Curricular Practical Training

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of off-campus work permission for F-1 international students who want to gain experience in their fields of study.

To obtain CPT, a student must:

•be in valid F-1 status for at least two semesters (except students who must work as a requirement for their degree)
•secure a job offer related to the student's field of study
•obtain CPT authorization BEFORE beginning employment; authorization cannot be post-dated. Remember, it takes three business days to authorize your CPT.
•be registered for classes at Washington Baptist University; CPT cannot be used when a graduate student is in "filing fee status."

Advisors at Washington Baptist University International Students Office grant permission for CPT after establishing the student's eligibility and reviewing the application materials. The authorization is granted by issuing a new I-20 for the student with the employer's information notated on page three of the document.
It takes approximately three business days to issue the updated I-20. The I-20
can be used to show the employer evidence of work authorization.

There is no limit to the amount of CPT a student is eligible for. However, if 12 months or more of full-time CPT is used, a student forfeits Optional Practical Training eligibility. Accrual of part-time CPT does not affect eligibility for OPT.

CPT is not available after a student completes a degree program.

Types of CPT

Students are eligible for CPT under one of the following two categories:

1) Degree Requirement

CPT may be authorized when an internship is a requirement of a degree program (i.e. all students in the program must complete an internship to obtain the degree).

Authorization can be for full-time or part-time employment, depending on the academic department's requirement. Follow the application procedures on the reverse of this page to request CPT based on Degree Requirement.

2) Course Credit

CPT may be authorized for students who enroll in a course that requires employment to earn a grade, or a course where students design their own research project based on the employment. Enrollment in the course must be concurrent with the employment. Current eligible courses include:

Authorization will be granted on a semester-only basis. However, if a student wishes to work for a period longer than the last day of the semester, he must enroll in the next available semester before authorization can be extended beyond the current term (see Application Process, below)

Fall and Spring CPT

Employment is limited to part-time (20 hrs/week or less) during the Fall and Spring semesters. However, Graduate students who have advanced to candidacy are eligible for full-time employment during the semester as long as the employment is integral to their degree program and is stated as such in the letter of support from the academic department.

Summer CPT

Full-time (20 hours or more per week) employment is allowed for all continuing students in the summer. If summer is the first or final semester of a student’s degree program, CPT is limited to 20 hours per week. To be eligible, students must enroll in one of the current or next available Summer Sessions in one of the courses listed above. Authorizaion can be granted up to the last day of the summer (before classes begin). Some students may need to obtain a course code from their academic advisor to be able to add Independent Study units into their Summer enrollment.

CPT Application Process

1.Complete the CPT Application Form.
2.Enroll in the appropriate course as listed above, if you will receive course credit for      CPT.
3.Submit the Academic Department Recommendation form
  (attached to CPT Application Form) to your academic adviser for completion.
  (Undergraduates= Department Adviser / Graduates = Faculty Advisor). Make sure       the form is signed and dated.
4.Submit the above items along with proof of course enrollment (only if you will receive    course credit) to the International Students Office.
5.Pick up your new I-20 at the International Students Office three business days after    submitting your application.

CPT Extensions

To extend CPT beyond the current semester, complete steps 1-5 above again. An extension of CPT authorization cannot be granted until proof of enrollment is presented. Students who are working in the fall term and wish to extend through winter break into the spring term should consult with an Advisor.