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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

What is Curricular Practical Training?

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is available to F-1 students where the practical training is related to the student's field of study and is an integral part of an established curriculum. While the immigration regulations lay out the basic criteria for OPT, eligibility and employment options for CPT differ from school to school.

Who is eligible for Curricular Practical Training?

According to immigration regulations, to qualify for CPT the employment must be either;

1. Employment that is required by the degree program CPT is available where the employment is a required part of the degree program for all students, regardless of whether academic credit is awarded. The requirement must be formally documented.
2. Employment that is required by a course for academic credit CPT is available where the employment is required by a specific course for academic credit. The requirement must be formally documented in the course catalog. The course must be taken for academic credit during the same term that the employment takes place.

To be eligible for CPT, you must meet the following criteria:

1. You must have completed one academic year of full-time study in valid F-1 student status. Graduate students may be eligible for CPT before completing one academic year if the degree program requires immediate participation in an internship.
2. You must have an offer of employment for work that qualifies for CPT.
3. You must be able to demonstrate through formal documentation that the employment is required for the degree program or a specific course. If the employment is required for a course, you must document that you will receive academic credit.

Applying for Curricular Practical Training:

To apply for CPT, you must receive authorization from the Office of Visa and Immigration Services. OVIS will review your request and evaluate your eligibility for CPT. If you meet all the eligibility requirements the CPT request will be approved and you will be issued a new Form I-20 with the CPT endorsement. This will allow you to begin the CPT employment.

Please be aware that you must not continue employment beyond the date authorized on the Form I-20 unless you request and are granted an extension of permission to work. Employment after the expiration date of your CPT is unauthorized employment and a violation of immigration status.

To submit your CPT request, please complete the online CPT request form

The bottom portion of the form must be completed and signed by your academic advisor or professor. Please return the form to the Office of Visa and Immigration Services along with the following:

1. Copy of employment offer letter;
2. Letter from your academic advisor or professor that includes:
   • an explanation of the relationship between the employment and the degree program or course;
   • for employment required by a specific course, verification that the course will be taken for academic credit during the same term you are participating in the CPT employment and confirmation that academic credit will be awarded for completion of the employment;
3. Formal documentation in Dartmouth publications that the employment is required for the degree program for the specific course.

Please allow sufficient time for review and processing of your CPT request. We recommend submitting your request at least one to two weeks prior to the begin date of your internship to allow for CPT processing.

CPT Employment Duration and Compensation

Students may engage in part-time CPT (20 hours or less per week) during the academic term or full-time CPT during a vacation term. Please be a aware though, that if you work for 12 months or more in full-time CPT you will no longer be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.

There is no restriction on compensation during CPT.