Curricular Practical Training

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

This information below is designed for students in F-1 status. It provides information about a type of employment opportunity called "Curricular Practical Training (CPT)". Please consult with your advisor in the Harvard International Office (HIO) if you have further questions about this topic.

Employment
To be considered CPT, the work must not only be related to your major field of study but must also be an integral part of an established curriculum. Employment experience that is required for all students by your degree program always meets the requirements for CPT, regardless of whether you receive academic credits for your work. Employment experience which is not required by your degree program may meet the requirements for CPT if you receive academic credits arising from the employment experience.

Eligibility
There are two ways in which you can become eligible for CPT. Each faculty at Harvard and each degree program within that faculty has different requirements that would affect your eligibility. It is advisable to speak with your academic advisor or registrar about the options outlined below before meeting with your advisor in the HIO.

1) Employment that is a required part of your degree program

This requirement must be formally documented in school publications. Undergraduate students must have completed one academic year of full-time study in order to be eligible for any form of CPT. Graduate students may apply for CPT prior to completing one year of full-time study if the degree program requires that the training begin in the first semesters of school. Three requirements must be met for you to work in a job that is a required part of your degree program. You must:

have an appropriate job offer
maintain lawful F-1 visa status
demonstrate that the proposed employment is a requirement for your degree program

2) Employment that is not required, but is for academic credit

CPT for academic credit could include training courses such as a field studies course or an internship. The training program must be listed in the school's catalogue with the number of credits and the name of the faculty member teaching the course. There should also be a description of the course with the course objectives clearly defined. Four requirements must be met to be eligible for employment that is not a required part of your degree program. You must:

have an appropriate job offer
maintain lawful F-1 visa status
complete at least one academic year as a full-time student
demonstrate that you will receive academic credits arising from the proposed employment experience

How much CPT time do I have?

There is no limit to the amount of CPT time you may have, as long as you continue to meet all of the requirements. You may engage in full-time or part-time CPT. However, if you use more than 12 months of full-time CPT, you will not be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.

Which type of CPT is best for me?

Part-time CPT:

Employment for 20 hours or less per week is considered part-time CPT. The employment authorization written on the last page of your Form I-20 should therefore 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 authorized part-time CPT, and part-time CPT will not affect your OPT after graduation. You must continue to register as a full-time student making normal progress towards the degree in order to maintain lawful F-1 status.

Full-time CPT:

Employment for more than 20 hours per week is considered full-time curricular practical training and is only permitted during official university vacation periods or after all course work has been completed except for the thesis. The employment authorization on your Form I-20 should, in this case, specify permission to participate in full-time training. You may receive up to twelve months of full-time CPT without affecting any OPT available to you after graduation. While there is no limit to the amount of full-time CPT you may use, if you use more than 12 months of full-time CPT you will not be eligible for OPT after graduation. While in full-time CPT you need not be a full-time student. However, you must continue to be a registered student making normal progress towards the degree in order to maintain lawful F-1 status.

Application and authorization procedures
Once you get a job offer, you need to register for the CPT eligible course at your school if your employment is done for academic credit. Then you should make an appointment with your advisor in the HIO via our online appointment system so that your situation and the proposed employment opportunity can be evaluated. Your HIO advisor will make certain that both you and the job meet the eligibility requirements. When you come to the HIO for your appointment be sure to bring the following documentation:

your current Form I-20 and I-94 card
the formal documentation from your school (as described in "Eligibility" items 1 and 2)
a confirmation of enrollment form from your school registrar's office (this could be in the form of a valid I.D.)
a job offer letter from your employer on the organization's letterhead stationery stating the following:
a description of the proposed employment
the number of hours per week to be worked
the start and end dates of employment
the address of the employer

Your HIO advisor will then authorize either part-time or full-time CPT on your Form I-20. You must be careful not to continue employment beyond the date authorized on your Form I-20 unless you apply for and are granted an extension of your permission to work.

Employment eligibility verification
When you begin working, you and your employer must complete a form entitled Employment Eligibility Verification (USCIS Form I-9), which the employer retains. You will be required to show that CPT has been authorized on your Form I-20. You will also be required to have a social security number. For more information, please contact the HIO.