CPT
Curricular Practical Training听
91影视 2025-2026 CPT Deadlines
- Spring 2026:
1/26/2026 鈥 5/15/2026 鈥 CPT Application Deadlines: Jan 12(Mon), 2026
- Summer 2026:
5/18/2026 鈥 08/21/2026 鈥 CPT Application Deadlines: May 4(Mon), 2026
- Fall 2026:
8/24/2026 鈥 12/11/2026 鈥 CPT Application Deadlines: Aug 10(Mon), 2026
CPT Overview
What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) was established by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enhance a student鈥檚 classroom instruction with practical experience. The employment experience must be directly related to the student鈥檚 field of study. CPT must be an integral part of an established curriculum. Thus, an F-1 student needs to be authorized by the university to participate in CPT program. CPT is defined to be alternative works/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other types of required internship or practicum at an off-campus worksite that are offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.
CPT Eligibility
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is available for all degree programs at 91影视.听 The CPT experience must be related to your course of study and an integral to the program鈥檚 curriculum.
To be eligible for CPT, students must satisfy the following requirements:
- F-1 Status for one academic year. An F-1 student can request CPT if the employment begins after one academic year (2 semesters = 30 weeks).
Undergraduates (Bachelor) students must complete one full academic year at 91影视 in F-1 status to be eligible.Graduates (Master / Doctorate) must complete one full academic year in F-1 status at any SEVP-approved school to be eligible.
English (ESL) students are not eligible.听
- Be in good standing. F-1 students who are legally maintaining their status and in good standing with 91影视 for grades, attendance, and financial obligations can apply.
Those students on academic or attendance probation cannot apply for CPT until they have one semester in 鈥済ood standing鈥.听
A pattern of absences for any course during the CPT semester may result in the cancellation of any existing CPT and loss of future CPT eligibility.
Students must pay the registration fee(s) and first tuition payment to receive their CPT I-20.Undergraduates (Bachelor) students must have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA and good attendance when applying.
Graduates (Master / Doctorate) students must have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA and good attendance when applying.
Maintain a full-course load in the Fall and Spring semesters. Be sure to register for a full-course load not including the CPT course. If you are required to take any pre-requisite courses, these must also be taken above your minimums.In the Summer and Winter sessions, students are not required to take any courses (except the CPT one).
If you are doing a Reduced Course Load (RCL) for final semester, then at least one of your non-CPT courses must be on campus.Eligibility during an RCL. If you request a Reduced Courseload (RCL) for final semester, you can also do a CPT in addition to your required course(s).听 This can be part-time or full-time and at least one required course for graduation must be on campus.听
Students are not eligible for CPT if taking an RCL for medical reasons.
91影视's CPT Policy
- Eligibility: See above.
- Due Date: Students must apply for the CPT at least 2 weeks before the semester begins.听 See CPT webpage for deadlines. The completed application requires signatures from your employer and a job offer letter.
- CPT Frequency. Students can apply for CPT up to 4 times during their programs. If a student completes 12 months or more full-time CPT, then they are not eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
- Receive I-20 to begin working: Do not start working unless you have your CPT I-20. CPT must be approved and authorized on the I-20 prior to the employment start date. Look for your I-20 in your 91影视 email account.听 If you have concerns, contact your DSO.
- Full-time study requirement: Students must be registered in classes full-time during the fall and spring semesters to participate in CPT. If you are required to take any pre-requisite courses, these must also be taken above your minimums.
CPT credit cannot be the only credit(s) you receive for a semester.
Therefore, CPT cannot be used to extend your program end date on your I-20. Note: I-20 end dates are never in the summer or winter sessions. - Employment time: In the summer session, CPT can be part-time or full-time. During the fall and spring semesters, employment must be part-time.听 Exception: Full-time CPT can be done in your last semester.
Part-time = 20 hours or less per week
Full-time = more than 20 hours per week
- Employment length: CPT is approved for one semester at a time, not to exceed the program end date. Your employment dates must begin no earlier than the semester class start date and end no later than the last day of classes. See Academic Calendar.
Even if your employment date is later than the start of the semester, your application must still be submitted 2 weeks or more before the semester starts.
- Employment type: CPT work is typically for an in-person job in 91影视 DC, Maryland, or Virginia (DMV) area.
Remote work can be authorized with stipulations.听 There must be a signed agreement in place about how the student will be supervised Working for yourself or your own company is not permissible.听 You must be an employee of a company with someone supervising your work.CPT is for one employer and cannot be changed during the semester / session.听 No refunds are given if your employment is ended before the CPT end date.听
- Paid / Unpaid work. Many students find employment that is paid.听 However, if your CPT internship is unpaid, then that must be clearly stated in the job offer letter.听 Also, you must submit a required letter from your employer at the end of your CPT verifying that you did not receive any compensation for your work.
- CPT Course Completion. All CPT reports, evaluations, and any verifications must be submitted to receive credit (鈥淐R鈥) for your CPT course. Failure to meet requirements will result in not getting credit for your course and not being eligible for another CPT authorization.
- Full-time CPT affects post-OPT: Following USCIS rules, accumulating 12 months or more of full-time CPT will eliminate eligibility for post completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) at the same educational level.
Part-time CPT does not affect OPT eligibility.
CPT Request Process
- Apply on time. The deadlines are on 91影视鈥檚 CPT webpage.
- Submit a completed application. A completed, signed application must be submitted on time along with a job offer letter related to your degree.
Job Letter Requirements
The job offer letter must be on company letterhead, signed, dated, and addressed to the student with the following:- Job title / position
- Job duties / goals that show how the experience relates to the major and selected CPT course.
- Full company name and address. For remote work, the company鈥檚 physical address is still needed.
- Exact start & end dates of employment (which cannot be earlier or later than the semester dates).
- Number of hours per week. Part-time= 20 or fewer hours/week. Full-time = over 20 hours/week.
- Pay the CPT request fee.听The fee amount is on the request form and will appear in My91影视 invoices. Pay through the My91影视 system or in the office to get the request process started.
- Pay the registration fee(s).听The registration fee for Fall and Spring semesters is $100 each. The registration fee for the Summer and Winter sessions is $50 each. 听If you register for Summer CPT, both summer and fall registration fees must be paid. 听If you register for Winter CPT, both winter and spring registration fees must be paid.
- Check your enrollment in a CPT course. The Registrar will enroll you in a CPT course. This course is related to your work duties and any previous coursework. Note: The tuition for this course will be added to your payment plan agreement total.
- Pay the tuition payment. You are also responsible for making your first tuition payment in order to get your CPT I-20.听 Check your course list to see when your CPT course is added.听 You may need to make your first tuition payment early so that you can get your CPT I-20. If you have already made a payment (ex. Plan 1), your CPT course will be added and your payment plan will be adjusted accordingly for future payments.听 If you are only enrolled in a CPT course for the summer/winter, you are responsible to pay the entire tuition payment.
- Get a CPT I-20. When your request is approved, you will get a CPT I-20 from your DSO.听 Do NOT start working until you have that I-20.
- Social Security Number (SSN). If you have not yet gotten an SSN and card, you must apply to the Social Security Administration (SSA) with your CPT I-20 and other documents.听 Contact your DSO for more information.T听