CPT (Curricular Practical Training)
A part of your education
CPT stands for Curricular Practical Training. CPT is an off-campus work authorization for training that is an integral part of your studies. UNA authorizes part-time CPT of 20 hours or less per week. Full-time CPT is authorized only in two circumstances: in summer if the student has no other courses and in fall or spring if the course(s) requires more than 20 hours per week of training. Talk to your DSO.
All work in the US off-campus (paid or unpaid, part-time or full-time) must be authorized by a DSO.
Video Introduction to CPT Internships
This link is to a recording of the CPT Info Session presented on Friday, March 8, 2024. It is a 57 minute video, however, the main part of the information is presented in about 25 minutes and the remainder is questions that were asked by the audience.
CPT Request Form
Click this text to download the CPT Authorization Request Form.Questions
- Are you in valid F-1 status?
- Are you registered as a full-time student?
- Is your academic performance in Good Standing with the university?
- Have you been a student in the United States for at least two consecutive semesters in your current academic program?
If you answered “yes” to all four questions, then you are eligible to apply. Students in English language training programs are ineligible for practical training.
- Is it “directly related to the your major area of study”?
- Will you enroll in a credit-bearing course with instructor approval?
If you answered “yes” to both questions, then this opportunity meets CPT requirements.
If not, please read “Is it a CPT or Is It a Job?”
CPT only affects OPT if the student has used 12 months of full-time CPT authorization. The CPT at the part-time level does not affect OPT ever, no matter how many months of part-time authorization. Full-time CPT of less than 12 months does not affect OPT.
| CPT | OPT |
| Part-time CPT (1 day to unlimited) | Full OPT |
| Full-time CPT (1 day to 364 days) | Full OPT |
| Full-time CPT (365 days or more) | No OPT |
Frequently Asked Questions
What the laws say
Federal immigration regulations state: “An F-1 student may be authorized by the DSO to participate in a curricular practical training program that is an integral part of an established curriculum." "Curricular practical training is defined to be alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.”Links
Study in the States:
US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement:
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: