What is CPT?

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an internship, practicum or other type of temporary employment that is directly related to your field of study and that is an integral part of an established curriculum still in progress. CPT is a benefit of the F-1 visa that allows you to obtain valuable practical experience to bridge your coursework with real world application.

Examples of opportunities requiring CPT: paid or unpaid internship, co-operative education experience, practicum, or employment directly tied to your program through research or enrollment in a credit-bearing course

All off-campus work opportunities require CPT authorization. If you are not sure if you need CPT or not, speak to an ISSS advisor. 

Part-Time & Full-Time CPT

Part-time CPT: 20 hours per week or less

Full-time CPT: 21 hours per week or more

 

Eligibility

To be eligible for CPT you must:

  • Be in active F-1 status
  • Have completed one year (two semesters) of full-time study in the US
  • Have obtained an offer for job/internship
    • Must be related to your major (cannot be based on minor); for research students (MS thesis/Phd) the opportunity must be related to your research specifically.
    • Dates of the internship must fall within the semester dates.
    • You cannot accept “contractor” positions on CPT
  • Have a job/internship offer letter on company letterhead containing the following:
    • Company/organization name
    • Start and end date (must be within semester dates)
    • Number of hours per week
    • Position title and description
    • Site address
    • Supervisor name and contact (phone/email)
    • Employer signature

    Applying for CPT

    International students applying for CPT must enroll in a relevant course to qualify. The course you must register in and the CPT process depends on your academic level and department:

    Bachelor’s (BS)

    • Course: Varies by academic department (listed below).
    • Speak with your academic advisor to ensure you can enroll in the course, then complete the registration requirements. When you are registered in the course, complete the CPT request in the International Student Portal.
    • ISSS CPT Form Approver: For co-op, the professor teaching the course. For all others: academic advisor.

    Master’s Thesis & Doctorate (MS & PhD): 707 Research Credits

    • Course: 707 Research Credits
    • Your academic advisor will need to agree to meet with you regularly to discuss the work and ensure you are making progress toward the learning goals of the internship. When your advisor has indicated they will approve, complete the CPT request in the International Student Portal.
    • ISSS CPT Form Approver: Academic advisor

    Master’s Non-Thesis (MSNT)

    • Course: SYGN598I Graduate Internship
    • You will need a faculty member in your department to teach the course. The faculty will serve as the liaison with your work supervisor and meet with you to ensure you are meeting the learning goals of the internship. Your academic advisor will confirm the internship is directly related to your major. When the faculty and your advisor agree, complete the Office of Graduate Studies form SYGN598I Graduate Internship Course. After the SYGN598I form is submitted, you may complete the CPT request in the International Student Portal.
    • ISSS CPT Form Approver: ISSS advisor

     

    When can I start working on CPT?

    You may only begin working when your application is approved by ISSS and you receive a new I-20 with CPT authorization on page 2. You may only work for the specific employer and for the specific dates listed on the form. If there is an error in the employer name or dates, let ISSS know right away.

    Undergraduate CPT Course by Department
    • Applied Mathematics: Independent Study
    • Chemical & Biological Engineering: Independent Study
    • Chemistry: Independent Study
    • Civil & Environmental Engineering: To Be Determined
    • Computer Science: Independent Study
    • Economics & Business: Independent Study
    • Geology & Geological Engineering: Special Topics
    • Geophysics: Independent Study
    • Mechanical Engineering: To Be Determined
    • Metallurgical & Materials Engineering: To Be Determined
    • Mining Engineering: To Be Determined
    • Petroleum Engineering: Independent Study
    • Physics: Independent Study
    • Electrical Engineering & Quantitative Biosciences & Engineering: no course available at this time
    Guidance for Faculty & Staff
    Who can serve as the “approver” for an international CPT form?

    The approver is typically the academic advisor. In certain situations (such as for co-op experiences) a faculty member teaching the relevant course can be the approver.

    What should a student do before I agree to serve as the CPT approver?

    The student should discuss the requirements to enroll in the relevant course depending on their degree level/type, develop their learning goals, and provide you with a training offer letter to review.

    What does the CPT form ask from an approver?

    The ISSS CPT form asks an “approver” to confirm that the student’s work experience is tied to academic credit at Mines through pre-approved co-op, internship, research credits, or similar. If the student is enrolled in the appropriate course and the experience is directly related to their academic major (cannot be based on minor), then you can safely confirm the student is eligible for CPT.

    Note: Students in research programs (MS thesis and PhD) must find opportunities directly related to their research in order to qualify for CPT, not just related to their field.

    What are my responsibilities to the CPT student?

    For BS and MSNT students, the faculty teaching the relevant course is required to ensure the student is meeting the learning goals of the internship and earning credit according to their course expectations.

    For MS thesis and PhD students, the academic advisor should meet with the student regularly to ensure the student is meeting the learning goals of the internship as it relates to their research.