list the job description, the student can attach a separate document with the description, and upload both to the e-form. - Hours - The letter must list the exact number of hours (not "Full-Time" or "Part-Time".)
- Site Location - The letter must list the site address where the student will be working, in U.S. address format.
- Start & End Date - ISSS must see the start and end date of the CPT opportunity. It must be within the period for the CPT semester. For information on start and end dates, please refer to "CPT start and End Dates."
It is recommended to include the student's Supervisor Name and Contact Information in the offer letter.
CPT Employer Form
The form below may be used as an alternative to the offer letter. If it is a remote position, students are required to complete the CPT Employer Form.
Application Steps
Login to UAtlas
Complete the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) e-form.
Academic Advisor or also known as "Secondary Approver" reviews student application.
The academic advisor or program coordinator in your department will receive the application first and will review the information the student has entered. The advisor will approve it academically as either necessary and integral OR required for the program. Once approved, the advisor will submit the request to ISSS.
If the department does not approve of the request, they will inform an ISSS advisor.
A Designated School Official (DSO) from ISSS will review the completed application.
Once the DSO receives the completed application, they will process it within 10 business
days. DSO's will review the student's documents, course enrollment, and to determine
if they are eligible under F-1 federal regulations to participate in CPT. Once the
application is approved, the student will receive an email from ISSS.
Receiving the CPT I-20
Once the CPT is approved, the DSO will send the I-20 electronically through UAtlas.
Students will receive a second email with instructions on how to retrieve the I-20.
Students are advised to:
1.) Immediately print and sign the I-20 and
2.) Review the start and end dates of the authorized CPT
Apply for the Social Security Number (SSN) (If Applicable)
Once the student has received the CPT I-20 from ISSS and they do not have a Social
Security Number, they will need to complete the Social Security Number application
process.
How to apply for the social security number (SSN)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) - Frequently Asked Questions
The student must meet with an academic advisor to ensure they are enrolled in the appropriate course. As long as the student is enrolled in the course that the department has indicated in their response as part of the application will be considered. The course must be taught by faculty and receive credit.
No, the course cannot be an "Independent Study Course."
Volunteer opportunities will need to be further reviewed by ISSS to determine if CPT is necessary. We typically recommend if the opportunity has any relation to your major, then you should have CPT.
For more information, review the Volunteer Work & Unpaid Internship page.
No, you will be eligible for CPT after completing two consecutive semesters (enrolled full-time.) At the University of Utah, we consider two consecutive semesters as (Fall and Spring, Spring and Summer, or Summer and Fall).
If you started in Spring, you must be enrolled full-time in the Summer to be eligible for Fall CPT. This requirement does not apply if you do not plan on applying for CPT but want to take Summer as a Vacation Semester instead.
Students participating in a certificate program in addition to their degree seeking program may not use CPT to fulfill certificate program requirements. Students should consider finding on-campus opportunities to fulfill any certificate requirements.
Example: Students in the TESOL certificate program should consider reaching out to the English Language Institute to complete practicum hours as it is affiliated with the University of Utah and does not require CPT work authorization.
No. Once you can or have completed all degree requirements, you must do so and move on to the next phase of your F-1 status (apply for OPT, change degree levels, etc.) regardless of when your I-20 end date is. You may not continue taking courses that are not required to complete your program; to do so would negatively affect your F-1 status.
Students whose programs require them to do activities outside of campus for their program should have CPT authorization prior. Work with your academic advisor and ISSS to determine how to gather necessary information for your CPT application.
Students must submit the "Request Change to Current CPT" e-form in UAtlas to report the end date. Afterward students can work with their Academic Department to withdraw from the course.
ISSS recommends that you do not use your CPT to bridge into OPT employment. Bridging may result in issues with your Post-Completion OPT application, STEM OPT, or H1B in the future as USCIS may interpret it as misuse of CPT.
The location you perform the work does not matter for CPT since the recent allowance of remote work on CPT. If you are involved with any project, internship, or practicum opportunity with a company including those outside the United States you need CPT authorization while physically located in the United States.
If you will be conducting your internships outside the U.S. you do not need U.S. work authorization (CPT or OPT). That being said, ISSS recommends that your employment offer letter and/or additional employer email(s) should mention that you will be working remotely from outside the U.S. You should save this information for your immigration records, so that if you are ever asked questions regarding this internship, you can explain the situation and provide documentation.
If at any point, though, during your internship you decide to return to the U.S. and continue working while you are physically in the U.S., you must obtain a valid U.S. work authorizationin advance. Also, make sure to obtain a proper employment authorization in the country where you are planning to work, if it’s not your home country.