CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT)
**UPDATED August 2026**
DHS REMINDER ON CPT REGULATIONS
In very particular instances, some F-1 students may be eligible for CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT). These instances are reviewed on a case by case basis. Please carefully review the overview and eligibility requirements below before reaching out to the Office of International Student Services to determine if you may qualify for CPT.
Please refer to the DHS website to learn more about CPT: https://www.ice.gov/sevis/practical-training
Overview
- Training MUST relate DIRECTLY to the student’s major area of study.
- Training MUST be an INTEGRAL part of the school’s established curriculum.
- CPT can only be authorized when the training is an integral part of an established curriculum and is directly related to the student's major area of study. CPT cannot be authorized solely for the purpose of employment or for experiences that are not required or otherwise formally recognized as part of the academic program.
- CPT MUST be determined to be a core and essential part of the student's studies, without which, they would be unable to complete their degree.
- CPT will only be authorized if:
- its absence would make the attainment of a degree an impossibility and
- if the work associated with CPT is required for all students pursuing that degree.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for CPT, you MUST:
- Be enrolled in a course during the CPT term that yields academic credit that contributes
to degree requirements.
- CPT will only be authorized for students who are enrolled in a course that requires employment to earn a grade. Enrollment in the course must be concurrent with employment. Authorization will be considered on a semester-only basis under very precise conditions.
- Have an instructor supervising and evaluating your progress.
- Have completed at least one academic year (Fall and Spring semesters).
- Secure a job offer DIRECTLY related to your field of study.
- Maintain full-time student status (12 credit hours for undergraduates, 6 for graduates - at least 9 hours in person for undergraduates, 3 for graduates).
Additional Information
- Occurs before the student’s program end date on the Form I-20.
- Authorization is for one specific employer and for a specific period of time.
- Student must secure the training opportunity before CPT can be authorized.
- CPT must be authorized before the student can begin work.
- One year of full-time CPT eliminates a student’s eligibility for OPT.
- Must maintain valid immigration status with full-time enrollment status (described above).
- Students in English language programs are not eligible for CPT.
- If you have had a gap in study or status violation, the one academic year requirement is recalculated.
- APSU only allows course credit in exchange for CPT work.
Steps to Apply for CPT
- Please reach out to the Office of International Student Services (ISS) to determine if you are eligible for CPT.
Contact Information
For questions or assistance, contact:
- Phone: (931) 221-6400
- Email: iss@apsu.edu
- Office Location: Clement 103, Clarksville, TN 37044
Frequently Asked Questions
IF granted:
Once you have submitted all relevant paperwork, your I-20 with CPT information on it can usually be created and delivered within 7 days. However, when accepting job roles, keep semester beginning and end dates in mind:
- Student must have completed one full academic year (two full semesters) before becoming eligible to apply for CPT.
- Student must secure the training opportunity before CPT can be authorized.
- CPT must be authorized before the student can begin work.
- The student cannot start work prior to the start date. All work must end by the CPT end date.
- Applications must be submitted 2 weeks - 30 days before your planned employment start date.
- You can only work during the academic semester. Check the Academic Calendar to find semester dates.
- Continuing students can only work part-time during the Fall and Spring semester in most cases. Typically, you're limited to part-time
CPT for these semesters.
- International students must have face-to-face classes, so full-time CPT may not be authorized in Fall or Spring.
- During the summer, regardless of full-time or part-time course enrollment, you can work full-time.
- If your degree program requires full-time internships during fall or spring, your advisor must submit a statement explaining this requirement. Remember that you must have completed one academic year before accepting an internship.
- CPT is part-time if you are a Graduate Assistant in any capacity, and the internship is in the Fall or Spring. No exceptions.
- If you're in your final term, you may participate in CPT, but it is only approved on a case-by-case basis. Student must sign an agreement to meet the following
requirements:
- CPT is part-time if you have a full course load, including at least one in-person class.
- CPT is part-time if you are a Graduate Assistant in any capacity, and the internship is in the Fall or Spring. No exceptions.
- CPT is full -time if you have reduced course load/less than full-time and do not hold
a GA role, but:
- the class must be in person or require regular check-ins (virtual check-ins are allowed) and;
- you must check in with the ISS coordinator, advisor or graduate coordinator, and department chair as deemed necessary by your advisor or ISS
- Exception: Summer CPT may be full time even if the class is online.
- If you are a Graduate Assistant of any type, you may not accept a full-time CPT role in the Fall or Spring semesters unless you resign from your graduate assistantship role.
Notice: Failure to meet the above requirements will result in immediate cancellation of CPT authorization and potential failure of the class which the student is enrolled in.
Yes. F-1 students are responsible for complying with all immigration regulations, including employment regulations. The rules you normally abide by when not working are the same ones you'll abide by when working.
Working without the proper authorization is a serious violation of nonimmigrant status in the U.S. If you fail to comply with these regulations, you may not be eligible for benefits normally granted to F-1 students and may jeopardize your stay in the U.S.
Prior to accepting any employment in the US, students should consult with the Office of International Student Services. Some important points to remember are:
- Always enroll full-time. You must maintain full-time student status every semester; this is defined as 12 credit-hours for undergraduate students and 6 credit-hours for graduate students. F-1 students may only count three credit-hours of online courses toward full-time enrollment requirements.
- Update local address. If you're authorized to engage in Curricular Practical Training, you must report the following changes within 10 days: legal name, residence (including changes from one residence hall to another) or mailing address, employer name, employer address and/or periods of employment/unemployment.
- Maintain the validity of your immigration documents. You should keep your passport valid for at least six months into the future. Always keep your visa valid if traveling outside the U.S.
- Change of program dates. You will not be eligible for an extension of your I-20 due to a delay caused by CPT employment. Changes to a program date should occur at least two weeks prior to the new program date or expiration of the current date, whichever is earlier.
- Change of degree program or level. All program changes such as major, secondary major, minor or degree level must be updated in the SEVIS system as soon as possible.
- Keep copies of Immigration documents. You should keep copies of all immigration documents including the following: passport photo page, visa in passport, I-94, current I-20, and copies of any I-20 issued.
IF granted:
- Fall/Spring Semesters: Typically part-time (20 hours/week), some exceptions apply.
- Summer: Full-time CPT is permitted regardless of course enrollment.
- Final Term: CPT is approved case-by-case; must meet specific requirements.
- OPT Eligibility: Full-time CPT exceeding 11 months and 29 days will negate OPT eligibility.