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.
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) |
student eligibility requirements
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.
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 in F-1 status before applying for CPT.
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 not count towards CPT eligiblity. 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.
International Direct (ID) students will be eligible for CPT but must complete ONE academic year (two consecutive full-time semesters) at the University of Utah .
Students transferring their SEVIS record may qualify for immediate CPT if they met the full academic year requirement at the previous institution. Students must provide transcripts from the previous institution to ISSS to determine eligibility.
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.
cpt requirements
Students must meet all of the following requirements before applying for CPT.
The CPT opportunity MUST be directly related to a student's declared major/program of study.
Students must be in lawful status for ONE academic year (two consecutive full-time semesters) and have an 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.
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 be enrolled in an internship course when submitting their application to ISSS 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 will only be authorized for ONE semester at a time. The start and end date must be listed in the offer letter. If 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 2023* | Spring 2024* | Summer 2024* | Fall 2024 | |
| Earliest CPT Start Date |
August 21 (First Day of Classes) |
January 8 (First Day of Classes) |
May 13 (First Day of Classes) |
August 19 (First Day of Classes) |
| Latest CPT End Date for Continuing Students | December 15 (Last Day of Final Exams) |
May 03 (University Commencement) |
August 18 (Authorized Through the Break) |
December 13 (Last Day of Final Exams) |
| Latest CPT End Date for Students in their Final Semester | December 15
(Last Day of Final Exams) |
May 03
(University Commencement) |
August 02
(Last Day of Final Exams) |
December 13 (Last Day of Final Exams) |
Students are required to provide a strong, detailed learning objective 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.) shouldn not be mentioned in the Learning Objective, the primary objective of CPT is for Academic Purposes.
Students interested in a Full-Time CPT must first review the "Part-Time or Full-Time" policy below.
Students are required to upload an official offer letter from the company. Below are 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 above under "CPT start and End Dates."
It is recommended to include the student's Supervisor Name and Contact Information in the offer letter.
The form below may be used as an alternative to the offer letter.
policies
Graduate students will only be eligible to do CPT in their first or second semester of the program, ONLY 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.
Students are permitted to do remote-work but will be required to complete the CPT Employer form.
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 ISSS receives the department advisor's application, not when the student submits their application. It is the student's responsibility to ensure they meet the completed submission deadline.
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 will only be authorized for one semester at a time. Students may not work before or after the authorized start date as listed on the I-20. If a student needs to work into the next semester, they will need to submit a new CPT application.
A withdrawal (W) or un-authorized withdrawal (EU) from a previous CPT course will require further review from the DSO after the application is submitted.
If summer is your final semester, it cannot be considered a vacation semester. Fall/Spring restrictions will apply.
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.
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 eligiblity.
Please note that students must also have a course that requires on-campus physical presence in their final semester.
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.
Cumulative 3.0 GPA for undergraduate or 3.5 GPA for graduates, in the most recently reported semester prior to applying for Full-Time CPT.
CPT cannot be authorized past your program end date (I-20) which will either align with the last day of finals or for graduate students, thesis defense dates if the student selects it as the program end-date.
Students returning from a period of OPT or participating in a new degree program must be enrolled full-time for TWO consecutive semesters of full-time study before being eligible for CPT.
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.
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.
- If students are planning to use of this course for the CPT opportunity must first speak with the BUS 5880 advisor before submitting the CPT request.
- Registration in the Business Student Internship Program (BSIP) will occur automatically by the School of Business once the DSO approves the CPT application and will include the advisor in the approval email.
- If students are planning ot use this course for the CPT opportunity must first speak with the CSIP advisor before submitting the CPT request.
- Career coaches will work with the student in completing their processes through Handshake Experiences.
- Once approved by the DSO, the advisor will be included in the approval email. Afterwards, Career Services will be in touch with the student, internship supervisor, and the career coach to help finish registering for the course.
CPT may only be authorized for either part-time or full-time, providing a student meets all eligiblity requirements.
- 1-20 hours per week (not an average)
- Students authorized for 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.
- 21-40 hours per week (not an average)
- GPA requirements:
- Cumulative 3.0 GPA for Undergraduate Students
- Cumulative 3.5 GPA for Graduate Students
- Cumulatvie 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 who 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 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. This is a federal regulation so ISSS/DSOs will not be able to make any exceptions to this rule.
Application Process
If a student is offered an internship or off-campus position that requires CPT authorization from ISSS, first 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 |
| Fall 2023 |
June 26, 2023 - September 22, 2023 |
| Spring 2024 | November 20, 2023 - February 9, 2024 |
| Summer 2024 | March 25, 2024 - June 14, 2024 |
| Fall 2024 | June 24, 2024 - September 20, 2024 |
Application Steps
- Login to UAtlas and go to "Employment/Practical Training"
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 up to 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.) Immedietely 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.
First, the student must complete the SS-5 application online.
SS-5 ONLINE APPLICATION
- Schedule an Appointment with the Social Security Administration Office
Students will need to schedule an appointment with the SSA Office. Students can check for the nearest SSA office by clicking on the button below:
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE LOCATOR
- Collect all required documents
The X equals document is requiredCPT Employment Passport (along with old passport if it contains your F-1 visa) x I-94 x CPT I-20 x Confirmation Page - From the online application, a screen shot or the reference number for your application. x
- Present all needed documents to the Social Security Administration (SSA) in order to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN)
- Work with your employer with next steps after receiving your Social Security Number.
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."
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 must submit the "Request Change to Current CPT" e-form in UAtlas to report the end date. Afterwards 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.