Immigration : F1 : Curricular Practical Training

Curricular Practical Training

For CPT experiences beginning in August 2009, ISPS has streamlined its CPT policies in order to clarify immigration regulations and facilitate the application process for both students and UA departments.

Students must meet with an ISPS advisor prior to applying for CPT.

[Definition of Curricular Practical Training]
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of authorization that allows an F-1 student to accept a paid or unpaid work experience or internship in the student's major field of study. CPT is limited to practical training opportunities that are fulfilling a curricular academic objective. To be considered for CPT, the opportunity must not only be related to the student's major field of study but also must be either required or an integral part of the academic program. U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) prohibits the authorization of CPT issued for the primary purpose of facilitating employment. CPT cannot be utilized for a work experience or internship that is solely beneficial for career development.

[Part-Time vs. Full-Time CPT]
Part-Time CPT: Most students are eligible for part-time CPT or employment for 20 hours or less per week.

Full-Time CPT: Students may be eligible for full-time CPT or employment for more than 20 hours per week.

Undergraduate and graduate students with coursework remaining can only participate in full-time CPT during official university breaks (summer, spring and winter breaks). Doctoral students may be eligible to do full-time CPT during the regular semester if all coursework, including seminars, is completed. If applying for full-time CPT during the fall or spring terms, Doctoral students should submit a Graduate Coursework Completion Form.

Note 1: The third page of your I-20 will specify permission to engage in part-time or full-time CPT.

Note 2: You must be careful to limit your employment to the place, dates and hours that have been authorized on the third page of your I-20.

Note 3: If you participate in twelve months or more of full-time CPT, you will not be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

[Conditions]
Your academic advisor must confirm on the CPT Recommendation Form which of the following conditions applies to your CPT experience:

Condition #1
CPT satisfies a requirement expected of ALL students in this program or curricular track in order to graduate. A copy of the requirement as published in the general catalog must be submitted with the application. The student must enroll in the required course units which may count towards full-time enrollment.

Condition #2
(Doctoral students only) CPT is required for collecting data or conducting research for their dissertation. The academic advisor must explain in detail why the data must be collected off-campus and the approximate length of time needed for data collection. Students in the final year of their program may need to submit additional information regarding remaining program requirements. Students must register for 900-level research or dissertation units, which may count towards full-time enrollment.

Condition #3
Use of this condition is limited to one CPT per degree level, not to exceed one semester/term (fall/spring/summer). The CPT may not unduly delay program completion:

• CPT is an integral part of an established curriculum and will be used to satisfy an internship or practicum elective which counts toward completion of the degree. The elective units must be included in the SAPR for undergraduate students. Graduate students must submit a copy of their degree plan and program description which includes these units. Student must register for the internship or practicum units in their major department, which may count towards full-time enrollment.
• CPT is part of a formal, structured cooperative agreement between The University of Arizona and the employer. Student will need to submit a copy of the cooperative agreement as well as written explanation as to how it is monitored by The University of Arizona. Student must register for the internship or practicum units in their major department, which may count towards full-time enrollment.
• A Master's student that needs to collect data for thesis or Master's project. Student must register in 900-level thesis units, which may count towards full-time enrollment. 

[Student Eligibility]

• Must be enrolled full-time for one academic year prior to participating in CPT
• Meet minimum GPA requirements: Graduate students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. Undergraduate students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.
• Must be enrolled full-time while participating in CPT (except during official university breaks)
• Must register for practicum or internship course in degree program for term the CPT is authorized. (If your department doesn ot offer a specific internship or practicum course, you will not qualify for CPT, but you might qualify for Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information on OPT, please see the OPT Packet on our website.)
• Students enrolled in English language training programs are not eligible for CPT
• CPT may not unduly delay your program completion date

Note 1: Students wishing to have additional CPT must reapply every semester. The length of time cannot exceed the semester dates with the exception of fall semester. For example, for a fall semester CPT, if you are not graduating in December, you may do CPT until the day before spring classes begin. CPT authorized during the summer may run from the day after the spring semester ends until the day before the fall semester begins.

Note 2: Regulations require that students make normal progress towards degree completion. Students who receive a program extension or an incomplete in a course may not be eligible for CPT.

Note 3: Non-required CPT will not be allowed in a student's final term.

Note 4: Students must enroll in the appropriate units for CPT experiences during summer sessions. Student will enroll for the session during which their CPT experience begins.