Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Resources

The guide below is meant to help F-1 international students understand CPT and the application process. We know that everyone learns differently and that these regulations can seem complex to navigate. That's why we've created a few helpful guides to support you as you think about CPT and move through the application process. As always, don't hesitate to ask the ISO! For further questions, email the ISO at isogwu [dot] edu (iso[at]gwu[dot]edu) or make an appointment with your dedicated ISO advisor.

 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Guide

How to Apply:

The application process for CPT is a multi-step process that involves you, your academic department, the ISO, and your employer.

• Step 1: Understand CPT.
• Step 2: Confirm your eligibility.
• Step 3: Obtain an Employment Offer
• Step 4: Enroll in a CPT Course
• Step 5: Apply for CPT on ISOGateway
• Step 6: Fulfill Your Responsibilities While on CPT

  Step 1: Understand CPT

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows F-1 students to engage in off-campus employment, internships, externships, practicum, or co-ops directly related to your major field of study before graduation. Activities carried out on CPT must be an integral part of your curriculum and provide practical experience in your field of study while you are still maintaining your full-time enrollment.

A good general principle for understanding CPT is to approach it primarily from the curricular perspective, and only secondarily from the employment perspective. 

  Step 2: Confirm your Eligibility

There are specific requirements you must meet to be approved for CPT. Once authorized, CPT an only be used for certain types of activities, and the number of hours you may work will vary depending on the semester. See below for more information on these topics:

What Makes You Eligible for CPT?

• You must have been enrolled consecutively, as a full-time student for the equivalent of one academic year (2 semesters, not counting the summer term).
  • Please note that transfer students are eligible for CPT after completing one semester at GW.
• You must be in valid F-1 status.
• You must have already received an eligible offer for training (a job/internship/externship/co-op/practicum etc. offer)
• You must continue to be enrolled for a full course of study, making normal progress toward degree completion, and be in good academic standing during CPT.
• During your authorized CPT period, you must be enrolled in a corresponding CPT course. (Please see step 4 for the list of courses)

What Makes an Offer Eligible for CPT?

In order for an opportunity to be eligible for CPT, it must be:

• An integral part of an established curriculum
• Directly related to your major area of study

Independent Contractors: you may work as an independent contractor as long as you maintain a bonafide employer-employee relationship with your employer.

Hour Limits for CPT

CPT is typically done on a part-time basis (up to 20 hrs/wk) during fall and spring semesters and on a full-time basis during summer semesters, as long as summer is not your first, final or a required semester. If your degree requires a full-time internship during academic periods, please speak with your ISO Advisor.

 

You may be eligible for both CPT and on-campus employment simultaneously. However, during academic semesters (fall, spring, and summer if it is a required term for your program), you can work a maximum of 20 hours per week in total, combining both on-campus and off-campus employment or practical training. 

Important CPT Rules

• If you engage in twelve or more months of full-time CPT at your current program level, you will not be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) when you complete your studies. Part-time CPT will not affect your OPT eligibility.
• CPT is authorized on a semester-by-semester basis, and therefore you need to apply for CPT authorization each semester.
• You must limit your training to the specified location and position authorized on your I-20.
• If your degree requires a mandatory internship/practicum/externship/co-op, you may be eligible for full-time CPT
• If you would like to continue CPT beyond the semester you are approved for, plan ahead and submit another CPT application to the ISO two weeks before the end date of your current CPT. You are only authorized to work at the employer listed on your I-20 and during the dates specified. Any work that takes place before or after the dates listed on your I-20 for CPT is considered unauthorized employment and is a violation of your F-1 status. 
• Please note that the ISO cannot authorize CPT over the winter break. CPT must be tied to a corresponding course and classes are not in session over the winter break. 

If Your Degree Requires a Mandatory Internship/Practicum/Externship/Co-op

• You may be eligible for full-time CPT during fall and spring semester
• If required, ISO may also authorize extended CPT dates beyond the semester start/end dates

CPT for Thesis or Dissertation

If your internship is essential for your graduate thesis or dissertation and the experience or data collected will directly contribute to your research, you can submit an additional letter from your department requesting CPT approval for your thesis or dissertation. However, if the internship experience or data won't be directly and clearly used in your thesis or dissertation, you should either enroll in an appropriate internship course and seek CPT authorization through that course, or apply for Post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). If you have questions about what is the most appropriate course of action for your specific situation, please reach out to your ISO Advisor.

  Step 3: Obtain an Employment Offer

You must have an official offer letter on the employer's letterhead in order to apply for CPT.  Remember that any offer of employment must be an integral part of your established curriculum and directly related to your major area of study.

  Step 4: Enroll in a CPT Course

Since CPT is, first and foremost, curricular, you are required to enroll in the correct CPT course given your specific school/level/program unless CPT is required by your program. If CPT is required by your program, then it is automatically curricular in nature, and you do not need to enroll in a CPT course. Find your course below:

  Step 5: Apply for CPT on ISOGateway

Once you have an offer of employment, you may submit your CPT request to the ISO. Remember that CPT is approved on a semester-to-semester basis. A new request with updated documents will need to be submitted before each semester for which you are applying for CPT. 

Prepare Documentation

In order to apply for CPT on ISOGateway, you will need the following: 

• A personal statement letter from you describing the type of training you would like to do and how the proposed training is directly related to your major field of study.
  •  Please make sure to sign and date this letter. Digital signatures are accepted.
• An offer letter from the employer. This offer letter must be on letterhead and must clearly indicate:
  • The name and address of the entity issuing the paycheck, if there is one
  • Note: If the location involves a second entity, that entity should be identified
  • The address where training will take place
    • Remote Work: Please note that you may only work remotely from within the U.S. for a U.S.-based employer. Please make sure to include your remote address on your offer letter, specifically listed as the address where work will be taking place.
  • The title of your position and detailed description of your duties
  • The number of hours you will be working per week 
    • Clearly indicate part-time (20 hours or less) vs. full-time CPT (more than 20 hours)
  • The exact dates when your employment is expected to begin and end (please follow GW's academic calendar to choose your start and end dates)
  • Make sure your employer has signed and dated this letter (digital signatures are accepted)
• A letter (on GW letterhead) from your academic advisor/academic department containing the following information:
  • An indication that they have reviewed your personal statement letter and employment offer letter
  • A brief description of your degree program and how the proposed training is directly related to your academic program (major)
  • Explanation of how the proposed training is an integral part of your curriculum of study 
  • Estimated date of program completion
  • Indication that you are making normal progress toward degree completion and that the proposed training will not interfere with continued satisfactory progress by the graduation date indicated on your I-20
  • *Please make sure your academic advisor has signed and dated this letter (digital signatures are accepted)
• Proof of registration in the appropriate curricular course
  • This should be a screenshot of your enrollment from your GWeb course registration information.
  • Students enrolling in praxis please submit the praxis support letter.
• ​A legible photocopy of your most recent I-94

It is important that you submit a complete application according to the outlined requirements above. You should submit your application at least two weeks prior to your employment start date. If an application does not meet the requirements, the processing of your paperwork may be delayed. Please allow a minimum of 10 business days for processing.

Apply on ISOGateway

 

  Step 6: Fulfill Your Responsibilities While on CPT

While on CPT, you still have certain responsibilities that you must fulfill to maintain your F-1 status. 

• Always report any change of address using GWeb within 10 days of moving.
• Only work at the employer indicated on your I-20.
• Only work during the authorized time period as indicated on your I-20.
• Do not exceed the number of working hours permitted while on CPT.
• Maintain a full course of study each semester.
• If you decide to cancel your CPT or end early, let the ISO know as soon as possible.

Find an Internship, Practicum, or Cooperative Education Opportunity

• Center for Career Services
• F. David Fowler Career Center (GWSB)
• SEASCareers (Graduate Students)
• Graduate Student Career Development (ESIA)
• Graduate School of Education & Human Development Career Services (GSEHD)
• Center for Professional Development & Career Strategy (Law)