Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Practical training is defined as work experience in the student’s major field of study that can be conducted off-campus. Two types of practical training are available to international students: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). 

What is CPT?

Curricular Practice Training (CPT) is a temporary employment authorization that allows F-1 students to engage in an off campus academic internships or employment that is a required or an integral part of their academic curriculum.

  • Occurs before the student’s program end date on the Form I-20
  • Each authorization is for one specific employer and for a specific period of time
    • Student can have multiple authorizations for the same time period. Please discuss with your Educational Advisor.
  • Student must secure the training opportunity before CPT can be authorized

Types of CPT

  • Part-time: Up to 20 hours per week during the academic year (Fall and Spring)
  • Full-time: More than 20 hours per week (only available during Summer and Winter)
    • One year of full-time CPT eliminates a student’s eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Requirements

To be eligible to apply for CPT, students must:

  • Be in valid F-1 status
  • Have been lawfully enrolled full-time with the same SEVIS (I-20) number for at least one full academic year 
  • Engage in work training that is integral part of their curriculum AND is directly related to the student's major or area of study
  • Have secured an internship offer related to the major or field of study
  • Is not studying English as a second language
  • Will be enrolled in a major course that requires field work or an internship course (BUS 070A or BUS 070B)

Internship Courses

PCC students who engage in CPT must be enrolled in a clinical, fieldwork, practicum or internship course at the college to ensure you are meeting learning objectives related to your work-based learning.

In some majors, fieldwork, practicum or clinical work experience is required to graduate so you will be enrolled in your major's appropriate internship, fieldwork, practicum or clinical experience class.

In majors that do not have this requirement, students must enroll in BUS 070A: Paid Internships or BUS 070B: Unpaid Internships to fulfill the learning objectives of your practical training. 

How to Apply for CPT

Secure the internship and obtain a job offer letter.

The job offer letter must contain the following information:

  • Position Title
  • Employment start and end date (must be within the semester start and end date)
  • Weekly hours to be completed
  • Indicate whether the training is full-time or part-time
  • Indicate whether the training is paid or unpaid
  • Indicate employer’s name; employer’s address; supervisor’s full name, telephone and email address
  • Description of job duties, detailed projects, and responsibilities
For students in majors with clinical, fieldwork or practicum classes For students in majors with no clinical, fieldwork or practicum classes

Your program director or instructor will secure and internship position for you and provide you with job offer letter.
  • Meet with your Educational (F-1) Advisor to determine your CPT eligibility 

  • If you are eligible, make an appointment to speak with a Career Advisor at the Freeman Career Center if you need help finding an internship. 

  • If you already have an internship secured, provide your job offer letter to an Internship Developer at the Freeman Career Center to start your Curricular Practical Training authorization. 
    • Noel Gonzalez: Health Science Wellness, STEM and Social & Behavioral Science Majors
    • Isabel Ochoa: Business & Industry, Liberal Arts and Arts, Communication & Design Majors.
For students in majors with clinical, fieldwork or practicum classes For students in majors with no clinical, fieldwork or practicum classes
  • Enroll in the general internship course if your major does not require field work experience.

  • To enroll in an internship course, work with your Educational (F-1) Advisor, Internship Developer and Dr. Kimberly Shediak kshediak@pasadena.edu, Faculty Lead, to obtain a CRN and course clearance for your corresponding internship class (BUS 070A or BUS 070B).
    • Email a copy of your job offer letter to Dr. Shediak and your Educational Advisor
    • Work with Dr. Shediak to get your Curricular Practical Training Request form signed. Make sure you complete and sign the top portion of the form before you email it to her.

Email your CPT Request and a copy of your job offer letter to your Educational (F-1) Advisor or email iso@pasadena.edu. 

You will receive an email confirmation once your CPT is authorized with the following: 

  • A new I-20 with CPT authorization.
    • Print, sign and date your CPT I-20
    • Make sure you keep ALL versions of your I-20 forever
  • If you need a Social Security Number (SSN), you will also receive SSN support letter and instructions on how to apply for a Social Security Number
    • You must have an SSN in order to work 
    • Getting an SSN may take up to 3 working weeks

Do not work until you receive your CPT authorization, updated I-20 with CPT approval and obtained your SSN.

If any details of your CPT change, you must notify your Educational (F-1) Advisor or email iso@pasadena.edu. 

Responsibilities While on CPT
  • CPT is only approved within the start and end date of the semseter
  • A new authorization is required each semester
  • Students cannot begin working until AFTER they have received CPT approval from Educational (F-1) Advisor
  • Follow the rules of the CPT authorization.
  • Do not work outside of your approval dates
  • Do not work for another company without authorization
  • Continue to maintain full time enrollment unless approved for a Reduced Course Load
  • Report any changes in name, address, employer and loss of employment to ISC within 10 days of any change