Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is work authorization
that allows a student to work in a job related to his/her field. ISSS offers CPT/OPT Workshops
Allow seven business days for ISSS to process the authorization. ISSS cannot backdate employment authorization. Students should not accept salary for employment not covered
by CPT authorization. A student cannot begin CPT employment until
s/he has the authorization in hand.
CPT - Co-op Program
Available to students selected to participate in
a bona-fide co-op program through their college or department.
Employment authorization may be part-time or full-time depending
on the co-op agreement.
Student will need to provide evidence of college/department
co-op approval.
Application
Attend a Curricular/Optional Practical Training Workshop to obtain information and application forms and to have the opportunity to ask questions. The completed application should be submitted to an ISSS adviser
7 business days prior to the
start of CPT employment. Submit your application during scheduled walk-in hours or make an appointment.
Course Description Form completed by Course instructor
Reduced Course Load Form(s), if needed
Important:
Allow ISSS 7 business days to process the CPT authorization.
ISSS cannot backdate authorization to accommodate employment already started.
Students should not accept salary for employment not covered by CPT authorization.
A student cannot begin CPT employment until s/he has the authorization in hand.
CPT - Elective Internship/Employment
Available to students who want to gain practical
work experience related to their field of
study.
Must be based on the student receiving course credit to participate
in the employment. Some established curriculums have courses that
would meet this requirement or a student can arrange a Directed
Study or Independent Study course. It is important that the course
requires the employment with a specified begin and end date.
Student must receive an Incomplete in the course until the period
of CPT has been satisfied.
Application
Attend a Curricular/Optional
Practical Training Workshop to obtain information and application
forms and to have the opportunity to ask questions. The completed
application must be submitted to an ISSS adviser during scheduled
walk-in hours or an appointment.
Please Note:
Allow ISSS 7 business days to process the CPT authorization.
ISSS cannot backdate authorization to accommodate employment already
started. Students should not accept salary for employment not covered
by CPT authorization. A student cannot begin CPT employment until
s/he has the authorization in hand.
Other Information
Extension of CPT
Available if student has not completed program requirements.
Extension of one month or less is possible based on current
authorization by submitting to an ISSS adviser the Form I-20 and
the letter/document described below:
Required internship: Letter from college/department
verifying need to extend internship to complete program requirement.
Letter must state the revised end date.
Co-Op: Revised co-op agreement or letter from U of MN co-op
program sponsor that reflects co-op extension requirement.
Agreement or letter must state the revised end date.
Elective Internship/Employment: Letter from course instructor
stating the requirement of the course has been extended. Letter
should state the revised end date.
Extensions of more than one month of CPT require a new application
and, for elective CPT, a new course registration.
Employer Change Under CPT
Submit to an ISSS adviser Form I-20 and letter from
course instructor stating the requirement of the course has changed
in terms of employer. instructor’s letter must state the
name of the new employer, address, and the effective date.
CPT authorization for new employer must be in hand before a
student can begin new employment.
Full-time CPT Authorization
Work hours that total more than 20 hrs/week require
full-time CPT authorization.
Students with full-time CPT authorization during the academic
year are required, under USCIS regulations, to maintain full-time
progress on their degree program. Employment cannot delay the
completion of a degree program.
Students with full-time CPT authorization must file a Reduced Course Load of Study Form for each semester they are
enrolled less than full-time. The reason on the Reduced Course Load
cannot be “participating in a required internship” when
the employment is elective.
Students who have received full-time CPT for employment at the
University will need to have a new Form
I-9 processed at University
Payroll.
Who Is Eligible for Full-time CPT Authorization
Students meeting the general eligibility requirements
are able to participate in full-time CPT during the summer vacation.
Students who have completed all course requirements for their
degree and are working on their Plan B, thesis, etc. and meet
the general eligibility requirements.
A student enrolled in a course or program where internship is required.
Students who have been granted a Program Extension are not eligible
for full-time CPT.
F-1 Student 
