Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

What is Curricular Practical Training?
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an employment option available to some F-1 students where the practical training employment is considered to be an integral part of the curriculum or academic program.  This employment is either required for your degree (as defined in the course catalog) or for which academic credit is awarded. Most employment is off-campus.

Warning: there are very few courses at Texas Wesleyan for which CPT is required. 

How do I know if I am eligible for CPT?

To be eligible for curricular practical training, you must have been in lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for nine consecutive months (one full academic year), your employment must be a required part of your degree program or requirement for a course, and your job offer related to your major or field of study.  You must have an offer of employment offering work that qualifies as curricular practical training.

The International Programs Office can authorize CPT for you if it can be clearly documented that the proposed employment meets the three following conditions:

1.      The training employment is required of all degree candidates in the program and is necessary for the awarding of the degree. (Undergraduates are not eligible in their first year of study.)

2.      The training employment will result in the awarding of academic credit from a required course. You must be registered for the course during the period that you are working under curricular practical training authorization.

3.      You must have a job offer prior to applying for CPT.

How do I apply for CPT?

First you must meet with the International Student Adviser who will determine if you are eligible for CPT.  If you are eligible, you will fill out a CPT Request form.  A new SEVIS I-20 will be issued denoting employment authorization on page three.  You must not continue employment beyond the date authorized unless you apply and are granted an extension of your permission to work.  Any work undertaken after the expiration date of your CPT will be considered unauthorized employment.

CPT Request Form

Next you will apply for a valid Social Security number.  Locate the nearest Social Security office and go there between 9am - 4pm to fill out an application form and visit with an official.

How much can I work?

The employment authorization page of your CPT  I-20 will specify permission to engage in part-time training, and you must limit your work to no more than 20 hours per week. There is no limitation upon the length of time you may participate in part-time curricular practical training cumulatively, but you must be simultaneously enrolled as a full-time student in order to maintain lawful F-1 status. 

CPT will not impact your OPT employment.