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Office of International Programs
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Curricular Practical Training

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is work authorization that allows eligible F-1 international students to gain practical experience through off-campus work—like internships, externships, clinicals, or fieldwork which can be paid or unpaid—as part of your academic program. CPT must be directly related to your major and required or be credit-bearing (such as an elective) within your degree program.

The United States Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) defines Curricular Practical Training as follows:

“An F–1 student may be authorized by the Designated School Official (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.” [8 CFR 214.2(f) (10) ( i )]

Please visit the Department of Homeland Security’s Study in the States webpage for regulatory rules and guidance on Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Who Can Apply for CPT?

To be eligible for CPT, you must:

  • Be in good academic standing
  • Have completed at least one academic year in the U.S. (except for certain graduate programs)
  • Have been making normal progress toward the completion of your degree

Have been offered a specific training opportunity that fits one of these categories:

  • Required of All Students for Graduation
    • An Internship/training/practicum/clinicals/field placement is necessary to complete
    • Example: Students in the BA/MA in Diplomacy must complete an internship and register for the DIPL Internship course to graduate.

  • Elective Course for Academic Credit
    • The internship/Independent Study/Directed Research is optional but counts toward your degree as a registered course.
    • Example: The MS in Accounting offers a 1-credit internship course that can count as an elective.
  • Research for Thesis or Dissertation
    • The experience supports required research for your thesis or dissertation.
    • Example: A PhD student uses off-campus lab research as part of their dissertation project.

 CPT is not meant for general employment or to save time on Optional Practical Training (OPT). Not all International students qualify for CPT.

 F-1 students who complete 12 months or more of full-time CPT (20+ hours per week) are not eligible for OPT at the same education level.

For Seton Hall Law School Students 

For Seton Hall Law School J.D. students, please take a look at the Curricular Practical Training(CPT) Certification page on the Law School website for specific instructions to apply for CPT. 

Ready to Apply for CPT?

 Step 1: Within your first year at Seton Hall, make an appointment with the following people to discuss your CPT eligibility. If you are in your second year, get started ASAP.

    1. Meet with OIP: Discuss general conditions and eligibility of CPT.  
    2. Meet with your Academic Advisor: Discuss if your program requirements fit into the CPT eligibility criteria 
    3. Meet with The Career Center/your own program’s internship/clinical/field placement advisor: For assistance with securing the position (resume writing, interviewing, networking, etc.). For undergraduate students, you must meet with your Career Center advisor as well as your academic advisor in order to register for the internship class. 

 Step 2: After you have secured an internship/position, please do the following:

    1. Register your internship with The Career Center (for Undergraduate students only)
    2. Register for the course related to your CPT request (if applicable)
    3. Log in to the International Student and Scholars Portal (ISS Portal) using your Seton Hall credentials. Law School J.D. students should submit the PDF CPT Request to [email protected]. Please do not use the CPT Request in the ISS Portal.

      Login to the International Student and Scholars Portal

    4. Go to #4 OIP Requests, under “What can we help you with?”, click the Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Detailed instructions are available within the portal to guide you through the process.
        • As part of this request, you will be asked to initiate a Curricular Practical Training Confirmation to your Academic/Internship/Clinical/Field Placement Advisor. Please note that this is not the professor teaching the course. To initiate confirmation, you will be asked to enter your Advisor's First & Last Name and Email Address. Your advisor will receive an email with a confirmation link from the ISS Portal. Please follow up with your advisor to complete the CPT approval form for you.
        • If you are unsure of who your Academic/Internship/Clinical/Field Placement Advisor is, please contact your Academic Department.

 Step 3: Receive CPT Authorization from OIP: OIP will email you a new I-20 with CPT authorization will be ready for download in the International Student and Scholars Portal. F-1 students must receive this I-20 before beginning a CPT experience and show this to your employer You must register for the required courses before you apply for CPT and you must apply for curricular practical training before or during the normal registration period.

Questions? Make An Appointment with an OIP Advisor