Curricular Practical Training

What is CPT?

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is practical work experience for F-1 students which is:

Required of all students in a specific degree program, or
Listed in the course catalogue as offering credit that directly counts towards degree credit requirements.

CPT may, but will not always, include for-credit internships, cooperative education programs, independent study, or graduate research.

Academic Units determine whether to incorporate practical training into the curriculum and stipulate when students may pursue practical training. F-1 students in programs that do not have the option of practical training for credit are not eligible for CPT. Not all programs give credit for practical training or allow for paid practical training.

CPT is available only prior to completion of the academic program. CPT employment may not delay completion of the academic program. Depending on the school of enrollment, academic policy may require students to have a declared major prior to applying for CPT. Students should consult with their academic advisor for guidance. CPT is not approved for minors. You can ONLY begin working after you get the CPT I-20 from Rutgers Global - ISSS and the authorized employment period has begun.

While CPT authorizations are approved by ISSS, USCIS will always have the final authority on your overall practical training eligibility and how prior work authorizations could impact future immigration benefits, such as OPT. When OPT applications are reviewed, USCIS has the authority to evaluate the details of your past employment, such as total hours worked per week (in all roles), dates worked, course relevancy, etc. to determine your eligibility. If such questioning arises, you are expected to provide the requested information.

For job search tips and resources, please visit Career Exploration and Success.

To connect with an International Student Adviser about CPT, please visit our advising services webpage to join CPT/OPT Chat Sessions via Zoom, Employment 101 In Person Workshops, Quick Question Advising, or make an advising appointment.

Additional Information

Eligibility +

F-1 students eligible for CPT are:

Offered a paid or unpaid employment opportunity qualified for CPT
Lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis while physically present in the US for one academic year (i.e. two full consecutive terms) unless you are a graduate student and your academic program requires immediate participation for all students
Maintaining F-1 status
Approved to register for the corresponding course/credit for the practical training for the semester/summer during which the student is engaged in practical training

CPT During Final Term

During your final term of study, you must be enrolled at Rutgers University and physically present on campus in order to comply with F-1 requirements. If you are enrolled part-time because you do not need a full course load to complete your remaining degree requirements, you must receive Reduced Course Load (RCL) authorization from ISSS.

If CPT is the only course in your registration (with approved RCL), then the CPT experience must have an in-person requirement (in other words, the training takes place in-person, at the CPT site). If the CPT is remote and if your other courses do not meet the in-person requirements, then the CPT course needs to include an in-person requirement that can be explained on the CPT e-form.

If you are in compliance with these enrollment and physical presence requirements, then you may pursue CPT during your final term of study. Please note that the latest possible end date for CPT authorization during the final term of study is the last day of your degree completion date. If your degree completion date is shortened at any point during your final term of study, ISSS will shorten your CPT end date so that your CPT authorization does not extend beyond your degree completion date.

Full Time versus Part Time CPT +

Part-time CPT: Employment for 20 hours or less per week is considered part-time. You must be simultaneously enrolled in classes full-time and be physically present on campus in order to maintain lawful F-1 status during fall and spring terms.

Full-time CPT: Employment for more than 20 hours per week is full-time. Please be aware that 12 months or more of full-time CPT will eliminate your eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT). During fall and spring terms, you must be enrolled full-time or have an approved Reduced Course Load (RCL).

In most cases, students may be authorized—with approval from ISSS—for part time CPT (20 hours per week or less) during the fall and spring semesters. F-1 students may be authorized for full time CPT (more than 20 hours per week) during the summer and winter break periods.

You may also be limited to part time CPT in the summer if:

Your program has a required summer term OR
Summer is your final term

Exceptionally, with approval from ISSS, students may be eligible for full time CPT during the fall and spring semesters (or a required summer term), following these conditions:

Undergraduate students are in the last semester to complete a degree program and are authorized for less than a full-time course load
Graduate students have completed all coursework, or are in the last semester to complete coursework and are authorized for less than a full-time course load
Students are enrolled in a program which requires participation in a full-time CPT during the fall/spring semesters. Students are expected to maintain full-time enrollment and maintain physical presence on campus during the fall and spring terms. These cases are rare and will be evaluated by ISSS to ensure compliance with F-1 regulations.

Please note that students who have received one year or more of full-time CPT are ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) at the same educational level. Part-time CPT generally does not affect eligibility for OPT. If concerned, please contact an ISA.

How to Apply for CPT +

Complete the online Off-Campus Employment Workshop hosted on the RGlobal portal (under Workshops on the left-hand menu)
Consult with your school/program regarding academic eligibility for CPT
Submit your Curricular Practical Training (CPT) request online through the RGlobal portal.
- Students in the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy completing rotations should instead submit the PharmD Rotation: CPT Authorization request
- A new CPT request is needed for each individual job you will be performing, per semester
Prepare the following for your request:
- Job offer letter, printed on official business letterhead, showing the following:

Job title and brief job description/duties of role
Exact start and end date of employment
Number of hours of work per week - writing "full time" or "part time" is NOT sufficient
Physical place of employment (street address, no PO boxes)
If you will be working remotely, this should also be noted

IMPORTANT NOTES: If your letter does not show ALL of the information above, your CPT approval will be delayed. If you cannot upload a job offer letter with all the required details outlined above, you will be prompted to indicate this in the CPT e-form. An automated email will then be sent to your employer so that they can provide the required details about your employment.

All students applying for CPT are required to have approval from their Academic Official (electronically via the CPT e-form), so discuss your plans with them first.
- For undergraduate students, your Academic Official is your Academic Dean/Advisor
- For graduate students, your Academic Official is your Graduate Program Director
- For Rutgers Health students, your Academic Official is your Registrar
  - Students in the School of Social Work are also required to submit a Field Placement Confirmation form from SSW
  - PharmD students have their own PharmD rotation CPT e-form to complete on the RGlobal Portal
Proof of registration for the CPT course must appear on your unofficial transcript (i.e. screenshot of web registration page showing your name, the relevant semester and course number).

After receiving the new I-20 via email:

Note the CPT authorization on page 2 and make sure the employer name and authorization dates are accurate.

Print and sign the new I-20 with an ink pen. You can ONLY begin working after you get the CPT I-20 from ISSS and the authorized employment period has begun.

Please note that you should submit a Reduced Credit Form along with a CPT application if you are registering below full-time credit load during a fall or spring semester.

You must apply for a separate CPT for EACH separate off-campus employment opportunity.

Changes to CPT +

CPT is authorized for a specific employer for a defined period of time. Notify an international student adviser immediately if there is any change with your current CPT employment start/end date, address, or number of hours per week. Ideally, changes should be reported to ISSS within 10 days.

If you would like to change employers or extend your CPT authorization into a new term/semester, a complete new CPT application must be submitted. For CPT extensions during the current term/semester, contact an international student adviser for further guidance.

CPT Dates +

Fall and Spring CPT’s are generally authorized for dates within the semester. However, based on the curricular requirement, they may be approved until before the start date of the following term without requiring additional CPT related course enrollment.

Summer CPT may continue until before the start date of the fall term.

Winter CPT may continue until before the start date of the spring term.

Final semester CPT may continue until the last day of classes for the term in which the CPT is authorized.