Curricular Practical Training

Updated September 4, 2026

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is employment authorization available to eligible F-1 students when practical training is an integral and required part of the student's established curriculum.

CPT may include an internship, practicum, cooperative education or another required practical training experience offered by a sponsoring employer in cooperation with CMU.

CPT is not a general employment benefit and cannot be used simply because an internship would be helpful, provide professional experience or earn academic credit.

CPT eligibility

To be eligible for CPT, you must:

  • Have completed one academic year as a full-time student, unless your graduate program requires immediate participation in practical training.
  • Be enrolled in an established curriculum in which an internship, practicum or other practical training experience is required for completion of the curriculum.
  • Have a specific job, internship or training offer that is directly related to your major area of study.
  • Receive CPT authorization from ISSS before beginning any employment or training.
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  • If the practical training experience is optional or offered as an elective, CPT cannot be authorized.
  • If you plan to continue CPT into another semester or change employers, you must receive new CPT authorization before beginning the new period of employment.

What does “required by my curriculum” mean?

For CPT purposes, practical training must be an essential part of completing your established program.

This means:

  • Your academic program requires students to complete practical training.
  • Students cannot complete that program without satisfying the practical training requirement.
  • The practical training is directly related to your major area of study.

Part-time vs. full-time CPT

During the fall and spring semesters, students must continue to meet all applicable F-1 enrollment requirements.

  • Part-time CPT: 20 hours or fewer per week. 
  • Full-time CPT: More than 20 hours per week. (Summer semester only)

Students who accumulate 12 months or more of full-time CPT become ineligible for OPT at the same educational level.

Part-time CPT does not reduce OPT eligibility.

How to apply for CPT

You MUST NOT begin working, training, onboarding or performing services for an employer until:

  1. ISSS has approved your CPT;
  2. you have received your CPT-authorized Form I-20; and
  3. the CPT start date listed on your Form I-20 has been reached.

CPT cannot be backdated.

Please apply early enough to allow ISSS and your academic department to verify your eligibility.

You may ask your academic advisor or department:

“Does my established curriculum require all students to complete an internship, practicum or other practical training experience in order to complete the curriculum?”

If the answer is no, the experience is not eligible for CPT.

Internships offered as an elective are not eligible for CPT unless required for program completion.

You must have a specific practical training opportunity before CPT can be authorized.

The employer must be able to provide a legitimate practical training experience connected to the required component of your curriculum.

You must obtain an offer letter or training document that includes:

  1. Employer name and official letterhead.
  2. Your name.
  3. Job or internship title.
  4. Description of your duties, training activities and learning objectives.
  5. Physical address where the training will occur.
    • If the position is remote, the letter must identify the remote arrangement and provide the employer's physical address.
  6. Number of hours per week.
  7. Requested CPT start and end dates.

Log in to the ISSS Portal and select:

Requests > CPT Request

Complete all required questions and upload your supporting documentation.

Submitting a CPT request does not authorize employment. Your Approver (academic advisor/department chair) and ISSS must review the request and determine that the proposed training satisfies federal CPT requirements.

ISSS may request additional documentation from you, your academic department or the sponsoring employer before making a determination.

If your CPT request is approved, ISSS will notify you that an updated Form I-20 is available in the ISSS Portal.

Download and sign your Form I-20 and review the CPT authorization listed on page 2.

You may begin employment only after the authorized CPT start date has arrived.

Your Form I-20 serves as evidence of CPT employment authorization for the specific employer and dates listed on the form.

After CPT approval

Once CPT is approved:

  • Work only for the employer listed on your Form I-20.
  • Do not begin before the authorized start date.
  • Stop working by the CPT end date.
  • Contact ISSS before changing employers, employment locations or other material conditions of the training.
  • Contact ISSS if the practical training ends earlier than expected.
  • Maintain enrollment in and complete the curricular requirement supporting your CPT authorization.
  • Contact ISSS immediately if you withdraw from or change the curriculum/course connected to your CPT.

CPT authorization is based on the determination that your practical training is an integral and required component of your established curriculum. A change to your academic program or training requirement may therefore affect your authorization.

CPT in your final semester

CPT may be authorized during your final semester only when the practical training continues to meet all CPT eligibility requirements, including being an integral and required component of your established curriculum.

CPT cannot be used simply to begin working before OPT starts or while an OPT application is pending.

If you are completing your program during a semester in which you are requesting CPT, consult with ISSS before beginning the CPT application process.