Curricular Practical Training
- What is curricular practical training (CPT)?
Practical training is work or training in your field of study. Curricular practical training must be an integral part of an established curriculum, a required or optional internship for academic credit. Currently at Loyola, only Business, Communication, Music Therapy, and Education have internships for credit, but other departments have developed independent studies for students allowing them to have a practical work experience.
- Can I be paid?
CPT can be paid or unpaid. The restriction is that it must be an internship for credit or a required part of the degree program.
- How many hours per week can I work?
The number of hours you work is not limited on CPT, but is simply reported as either full-time (more than 20 hours per week) or part-time (less than 20 hours per week). If you have 12 months of full-time CPT, you are not eligible for Optional Practical Training.
- Who can apply?
In order for you to be eligible for CPT, you must have been in lawful F-1 student status for at least one full academic year.
- When can I apply?
You must apply before you begin the internship.
- How do I apply?
You must submit the following documents to CIE:
1. The application for CPT
2. Your I-20
3. Job offer or class registration with the contract or agreement from your academic department.
4. The Center for International Education will submit information on your internship through SEVIS (specific employer, part-time or full-time and the specific dates) and will issue a new I-20 endorsed for CPT.