Curricular Practical Training(CPT) Policy Guide

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’s classroom instruction with practical experience. The employment experience must be directly related to the student’s field of study. The ICE has established narrow parameters for the use of this category. Curricular Practical Training 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.

WUV CPT Policy

  • Students must apply for the CPT at least 2 weeks before semester begins.
  • Students must be registered full-time during the academic year to participate in CPT.
  • CPT must be approved for one semester at a time, not to exceed the program end date.
  • CPT must be approved and authorized on the I-20 prior to the employment start date.
  • Students can apply for the CPT only 4 times during the studies of their programs.
  • Employment is limited to part-time (20 hours/week for less) during the fall and spring semester.
  • Full-time (20hours or more per week) employment is allowed for all continuing students in the summer and winter. Accumulating 12 months or more of fulltime CPT will eliminate eligibility for post completion OPT. Part-time CPT does not affect OPT eligibility.
  • CPT will not be allowed for students who have first summer or winter term.
  • CPT may not for a job outside VA, DC or MD
  • CPT may not be for an online job
  • Failure to CPT report and evaluation will not eligible for next CPT authorization.

Eligibility

To be eligible for CPT, you must satisfy the following requirements:
  • F-1 students who are legally maintaining their status; and
  • Who have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year before starting CPT. Exception; graduate students who have internship requirement within their first academic year.
  • New Student: CPT authorization regular academic year only (Fall or Spring semester)
  • You must maintain good academic standing (minimum 2.5 GPA for graduates, 2.0 GPA for undergraduates) in each of your course. If good standing is not maintained, CPT authorization will be canceled or not eligible the following term.
  • Students on academic probation are not eligible for CPT
  • A pattern of absences in any course may result in the cancellation of any existing CPT and loss of future CPT eligibility
WUV 2017 CPT Deadlines Fall Semester: 8/21/2017 – 12/8/2017 – CPT Application Deadlines: Aug 7(Mon), 2017 CPT Application

OPT (Optional Practical Training)

OPT must relate to your major or course of study. You can apply for 12 months of OPT at each education level (i.e., you may have 12 months of OPT at the bachelor’s level and another 12 months of OPT at the master’s level). Your DSO will provide you with a new Form I-20 that shows the DSO recommendation for this employment. You must apply for work authorization by electronically filing a Form I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization,” with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and paying a filing fee. USCIS will send you a Form I-766, “Employment Authorization Document,” (EAD) upon approving your Form I-765. Wait to start work until after you receive your EAD. While school is in session, you may only work 20 hours per week. Source: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/practical-training

University Regulations pertaining to OPT

  • The job position must be related to the applicant’s major or the course of study.
  • Student may apply up to 90 days prior or up to 60 days after the graduation
  • Student must complete all degree requirements, including courseworks, before post-completion OPT begins.
  • After new I-20 for OPT is issued, student submit OPT application to USCIS within one month.
  • Upon receiving your EAD, send a copy of EAD to WUV International Student Advisor.
  • Students on post-completion OPT are limited to a maximum of 90 days of unemployment.
  • While on OPT, student must notify the school within 10 days of any changes.
OPT Application

17-Month OPT STEM Extension

  • You may qualify for an additional 17 months of OPT under the following circumstances:
  • The degree for your current period of post-completion OPT is a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) program listed here.
  • The employer from which you are seeking employment uses the E-Verify program.
  • You have not previously received a 17-month extension of OPT.
  • Your DSO will provide you with a new Form I-20 that shows the DSO recommendation for this employment on page three.
  • You must apply for work authorization by electronically filing a Form I-765 with USCIS and paying a filing fee. USCIS will send you an EAD upon approving your petition.
  • You may continue to work on your expired EAD for OPT up to 180 days while your 17-month extension petition is pending if you meet these conditions: You are currently in a period of post-completion OPT. You properly and in a timely manner filed your application for the 17-month extension with USCIS. You must report changes in name, address, employer and loss of employment to your DSO within 10 days of any change. Source: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/practical-training
USCIS: I-765, Application for Employment Authorization USCIS: Form I-765 USCIS: Instruction for I-765