Curricular Practical Training CPT What is CPT Curricular

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

What is CPT? Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a benefit for F-1 students granting temporary employment authorization for training during their studies in the U. S. CPT is described by USCIS as a training which is “an integral part of an established curriculum” and "directly related to the student's major area of study. “ CPT is also defined as “an alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship/practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. "

So, CPT is for employment? That’s partially correct, but there’s more to it than that. CPT must be based on your curricular needs and not your employment needs. One way to think of it would be as a class that requires you to participate in an internship for a semester.

How do I know if my training opportunity is eligible for CPT?

JHU students may use CPT if the training will fulfill one or more of the following academic objectives: • It’s an internship or practicum that is required for all students in your program. • You are enrolled in a course (credit or non-credit) offered in the JHU course catalog that will appear on your official transcript. • It’s part of an established JHU Cooperative Education, or co-op, program. • It’s an off-campus placement arranged by JHU for you to pursue your graduate thesis or dissertation research in a way that cannot be accomplished on campus, and is required for you to complete your degree program.

Eligibility In order to qualify for CPT, you must meet all of the following requirements: • You must be in valid F-1 status; • You must be in good academic standing; • You must have been enrolled as full-time student in the U. S. for at least one academic year; • You must continue to be enrolled full time during the CPT (except during the summer or final semester) and making satisfactory academic progress toward degree completion; • The training must be “an integral part of an established curriculum”; • The training must be “directly related to the student’s major area of study”;

How do I know if I meet the one academic year requirement?

Academic year requirement • You must be in F-1 status • You must have been enrolled as a full-time student for at least one academic year.

Academic year requirement • Transfer students – you may meet the requirement if you transferred to JHU immediately upon graduation and were enrolled full-time at your previous U. S. school for at least one academic year. • Students changing academic levels - if you have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year in your previous degree program. • Change of status students – you may meet the one academic year requirement if you have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year in the degree program while in your previous immigration status. NOTE: Post Completion OPT is considered a break in study and resets the one academic year requirement. Students transferring or changing academic levels after the completion of OPT must meet the one academic year requirement again before they are eligible for CPT.

Exceptions to the one year requirement Graduate students may be allowed to apply for CPT without spending one year in F-1 status if they are required to participate in an internship/practicum during the first year of their program. You need to prove that the internship is required with official department web pages and/or course catalog references.

How many hours per week I can work while I’m on CPT ?

Part-time CPT • Part-time is defined as anything up to 20 hours per week Full-time CPT • Full-time is defined as 20 hours per week or more • Full-time CPT will be authorized only during breaks and vacation, unless: * It is part of an established, documented co-op * You are a doctoral student and require full-time authorization to complete your Ph. D. thesis. This requirement must be clearly documented.

I’m not getting paid - do I need CPT ?

It’s not required, but OIS strongly recommends that you apply for CPT for unpaid positions, mostly for your protection. It allows you to be accept any compensation that your employer may decide to give you, such as a bonus. It would also give you the ability to accept any non-monetary compensation such as a bus pass, commission, meal vouchers, etc. It documents the experience on the I-20, and prevents the internship from being interpreted as working without authorization

I’m in a joint degree program. Is there anything special I should know?

Students in Joint or Dual Degree Programs • Students in joint or dual degrees should be eligible for CPT, but there may be special procedures for some situations. if you are in such a program, please consult with an OIS advisor and be sure to explain your circumstances. • Some programs may be described as ‘joint’, but actually involve a change of program, such as from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s. This may leave you with a gap between programs, which would mean you would not be eligible for CPT during that period. Again, talk to an OIS advisor if this applies to you.

I’m a graduate student. Are there any restrictions on CPT for me?

• Graduate students who are taking coursework towards their degrees are eligible for CPT through the regular process. • If you have completed your coursework and are working on your thesis or dissertation, you must demonstrate how the practicum is necessary for your thesis or other degree requirements. • There must be a link between the practicum and your thesis or dissertation to qualify for CPT. • While the practicum may not be required for thesis or dissertation, your faculty advisor can also confirm that the practicum will enhance, complement or add value to the quality of thesis or dissertation research work.

When to apply • Plan to apply for CPT at least two weeks before you start the job! • OIS cannot back-date the CPT authorization Therefore, you must apply and get approval before you start working. • Remember that any work you do before CPT is approved is a violation of your F-1 status, and can lead to problems in the future.

Beginning and end dates • CPT is authorized on a semester or term basis, so the start and end dates will usually be within a semester/term. It can begin as early as the day after the prior semester/term ends and continue until the day before the following semester begins, depending on the academic calendar at your school. • The CPT end date will be either the end of the offered internship/practicum or the end of the semester/term, whichever comes first. If the internship/practicum will continue to the following semester, you must submit a new CPT request for that semester. • If the proposed internship/practicum goes beyond your program end date in the final semester, the CPT end date will be the end of your F-1 program (usually the last day of classes). If you want to continue the internship beyond the end of your program, you will need to apply for post-completion OPT.

How to apply • Read the CPT instructions on the OIS website www. ois. jhu. edu • Submit your CPT Request Form electronically in i. Hopkins, under the “F-1 Practical Training” tab on the home page • A CPT request requires a recommendation by the school authorizing official as the ‘first approver’. The first approver varies by school, but is usually your academic advisor. It is NOT the employer. • OIS will be the last or ‘second approver’, approving a CPT request after reviewing all the documents you submit. • If the request is approved, OIS will print a new I-20 with CPT authorization on page two. When you start the job, show your employer this I-20 along with your passport and I-94.

Impact of CPT on OPT • • There is no time limit on the number of CPT authorizations you can have. However, if you use one year or more of full-time CPT, that will completely eliminate your eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Use of less than 12 months of full-time CPT and/or any amount of part-time CPT does not affect your eligibility for OPT.

Some other things to consider… • CPT authorization is for a specific employer and time; if you wish to change employers or need an extension, a new CPT application must be submitted and approved. • Your CPT is not valid until you have the I-20 with CPT authorization on it. • Keep your original CPT I-20 and the employer’s letter for your records. • Notify OIS if there is a change to your CPT, such as an early completion or extension. • Remember that any work you do before the start date and beyond the end date of your approved CPT is considered illegal employment. We can NOT fix it after the fact if you work without authorization. • Make sure that you register for the practicum course listed on a CPT request form, unless that is done for you at your school. • If you will be applying for CPT during your final semester, it is best to request CPT

Questions Please visit OIS during walk-in advising hours to ask any questions/concerns you may have. You can also call or send us an email. ois@jhu. edu 667 -208 -7001 Homewood campus – Wyman Park 2 West, 3400 N. Charles St. , Baltimore Peabody Institute – Peabody Living Center, Suite 107, 1 E. Mt. Vernon Place, Baltimore Carey Harbor East – 5 th floor, 100 International Drive, Baltimore Washington DC – BOB Room 331, 1717 Massachusetts Ave. NW Medical Institutions - Reed Hall, Suite 405, 1620 Mc. Elderry St. , Baltimore