International Student Center♦Liberty University, 1971 University Blvd., Lynchburg, VA 24515
Phone (434) 592-4118♦Fax (434) 582-2969♦mystatus@liberty.edu♦ www.liberty.edu/isc
Updated 9/6/2018
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Application
for F-1 International Students
Student’s name: _____________________________________________________Student ID #: ___________________
General Information:
According to Federal Regulations, Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is “employment which is an integral or important part of a
student’s curriculum, including alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or
practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.” Students must receive
authorization for CPT if they will be participating in any internship, work experience, or practicum whether or not they will
receive compensation. Students must have held F-1 Status for one academic year (2 semesters) to apply for CPT.
Additional CPT Information:
• Your passport must be valid to receive any kind of work authorization.
• You may not begin before the start date or continue working after the end date. If you work beyond the end date, you will be
working without authorization resulting in the termination of your status and possible loss of future immigration benefits.
• CPT is authorized on a semester-by-semester basis. CPT authorization ends the date the student’s degree is conferred.
• Part-time CPT is 20 hours or less per week. You must be registered for an internship course.
• Full-time CPT is 21 hours or more per week. You must be registered for an internship course that requires full time hours.
Exception: CPT authorized in the summer can be full time regardless of the class.
• For part-time or full-time CPT you must maintain full-time enrollment and complete Financial Check In (FCI). Consult with
your International Student Advisor (ISA).
• There is no limit to the amount of part-time CPT in which you can participate before graduation. However if you exceed one
full year (12 months) of full-time CPT, you will be ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
• CPT is not meant to be a convenient employment opportunity nor is meant to be a device to save Optional Practical
Training (OPT) months. CPT must have a valid purpose in the student’s program of study.
•
Withdrawing from the course supporting CPT results in automatic cancellation of CPT authorization. If the
student continues working, the student may fall out of status and lose any future benefits associated with F-1
status.
• If internship is not required for the student to complete degree requirements, and if the student is in his/her final
semester, he/she must have at least one remaining required course.
• All internships must receive CPT authorization regardless if it is paid or unpaid.
Types of CPT:
1. Required by the degree program. Training that is required by the degree program as part of the core requirements. Graduate
student may be authorized for CPT during the first semester if required by their degree.
2. Integral (optional for graduation). Training that is not required by the degree program meets the requirements for CPT if the
work is an integral part of the program of study and the student receives academic credit for the employment experience.
Students must be enrolled full-time for at least 2 semesters before participating in “Integral” CPT.
Application Procedure:
1. Find an internship (paid or unpaid) related to your major.
2. Meet with your Faculty Internship Advisor or point of contact (POC) in your department to determine which CPT course
option is available for your program.
3. Register for the corresponding course.
4. Complete the Internship Agreement Form or submit an official employment offer letter on employer’s letterhead and submit
to your ISA along with this completed application.
*The Official employment offer letter must indicate the following:
1. Employer’s full name, address, & phone number
2. Supervisor’s name and contact information
3. Type of work the student will perform
4. Number of hours the student will work per week
5. Dates of Employment
5. Your ISA will prepare a new I-20 with the CPT endorsement. This endorsement serves as employment authorization
only with the employer and for the dates listed.
